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Review of the Hunter 34 by Bob Hinely

Year built 1985  
Location of boat South Carolina  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 1999  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. I bought GRACE from the original owners, who had lived aboard her for 11 years. We were looking for a well-cared for, inexpensive live aboard boat and the H34 was perfect.  
Gear that's been added The PO had already replaced plastic ports with stainless ones from Island Packet, added a propane hot water heater, Force 10 bulkhead heater and range, added an inner stay with boomed, self-tacking staysail, and numerous other improvements, plus sailed her to Bermuda from Florida.Other additions include teak companionway doors, stainless handrails, a stripe instead of teak eyebrows, manual anchor windlass, 16K heat pump, 15K inverter, replaced all gate valves with true seacocks, custom cabinetry, new interior lighting, mattress in quarterberth, and the list continues.  
Structural or complex improvements EVERY thing turns out to be complex!  
The boat's best features Interior room, dependable engine  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. All of the 1985 OEM plumbing, especially thru hulls. There was a gasket used, vice sealant. This was a surprise. Water trapped in the inner pan, causing sole rot. This happened in the galley, and forward of the head.  
Sailing characterisitcs We live aboard, so we don't go out a lot. When we do, we avoid following seas, winds over 15 knots, and bad weather in general. And we're usually gone for a few weeks.  
Motoring characterisitcs The Yanmar is as dependable as they get. Add a big Racor, and flush your heat exchanger periodically. Run it as close to WOT as often as possible. Add a three blade prop, HUGE difference.  
Liveability Just what we were looking for.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I work in the marine industry, and the customer service department at Hunter is one of the best. Also, they survived the 80's-90's, and that says something about the company.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any n/a  
Other comments Anybody wanna trade an old, beat-up Passage 42 for a pristine 34?  

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