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Review of the Hunter 35.5 by Phil Herring

Year built 1991  
Location of boat Seattle, WA  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1993  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, although I sold the boat three years ago, I still consider it perhaps the best sailing boat I've ever skippered.  
Gear that's been added Not too much - manual windlass for the oversized Bruce anchor, and a few other odds and ends.  
Structural or complex improvements No, sailed pretty much stock with normal northwest gear, like a dodger and BBQ.  
The boat's best features Sailing performance, interior room for a boat that size. It had a large convenient head, a huge aft cabin, and a good workable galley.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Holding tank was a constant problem. Only 20 gallons, and when it filled up the crud would creep up the vent line and dry, thereby stopping it up. It was then difficult to empty. In fact, it would only partially empty, meaniung it would fill even faster and repeat the whole process. Ultimately, the galvanized tank woudl weaken at the seams from the expansion/contraction and spring a leak. And if that wasn't bad enough, the vent which would fill up and overflow spilled sewage onto the aft swim platform. Not pretty. thank God for the shower back there.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sailed like a sports car. You could feel it accelerate in a gust. Very responsive and GREAT in light air. I always got a little overpower in heavy air, but then, my reefing lines were screwed up. I still miss sailing that boat; it was always a lot of fun.  
Motoring characterisitcs Underpowered for northwest currents andd the amount of motoring we do here. It was, however, easy to to back and handle in the marina.  
Liveability Excellent for a 35. Perhaps the best of any boat that size I've seen. Plenty of storage, big bunks, good galley, lots of light, and a nice, clean cockpit.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I had one problem with the boat that they handled promptly and at no cost to me.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any The broker (out of business now) was excellent as well.  
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