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Hunter OEM Parts
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Review of the Hunter 36_80-82 by Michael W. Jones
| Year built | 1980 |
| Location of boat | San Francisco |
| The boat is sailed on | Bays, sounds, or protected salt water |
| How the boat is used | Weekends and longer |
| Normal wind strength | 23-30 knots |
| Average size of crew | solo |
| Liveaboard? | Yes |
| Owner bought the boat in | 1998 |
| If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? | Yes! I love my DIAMOND BRIANNE. I would like a bigger boat once I go long distance cruising, but now that I am getting my refrigeration system into the old ice chest, new engine, all new electronics, auto pilot etc.,. I will be very happy for the next few years. Upon retirement and my plan to sail the seas for a few years before settling down to live an old man's life,...I will want a boat similar to the Gulfstar 47 or perhaps a little larger. The old 1970's vintage Gulfstars have the exact layout I want in a boat for extended cruising. One with two air conditioners, perhaps a bow thruster newgood sails and engines are all an old fart like me should want. I love the electronics of today. What fun and relief not to worry about running aground, hitting stuff or having stuff hit you! I don't know that the depth/fish finder will alarm if a big fish is heading my way!!!!!!!!! Have a nice day, Mike Jones |
| Gear that's been added | Yes! This year a new Yanmar 3 cylinder engine, a new 3 bladed propeller, a new shaft with dripless packing, a new Data Depth Finder system, a new Data Speed Log, a new Ray Marine C-70, and 3 new Harken Winches inaddition to a Force 10 cabin heater. I'm presently in the yard, been there for a week and hope work starts this week pulling rudder, old shaft and installing the new shaft/packing then I can drop my engine back in for the last time hopefully. |
| Structural or complex improvements | Not really. |
| The boat's best features | She points and sail better than the new 2003 Hunter 36s in my opinion. I took one of the new ones with all the space inside, lazy jacks, all new electronics and all new everything. My boat I think is faster, easier to sail and that is why I decided to spend the approximately 20K on my old boat since it is a good investment. Thanks to Club Nautics, I found the above info! |
| Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. | The boat heads up when the wind freshens. I found it's better than the new ones although the Junneau 52.2 handles better. |
| Sailing characterisitcs | Great boat in heavy weather except for the weather helm problem which apparently is common with Hunters. |
| Motoring characterisitcs | Motored fine on the old 2 cylinder Yanmar with two bladed prop. When I get the new Yanmar and 3 bladed prop going she should really go 8 knots or better since she used to do 7.3 in slack water with the old two cylinder 18 HP. The new 3 cylinder has 27 HP! |
| Liveability | Very nice for one person. Cabin heater, Ice chest converted over to refrigeration, microwave, 4 big batteries for power when not alongside the dock. Great boat! |
| The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) | N/A |
| The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any | Island Yachts in Alameda were nice to work with. |
| Other comments | Would not trade this one for an Islander 36! Don't know about the Catalina's. When I was searching back in the late 1990's I had thought the Catalina might be better. Never got a ride to find out! |
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