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Review of the Hunter 410 by John C. Van Wagoner

Year built 1998  
Location of boat Seabrook, Texas  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1998  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I would definitely buy the boat again. There is much to like on the Hunter 410.  
Gear that's been added I added a dodger, bimini attached to the arch, hatch covers and a companion-way cover, console cover, small line bags on the aft sides of the arch to hold the traveller adjustment lines. I also added a canvas cover over the engine gauges on the arch. I added a zinc fish on a no. 10 wire. One end of the wire is attached to the engine block, the other has a male connector fed into the port cockpit locker. In port, I connect the female end on the zinc to the male end and lower the zinc in the water.  
Structural or complex improvements No major improvements. Each weekend I bring a half dozen locker access panels home and paint the backsides and edges with epoxy paint. I also sealed all plywood sole edges in the main cabin that were unsealed with epoxy resin. These unsealed edges are just waiting to absorb water and delaminate the plywood. I tied soft wood plugs to each thru hull. I took off all plywood access panels and varnished the unfinished back sides. I took special care to do the ones in the head areas well; they are exposed to shower water. I went through the boat carefully and added washers and nuts to all bolts that were not fastened, even though some were threaded into aluminum plates. I found some that were not threaded or fastened. Finally, I hinged the access panel into the underside of the propane locker so that no sharp, pointed screws were present in this area. Those screws could puncture the propane hose in a rough sea. I attached the hinges with small bolts and finished off with acorn nuts.  
The boat's best features A solid, rigid hull. Very strong. Well laid out and comfortable. I feel very secure in this boat. The rig is strong. I like the hardware and anchoring arrangement. Great engine and good engine access. I am beginning to like the arch. A great way to secure the end of the boom. The cockpit is well designed. I was worried that I wouldn't have a place to brace my feet in a blow, but in 25-28 knots this hasn't been a problem. The boat sails with little heal as long as you pay attention to the sail area for the wind strength.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The cockpit sole flexes too much. Some stringers need to be glassed in. The cockpit console is not rigid.. to much wobble, even when tightened. The wires from the cockpit console run through a PVC pipe that is almost impossible to access, hence caulk. Rain gets into the console, runs down the wires, and you get a major leak into the cabin. Reposition the PVC tube so that it can be caulked from above easily. I solved the problem by shooting closed cell aerosol foam into the PVC tube with some contortionist moves. The foam expanded 50% and seems to have fixed the problem. Put nuts and washers on all bolts that penetrate the deck or cabin top. I know the argument about the plates etc, but the addtional fasteners add strength. Make the stanchion attachments below decks accessible. Some day they are going to leak and it is going to be a hard job accessing the bolts to rebed those suckers. Seal the edges of all cut plywood to prevent water absorption. And coat the back side of plywood locker lids,especially those in the cockpit lockers. The cockpit lockers leak.  
Sailing characterisitcs I have owned a Cape Dory 25D, Southern Cross 31, and a bingham 28. This boat outperforms them all (not a big suprise). But it also stands up to a blow as well, also. That was more suprising to me. The boat sails well in light air, goes to windward well (tacks through 80 degrees), and heals very little in winds up to 30 knots (sailing with jib only). The boat is dry and powerful. It tracks well and has suprisingly little leeway, considering the height of the topsides. The cockpit feels very safe in strong winds.  
Motoring characterisitcs The boat motors very well. At 2500 rpms I can make 6-6.5 knots. There is minimal vibration and it backs down well. I still have the factory installed 2-blade prop. It freewheels unless I lock the transmission into reverse. If I do that, it is impossible to shift back into neutral to start the engine. I am looking into a shaft lock, a folding 3-blade prop, or stopping the freewheeling prop by hand before I shift into reverse. I did this once and shifting into neutral later was smooth. Anyway, I need to experiment more with this aspect of the engine.  
Liveability Excellent. Without a doubt, one of the best liveaboard boats anywhere, especially for the price and size.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) the customer service guys at Hunter are excellent. REALLY OUTSTANDING. Having Hunter back up their product as they do adds a lot of value to the boat, in my opinion. I have had a couple of problems (for example, no return air vent on my aft aircon unit) and Hunter has been great. They also really want feedback about the boat. I am sure that any problem with the boat will be quickly and expertly handled. Jeff Browning is a credit to Hunter marine.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any the dealers prep has been spotty. Some things were done well, other things done poorly. But when I needed some help, Pam at Ship and Sail was very efficient and courteous. I have no doubt that Ship and SAil will help me in every way they can. I just feel that i need to keep on top of whatever work they do.  
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