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Review of the Hunter 430 by Peter Burger

Year built 1975  
Location of boat Clearwater, Florida  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
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 1995  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely!!!!!!!!  
Gear that's been added Chartplotter, davits  
Structural or complex improvements Yes. For some strange reason, the windlass was so positioned that the rode was fed into a space just forward of the forward head, and what undoubtedly was the REAL anchor well. In that confined space was no provision to hose down the rode, an absolutely vital need when we anchor out almost every weekend. When we took delivery, we had the yard glass in a chute, to feed the rode into what was clearly intended to be the anchor well. Works like a charm. But I notice that in spite of notification to the factory, subsequent 430's, even up to the end of the series, still had this design fault.  
The boat's best features Sailing performance, ease of handling (I can even single-handle it when I do charters), and in spite of all the comments, we love the arch, and the ability to have all of our instruments neatly in front of us, and clearly visible-also having our speakers and cockpit light there.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. See above comments regarding the anchor well.The jiffy reefing really doesn't work very well; too much friction in the various changes in direction that the reefing line has to take. Since we tend to resort to the motor when the wind really picks up, I've taken the second reef line, and use that to pull down the leach, and use the first reefing line to pull down the luff. One extra line, but it's simplified everything, and I now reef when I should, instead of always waiting too lone because it was such a pain.  
Sailing characterisitcs We sail usually in winds of under 25 knots or so - when the wind picks up beyond that, we tend to chicken out, drop the sails and rely on the iron genny. Under power, and in seas of up to eight to ten feet, the boat handles well and gives no problems, regardless of the direction of the wind or the seas. But most of our sailing is coastal, in the Gulf of Mexico.  
Motoring characterisitcs See above  
Liveability Works fine for us, but our time aboard is usually over a weekend, and once a year or so for eight or ten days. With the two heads, and two cabins, having four on board is no problem at all.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) We've had excellent experiences with all the Hunter people with whom we've come in contact. From Jim Bohart, in our initial factory tour, to the customer service people, all first class. Particular kudos go to Eddie Breeden and Mike Thomas - you couldn't ask for more helpful people; real assets to Hunter and a god-send to us customers.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Sailor's Wharf in St.Petersburg was our dealer. Have had good results with them, particularly with their yard. Jeff, and yard foreman, and his people are knowledgeable and very capable.  
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