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Review of the Hunter 31_83-87 by Paul and Carol Croy

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Dana Point, California  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1997  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. Although, like many owners, I would buy the newest and biggest Hunter I could afford.  
Gear that's been added Added Larger batteries, inverter, television, Ammeter, microwave, GPS/Plotter, Autohelm, Wind Instrument, man-overboard bouy/sttobe, AM/FM radio/cassette player, CD player, cockpit speakers, rigid boom vang, larger anchor/longer rode, roller furling, 155% genoa, pedistal guard, instrument pod and BBQ. We also replaced all safety gear, VHF, depth instrument, sails, cushions and sail covers.  
Structural or complex improvements The new battery and inverter system was quite a project. Also a big deal was the instrumentation, pod [enclosure] and pedistal guard.  
The boat's best features It is big and confortable inside and sails very fast. It is easy to sail and points very well. The Yanmar 2GMF engine is reliable and trouble free.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The hardware on the interior woodwork [door knobs, deck pulls, etc.] is prone to breakage, screws stripping out, etc.  
Sailing characterisitcs Points very well. Fast sailor. It is not as tender as I was told it would be when I first bought, it's about average. No excessive weather helm, if the sails are properly balanced. The high freeboard makes landings difficult when the wind is from the wrong direction.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motoring is a frequent event, expecially mid-summer or almost any early morning. Boat cruises at about 6.2 knots in dead air. A strong headwind can bring the boat speed down to 4.7 knots or do.  
Liveability The boat is very confortable for 2 or 4 people. Up to 7 people can sleep aboard, but with more aboard, it becomes more and more crowded and the head fills quickly. It would be nice to have the opening to the stern like the newer Hunters have.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) They were very willing to help, understood my problem and provided their best advice.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Seaforth Yatch Sales in Mission Bay, San Diego, Calif. handled the sale and were very helpful and friendly. They helped us get the stuff we needed initially to get going and helped arrange the haul-out when we did the survey prior to purchase. It was good to have a contact in a strange harbor during the six weeks we kept the boat at Mission Bay for refit and refurbishment of this older boat. Seaforth remained very helpful even after the purchase was completed and they had no real obligation to be so.  
Other comments  

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