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Review of the Hunter 25_73-83 by Dennis Bidney

Year built 1980  
Location of boat Saylorville Lake, IA  
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? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2002  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. This spring I jumped in and bought 'Breezin' having never owned a boat of any kind or sailed a minute in my life. I have learned to sail by experience and while during the first few weeks I felt like I was out of control all the time - after a while I became familiar with the characteristics of the boat and have learned how stable and protective it really is.  
Gear that's been added Just a new depth sounder  
Structural or complex improvements Nope - it's pretty stock with a standard main and a 110 jib - that's it  
The boat's best features Easy to sail solo. Handles higher winds with reefed sails well. 9.9 hp outboard moves it along nicely and I like the center transom mount. Have found out about the "Cherubini" design heritage - that was a bonus. I always thought the boat looked a little more elegant compared with, say, the 25.5's, but I guess there is a reason for that. I am completely pleased - given that I have no other points of reference concerning other similar sized sailboats.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. There is a headroom issue in the cabin. There is a fair amount of weather helm - which I actually don't mind, but I can see where that might bother some. I haven't tuned the rigging or been concerned with mast rake etc. as I obtained the boat "assembled". I'll do something about that next year to see if the characterisitcs are altered. I have some small leakage in the cabin lockers that I can't figure out where it is coming from. Tiller is a bit long (comes in handy on higher wind days) and takes up much of the cockpit area. I wish the bilge pump was not plumbed to the rear of the cockpit to drain down the cockpit drain. It has puke up on my shoes a couple of times. Minor irritation.  
Sailing characterisitcs Starting out from zero I found that the boat could take good care of me while I made my mistakes. It wants to turn into the wind badly when you're hitting 30-40 degrees of heel - the most I've seen is ~47 as it was rounding up into the wind. I have split the tiller trying to fight the weather helm - a nice epoxy repair took care of that. Once I got over my fears - this boat has been pure pleasure. Since it is trailerable, next year we are going to the Great Lakes to see how it goes in some bigger water.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motors fine with the 9.9 hp under Midwest lake conditions. I have notice after running hard the bilge tends to accumulate water and the pump pukes up into the cockpit drain more often.  
Liveability I have spent nights out on it. No problems. I think 2 people for a week with stops for porta-potty attention and ice would work ok. I'll test that out up at Lake Superior next year.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No dealings  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any No dealings  
Other comments Great boat - I'm as happy as a clam  

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