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Review of the Hunter 280 by Mike Kinney

Year built 1996  
Location of boat Matagorda bay  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1995  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. I have really enjoyed this boat and it has been an excellent transition from sailing smaller boats.  
Gear that's been added I have added some items that have made sailing more safe and comfortable: GPS, autopilot, bimini, bottom paint, air conditioner, cabin fans, instruments.  
Structural or complex improvements Not really  
The boat's best features substantial cabin room, fast sailing boat, very seaworthy, large head, swim platform, absence of backstay allows for a huge bimini, she loves to go to windward  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. can be difficult to sail down wind because of swept back spreaders; none of the gauges work (waste, fuel, water);  
Sailing characterisitcs I've sailed this boat almost 2,000 n.m. My most recent trip was a one week, 450 n.m. offshort/inshore cruise. With two crew who had never sailed offshore, I sailed offshore from Matagorda Bay to South Padre Island. This is a beat all the way down and was about 250 n.m. in length including the tacking and effects of a foul current. The offshore leg lasted about 48 hours including 2 nights and parts of 3 days. Waves varied from about 2 to 6 feet with 3 feet being the most common. Both my crew and I were impressed with the way the 280 handled all of the conditions. We averaged about 5 knots over the water and the autopilot drove the entire distance. I thought the motion of the boat was very comfortable (in fact I managed to sneak a shower each night while one crew was sleeping and the other was driving). The only casualties we suffered during the trip were substantial chaffing on the main halyard where it goes around the pulley at the top of the mast and a small hole in the top of the bimini where the boom hit it a couple of times going through the jetties (where the wave action was very impressive). The only real problems we experienced were in finding places to sleep. There are really no sea berths. However, because we were on port tack most of the time, one person could sleep comfortably in the large aft berth. Another was forced to use the starboard side of the settee which is less than an ideal length. On starboard tack, only the port side of the settee made a decent berth; thus, only one person could sleep comfortably. On the return trip we joined a smaller boat from our sailing club and sailed up the ICW. On this leg the wind was well aft, and often times, was directly aft. Under these conditions, the inability to let the main out bothered us at times. We had trouble keeping the main out of the spreaders. My solution was to double reef the main. this allowed us to keep the main from chaffing on the spreaders while opening the angle somewhat. The return trip consumed four days and we sailed about 50 n.m. per day. We spent one night at anchor and the others in marinas along the way. All in all this was a very enjoyable trip and my 280 held up to the challenges. My crew were impressed with the boat and had a great first experience in offshore sailing.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have the 18 horse Yanmar and just love it. It can push the boat at about 5.7 knots at 2500 RPMs and do so all day long on just a few gallons of diesel. It starts every time and runs very smoothly. The helm is very responsive under power and once you start making sternway, even in reverse the boat is very controllable. I can use the swim platform to enter and leave the boat; thus, having the ability to back into the slip is important.  
Liveability I've added two cabin fans to the one that came with the boat and I have added the hatch air conditioner made by CruiseAir. With this equipment, the interior of the boat is very comfortable (Texas Gulf Coast is hot). My wife appreciates the large, private head and the spacious ice box. We both enjoy the big table.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Haven't dealt directly with Hunter.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments  

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