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Review of the Hunter 35.5 by Pat Spino

Year built 1990  
Location of boat Marathon Key, FL enroute from to Bahamas  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Definitely! The following in an addendium to a previous review - four years later.  
Gear that's been added 1. Auto Helm 4000 Plus. 2. Air Conditioning/Heat. 3. JRC 1500 Radar on transom mounted ss pole w/dinghy motor lift by Garhauer Marine. 4. Rutland 913 Wind Generator on transom mount ss pole by Garhauer Marine. 5. General Ecology Seagull IV water purification system allowing drinking directly from tank. 6. Link 10 battery monitor system. 7. Snake River Acu-Gage. 8. Shakespeare SeaWatch TV antenna. 9. Garmin GPS76 wired direct and feeding information to Autohelm 4000 and Radar via the NEMA in/out. 10. Standard Horizion VHF with RAM mic. 11. Engine hour meter. 12. High output Balmar alternator with smart regulator. 13. Micro wave oven. 14. Honda 2000 portable generator.  
Structural or complex improvements 1. Radar and wind generator mentioned above. 2. 12000 btu air conditioner/heater mentioned above. 3. Replaced original aluminum holding tank with larger (20 gal) plastic tank by Todd. It was necessary to cut out an access "hatch" in ther aft cabin bulkhead. It was also necessary to make some positioning modifications to the Adlar-Barber compressor located in the same compartment. It had to be raised about 6" up on its own platform in order to accomodate the installation of the holding tank. 4. Replaced original Racor 110 fuel filter located under aft bunk with Racor 500 turbo series located in transom locker. 5. Replaced Yanmar fuel lift pump and all fuel hoses. 6. Replaced four 27 series wet cell deep cycle house batteries with three 31 series wet cell deep cycles. 7. Relocated the house batteries to the upper level of the aft cockpit lockers to facilitate servicing and making electrical connections. 8. Replaced the Hood line continuous loop drive furling drum with Hood's replacement single line drive unit.  
The boat's best features 1. Maneuverability both under power and under sail. 2. Very comfortable cockpit. 3. Very pleasing and comfortable interior. 4. Plenty of storage. 5. Terrific aft caben. 6. Large head/shower. 7. I like having the Dutchman system.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. 1. Holding Tank. 2. Location of the overboard waste discharge valve. 3. Location of the holding tank vent. 4. Original Hood line drive furling unit. 5. The bat needs a larger fuel tank if used for extended cruising. 6. Had to replace the electric head macerator pump and the fresh water pump, however, these would be considered normal replacements.  
Sailing characterisitcs 1. When first purchased the boat contained sever weather helm. I found that by tuning the rig and tensioning the backstay the weather helm all but disappeared. 2. The boat tacks on a dime and is VERY maneuverable. The fractional rig makes tacking very fast and easy. Ditto regarding furling/unfurling/reefing (once the Hood line drive unit was replaced.) 3. She sails very fast off the wind. I have experienced 12.9 knots (GPS) in 35 knots of wind on the quarter while sailing up the New Jersey coast. There was no tendency to broach!  
Motoring characterisitcs 1. Great maneuverability, even with the original two bladed prop: even in reverse! 2. The Yanmar 3gm30 is a great little engin. We are currently engaged in a Bahamas trip via the Flordia keys; in 1500 miles of motoring (with occasionaL sail assist) we experienced no problems.  
Liveability Very comfortable.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Dealing with Hunter has been nothing short of fabulous!  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments  

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