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Review of the Hunter 40 by Don Carnes

Year built 1990  
Location of boat Kemah, Texas  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Racing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 5-6  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes!  
Gear that's been added Everything from furler, sails, prop, lifelines alternator, charger, batteries, autopilot, instruments, repeaters @ helm, chartplotter @ helm, etc. Too much to list, but interested persons can check out more detail in the owners directory.  
Structural or complex improvements Reinforced Rudder Column  
The boat's best features An excellent tradeoff between comfort and speed. A great cruiser and more than comoetitive for racing.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. No problems to report. Requires regular maintenance as with all boats, but everything works and she goes like hell in any kind of breeze.  
Sailing characterisitcs Extremely well balanced helm when the sails are trimmed correctly. Can get overpowered in a heavy breeze, but that is what the reef points are for.  
Motoring characterisitcs Handles extremely well with the 18" Feathering Maxprop. I used to get a little squeamish when entering or leaving the slip with the original 2-blade fixed prop. Now you think you are driving a power boat, even in reverse. This alone makes the investment well worth the $$$'s.  
Liveability Adequate but comfortable. My knock would be the small waste holding capacity and the small fresh water tank on the 1990 year model. When the waste tanks were relocated for this year model, the fresh water tank was downsized.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No experience in this regard.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I bought the boat through Windward Sea Ventures, which I have no hesitation in classifying as an excellent broker that I would highly recommend.  
Other comments Terrific boat. I would love to move up to the new 46' Hunter, but I am afraid I would regret that decision. The 40' Legend is an all around performance cruiser and I enjoy racing her every chance I get. In fact, I just won 1st in class and 1st in fleet in this years Regata De Amigos. I believe this is the first time a Hunter has ever garnished this distinction. This is a 600 mile race from Galveston, Texas to Vera Cruz, Mexico. I regularly trounce on my competition in the local club races, which include several Beneteaus, an assortment of Hunters, and a Cal 40 that are worth mentioning. The Cal was my biggest headache until I got the new sails and feathering prop. The Beneteau's are a piece of cake. If i don't beat them outright, I just stay close and they give me time.  

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