Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Contact us
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 18.5 by Sandra Young

Year built 1996  
Location of boat Acton Lake, Near Oxford, OH  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, I would. We had another older boat trying to learn to sail and not getting to much progress. The hunter has been better for learning. It's ust the right size for our lake and for us  
Gear that's been added Planning to put organizers on soon so all sheets lead to deck. We changed the gas motor for an elecric one. - Call it the egg beater. Cleaner, quieter and all we need to get in and out of crowded docks.  
Structural or complex improvements We put a rubber protector on the bow because the docks at Acton lake are rotten and the bumpers fall off sometines.  
The boat's best features It is very easy to sail. Even one person can do it. Its a great boat to learn on because it really can't capsize. We don't want to race, just daysail and build skills for cruising. Also, I have a "chubby Hubby" King size man and that's no problem on this boat. It's small enough for even a small lake, but could take on larger waters (with a gas engine for backup, I guess.) If you stay out too long, you have the nice cabin to get out of the sun. Kids could nap and so can our dog.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The mast neads more cleats - or under the mast on the deck. We sometimes get a tangle of spagetti there unless we don't know how to tie things up correctly. Wish the potty was over to one side to hide it better and easier to get more privacy while using. Don't use it much tho. The battens - we have shaved them down several times. They seem to be too tight and I cant find any info on how they are to work exactly. I would change these to shorter ones that don't go all the way to the mast.  
Sailing characterisitcs We have a small lake with varried winds - both in strength and direction. We have to change sail set a lot and tack a lot. That's fun and good practice. Often we get a good strong steady wind and we really have fun. We don't hike out as much as we used to because we can control the sails better now.  
Motoring characterisitcs We changed to electric motor because we only need it to get in and out if the dock is crowded. Sometimes we just have to give it a shove and inertia takes it out far enough to raise the sails and go. Several times, I have sailed right into the dock and just braked by backing the sails. - that makes me feal like a real pro.  
Liveability Two could sleap in there fine. Two small kids and a well behaved dog wouldn't crowd too much. It would be like tent camping almost, but could be fun. We just daysail, but someday may camp in it. When 2-4 are sailing its great for storing food and fishing equipment no problem with lots of room for getting out of the sun or kids to nap. i would never cook on that little stove. I saw a boat blow up from a gas leak and that was bad. It would be awkward with hot pots etc. We usually only want cold stuff, but we have thermoses and 12 vold cooler-warmer if we want hot stuff. If I was camping on it I'd use heater meals. If there was a rail on the side I'd use a grill that clamped on, but no rail on the 18.5 = maybe I'd clamp it on the ladder.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I can't find how to do that. Thought you had to go through the dealer.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any We got it used and at a premium price. Now that we know more about sailboats we could get one a little cheaper on ebay.  
Other comments We love it.  

Contact
About
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Limited Liability
Advertise Here
Copyright 1997-2024 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.

Other Sailboat Owners web sites:
CatalinaOwners.com | HunterOwners.com | MacgregorOwners.com | OdayOwners.com | SailboatOwners.com | 10,000 Boat Names |