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Review of the Hunter 40 by Peter Jackson

Year built 1986  
Location of boat Victoria, Vancouver Island  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? It's a boat at a price. All boats are a compromise. It has great pounts and lousy one's too. Difficult to do better for the money although I would not consider a new one under any circumstances.  
Gear that's been added A lot of gear has been added. Little of it frivolous. Ranges from chart plotters and SSB to CD player and bulkhead furnace. Wll be adding a wind generator this winter and would love to add the Hydrovane. Usual canvas additions.  
Structural or complex improvements The nav station has been re-designed with it's own seat and storage. The entire interior of the boat has been lined with yellow cedar strips to get rid of that disgusting grey interior carpet stuff. The boat has been converted to propane. Can't get CNG anywhere in our area. Forward head has been converted to storage and wet locker. Would benefit from another bow roller. Stainless "guards" have been added forward of the mast on deck to prevent the jenny sheets from fouling. The upper bushing has been replaced on the rudder as it just "gave out" at an inopportune time. We found the top of the rudder to be less than fair...even abrasive. Mr.West fixed that !!  
The boat's best features Liveability. Plenty of space if used judiciously. She's a relatively "dry" boat to weather other than the leaks!!! (Hatches) The decks are nice and wide so the boat is easy to move around on. She looks like a boat. Not all plastic and arches.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. All boats give problems....it's their nature. There are serious and significant design flaws in this model in my opinion. Most of the tanks are inaccessible particularly the aft holding tank. It's almost a refit just to get at it. The port lights seem to have been designed by a dyslexic as used in this model. It is impossible for them to drain due to the slope of the coachroof. They need to be all replaced with flush fittings. The anchor windlass should be on deck not in the well as there is not enough room for chain to fall from the windlass into the storage locker. Creates jams on the windlass. Open shelves are useless in any boat. They belong in an RV. Shelves less than the width of a book are doubly useless. All tanks should have reliable sensors fitted as standard. Two main hatches leak like sieves. Wiring ductwork should be oversized. Owners are always adding "stuff." Have to remember.....it's a sailboat!! I've added grab handles all over the place. The "swept back" spreaders prevent true downwind sailing. The main should have extra reinforcemnt where it comes into contact with the main spreaders. This often occurs and you don't have to be too far off the wind. These spreaders also contribute to easy fouling of the main halyard when downing the main in a real blow. Careful attention has to be taken here.  
Sailing characterisitcs From flat calm to 30 knots over the deck pounding to weather in 12' seas. The boat feels secure although should be reefed quite early. She will drive quite easily under either main or jenny individually....bit of a boon to a solo sailor feeling lazy.  
Motoring characterisitcs The Yanmar 40 is just great (touch wood) She drives the boat well...perhaps assisted somewhat by the three blade Cambell prop. Never any need to go over 2600rpm. She burns hardly any oil and does not smoke. Like most sail boats she has a mind of her own in reverse but that might well be the driver !!  
Liveability Good liveaboard!! For two that is.....no more. Constant head problems!! Lack of accessibility the "design" flaw....in my opinion.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Haven't had the pleasure yet. Coming though.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Most dealers don't seem have enough info on the older boats. They tend to focus, understandably of course, on the sale of new boats. A Hunter Forum on older boats might be a suggestion rather than just an owners group....particularly as it relates to improvements and/or sourcing.  
Other comments Don't like the new ones but that's personal taste. Like a boat to look like a boat not an RV. All boats should have detailed structural, electrical and plumbing schematics available to owners......particularly as boats get older and more complex. Manufacturers would like repeat business. Good support and information would serve to work towards this end.  

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