Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 30_88-94 by John Thompson

Year built 1989  
Location of boat LBYC Louisville, KY  
The boat is sailed on Rivers  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1990  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, moved up from a 1980 Hunter 25.  
Gear that's been added SeaTalk Tri-data and Wind instruments.155% genoa.Spinnaker gear and spinnaker.Permanent battery charger.Added full battens to main.Bimini and Dodger.Coldmachine refrigeration.  
Structural or complex improvements No  
The boat's best features This is a big 30 foot boat.The aft cabin is large and comfortable.Swim step and ladder are easy to use and is a safety factor in getting a person back on board the boat.Easy boat to single-hand.None pressurized alcohol stove works fine and is another safety feature.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The outboard bow lights don't last very long when you put the bow against the walls of the local locks. I replaced with a single split bow light mounted under the bow seat.More gauges are needed in the cockpit (fuel, water temperature, oil pressure).I removed the V-berth doors, as they were always in the way.There is not much storage on this boat, so we use the V-berth for storage. I removed the cushions and put in plastic milk cartons to keep the stuff separated.When we have guests aboard, they sleep in the main salon on the drop down table.  
Sailing characterisitcs We get to take evening sails since we are very close to the river.We do club racing, weekend cruising, and have spent as long as two weeks on the boat at a time. The boat sails very fast in 20-30 knots that we get on occasion. Normally we sail in the dreaded 5-10 range, which around here usually means zero.When flying the spinnaker, the boat digs in well and is easy to keep under the sail.  
Motoring characterisitcs We only motor when we have to get somewhere, or get out of the way of a barge.Have had no trouble with the engine, which seems to push the boat as fast as her waterline will allow.  
Liveability Idea living accommodations for two people for any length of time.Handles four people fine on an overnight basis.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Little occasion to deal with Hunter directly, but the factory people have helped me in a friendly and courteous manner.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought the boat from a large Hunter dealer at Kentucky Lake Sails. I'm happy with them.  
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