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Review of the Hunter Vision-32 by Rodger Beard

Year built 1990  
Location of boat Dana Point, California  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1999  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, definitely. Very well engineered boat overall with high marks for comfort, weekend cruising and safety. I think my wife loves the boat as much as I do. I race fairly regularly and do wish that the Vision 32 was more fairly rated by our PHRF region. In winter the winds often approach 20 knots and Attitude Adjustment just flys. Boy can this boat point! But during much of the year the winds are well under 10 knots and I sit at the rear of the fleet, especially going downwind. I think my class handicap of 165 is too low for downwind. 190 would be more like it.  
Gear that's been added Electronics: Furino color chartplotter and Ray Marine wind direction/speed (both tied into the existing Furino radar and Autohelm 4000), True Charge "smart" battery charger (big improvement!), new cockpit radio, small color TV. New sails: High end UK Sail Tapedrive Gold, both main (w/12" roach) and 129% jib, as well as 3/4 ounce gennaker and whisker pole. Other: folding prop, new dodger and bimini, front anchor mount, inflatible dingy Haul Out: Had the boat sanded down to fiberglass and a total of 7 coats of primer and paint applied. No blisters. Replaced safety lines and have done other routine maintenance including replacing the head outflow line (calcium buildup) but no major repairs yet. (Knock on wood!)  
Structural or complex improvements I'm debating with the local PHRF board about increasing my headsail from a 8.3' "J" and 33' "I", to a 9.3' "J" and 37' "I". Will need to add a 1' bowspirit, then I'll have enough headsail to go downwind in light air compettively. Unfortunately PHRF says they'll drop my rating to 144! I hear that PHRF doesn't like the Vision's unstandard free standing rig.  
The boat's best features Big, roomy and quite well appointed cabin. Fit and finish is excellent. Best 32' layout I've seen. Friends think it's a 38'er inside. Good storage. Wife loves the galley, especailly the center island refrigerator w/integrated counter top.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I have leaks in the rear of the boat that I can't find. I run an electic fan (a dryer type appliance I bought at West Marine) in the aft berth that drys things out pretty well but mildew is still a problem. Wish the holding tank was bigger. 6 gallons just doesn't get it. I really struggle with getting the mainsail up and down (no electric winch which I understand was added for later model years). This makes single handing impractical - a serious shortfall in my opinion. Having a place to hang a radar reflector, a burgee or two and the like is a problem. Perhaps there's an accessory for this but I haven't come across it.  
Sailing characterisitcs As I say, the Vision really sails well in heavy air. I've sailed in 25 knots without reefing (as an experiment) and the boat handles well. I do 20 knots with a single reef and my wife brings the wine and cheese to the cockpit. Friends always comment favorably on the comfortable way the boat rides thru the surf and chop. While it points well and is very strong on a reach the Vision is too heavy (11400 pounds) to do well downwind in light air with the 129% jib I use most of the time. (and imagine, it came with a 100% jib...)  
Motoring characterisitcs Before I got the folding prop, the boat motored well enough (the motor is well insolated, yet easy to get to) but was on the slow side - around 6 knots at 3100 RPM. Since I got the folding prop (14x13) the boat does 6 1/2+ knots at 2700 RPM which is the speed I prefer to stay at on long runs like to Catalina (7 hours and the wind is always on out nose).  
Liveability The wife and I just finished spending 14 days on Attitude Adjustment while our house was being remodeled (our slip is 1 1/2 miles from the house). While a 32' is not really quite big enough for 2 to live aboard permanently, and in comfort, it was very, VERY nice for us during this extended stay. No question, this boat is very liveable!!!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I've ordered replacement parts and found Hunter interested and helpful. When I needed Yanmar parts they introduced me to the West Coast distributor and suggested a name to ask for.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought from a private owner after looking around for over 6 months. Talked with lots of broker/dealers up and down the coast. Some were helpful but frankly, most were not.  
Other comments A great boat and an excellent overall value, but one needs to have a thick skin, and not be bothered by occasional comments from other boaters who have more traditional rigs. I belong to a racing club and unless I'm careful, this can bug me once in a while.  

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