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Review of the Hunter 30_88-94 by Ron Honeycutt

Year built 1993  
Location of boat North Carolina  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1994  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I would probably buy this model again. If money was no issue I would have bought the 40.5 from Hunter.  
Gear that's been added Yes, battery charger, spinaker gear, more storage and Dodger.  
Structural or complex improvements I added a microwave shelf/drawers and doors for under setee storage areas so as to get to storage without taking cushions off.  
The boat's best features Walk through transom, overall size of salon and galley. Sailing controls and placement of winches allow solo sailing. The boat is easy to sail and a good preformer.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I have had leakage around 2 of the large lexan windows. I have also had blistering in the port aft section of the lower hull and a yellowing problem of the gelcoat. Hunter had responded positively in fixing the yellowing topsides and helped with the cost of the blister repairs. I have also had problems with the Hood furling system.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sailing the boat is predictable. It sails really well with full sails up through about 17 miles per hour. Above 17 miles/hour you have to reef to gain control and enjoy sailing. It high freeboard gives you a feeling of excess heeling once you pass 30 degrees of heel. The boat balances well provided you set the sails well. The hull needs to be kept clean to get maximum speed. Sailing downwind in stronger winds the boat wants to yawl a bit. Upwind it points better than 45 degrees. The fastest point of sail I have made was downwind with the gibe polled out at 7.1 knots. Upwind fastest point of sail was 6.6 knots. Beam reaches are most pleasurable points of sail. The boat responds well to tinkering with sails.  
Motoring characterisitcs The boat motors well once underway in forward. In reverse the boat is a little difficult to control until you have way going. I have a two blade prop and feel a three blade would solve this problem. For the size and weight of the boat the 18 hp. yanmar is a little undersize. A 27 hp would be the better size engine.  
Liveability The boat is well suited for two persons. It get quickly small with my family of 4 with all the toys etc. V berth is too tight for two adults. Back berth is better but a little shallow. The head is a little small and taking showers you have a lot of woodwork that gets wet. The boat also needs a shower sump. The bilge is wide but shallow and needs a larger bilge pump. The ice box is large but difficult for person under 5' 5" tall to get to the bottom back.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I have dealt with Hunter on two warranty claims. To date they have been very responsive and stood behind the product. I have been very satisfied with Hunter's warranty to date.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I bought the boat from a dealer. Overall I had a positive experience. It took much longer to get the boat commissioned than I would have liked.  
Other comments  

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