Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 40.5 by bob v

Year built  
Location of boat Charlotte Harbor, FL  
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 1998  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? absolutely...I'm very happy with the boat...I can't imagine a finer coastal cruiser.  
Gear that's been added first owner added: heart link 2000 inverter/charger, 6 golf cart batteries, high output alternator, Cruiseair ac/heat, 4 fans, cable tv system, tv/vcr, bimini/dodgeri've added: electric halyard winch, anchor windlass, dinghy davits, carbon fiber whisker pole (and car/track installed on mast), supplemental bladder fuel tank with pump, salt/fresh water manual foot pump, interior handholds  
Structural or complex improvements no  
The boat's best features fine sailing characteristics (fast, close-winded for a shoal draft boat, tracks well off the wind, reasonably stiff, light helm), easy to handle, great liveablity for weekends/vacations (roomy, light, and airy), very clever and user-friendly design  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. minor leak in mast step into the cabin; yanmar starting problem solved with addition of relay to starting circuit; I've added several handholds to the cabin and head.  
Sailing characterisitcs great sailing characteristics (see above)  
Motoring characterisitcs 50 hp Yanmar is quite powerful and is a safety feature; easy to control in reverse; under power she handles like a sports car; I plan to install a feathering 3-blade prop for better sailing and motoring performance.  
Liveability great (see above)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) parts department has been very cooperative  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any n/a  
Other comments