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Review of the Hunter 27_75-84 by Stollo770

Year built 1979  
Location of boat Brick, New Jersey  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2014  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely. She is a great boat, and a pleasure to sail. Not a day goes by that I look back on my decision to buy her with fondness.  
Gear that's been added So. Much. Stuff. New electrical infrastructure, new cabin lights, new microwave, new stove, new plumbing infrastructure, new faucets in kitchen and head, new fresh water pump, new bilge pump, new bilge alarm, new back-up bilge, new wooden floor, new wooden doors, new upholstery for interior cushions, new blankets and covers and pillows for interior cushions, new TV and internet system that can work 10 miles out to sea, new antennas for UHF radio and internet and FM radio, new toilet, new holding tank, new macerator and macerator lines, new steaming light, new anchor lights, new A/C outlets, icebox-to-refrigerator conversion, new stern davits, new dinghy, pedestal steering, outboard motor to help compensate for SB8's short comings, new gel-coat, new deck paint, new hull paint, re-built hatches, new running lights, new a/c inverter, new marine batteries, new marine battery charger/maintainer, new air conditioning system, new counter tops throughout, refinished all wooden surfaces, new dehumidifying system, and so much more I can't even remember it all. I've pretty much done everything to everything.  
Structural or complex improvements See the above question.  
The boat's best features The interior cabin is laid out fantastically; there is so much stuff packed so well into to such a confined space it easy to forget that the boat is only 27 feet. The boat also handles amazingly well. It is very easy to sail, is super stable even in bad weather, and is very forgiving.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The engine blew itself up twice. The first time was because the wiring harness fell onto the prop shaft, which promptly chewed through it resulting in a massive electrical fire and destruction of the starter and other engine electrical elements. The second time was because the water cooling loop in the engine got clogged with debris which resulted in critical overheating. The port lights also leak like crazy but I fixed them by cannibalizing the same ones off another 79' H27 that was being parted out. Other then a few days of engine work and the port lights, nothing else has really given me a problem.  
Sailing characterisitcs Stable and forgiving. She is a real pleasure to sail and can really take a beating. The allowable heel angle is also remarkable; I've had her over so far the rub rail was a quarter inch underwater and she never even flinched. There is a bit of weather helm and the desire to go to port while in reverse under engine power, but that's all easily compensated for.  
Motoring characterisitcs With the SB8: slow. When you increase the throttle it takes at least 10-20 seconds for the engine to reach the speed you requested. In heavy seas the engine struggles to keep forward momentum and in calm seas the engine's top speed is well under hull speed. However, the SB8 is reliable and runs like a watch despite all that happened to mine. It is also very easy to fix, maintain, and modify, which I have done many times. I added a little 8hp outboard to compensate for the SB8's lack of power and together they get the job done fantastically.  
Liveability It is roomy and I have filled my Hunter with many of the comforts and luxuries of home. However, it lacks a shower and significant space to exist in for long periods of time. I suppose I could live on the boat if I absolutely needed too, but it is best at short to moderate weekend cruises.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I have not. I bought my Hunter used from a man who's wife was fed up with sailing. I felt bad for him because the boat is so awesome.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments This boat is amazing. I have owned an O'day 30, a Catalina 25, and an O'day Daysailer. None of those boats can match the comfort, design excellence, sailing excellence and general perfection of my 1979 Hunter 27 Cherubini.  

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