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Review of the Hunter 430 by Dr. Dennis Brittain

Year built 1996  
Location of boat Newport, OR  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1996  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, but not from the dealer I bought it from.  
Gear that's been added RadarAutopilot (2) Chartplotters(3) VHF's (3) GPS'sST WindDiesel 12v furnace with heat exchanger for domestic hot waterMOM 8 moduleLifeslingAsymetrical spinnakerSymetrical spinnakerHarkin traveller systemHam radio 2meterEpirbGPS repeaterHeart E meters Link 20SW pump with runs to a galley sink sprayer and anchor locker faucetFW faucet in anchor locker Amway water filterFW sprayer at galley sinkDucting for Gen-set and aux compartment venting overboardComputer muffin fans for air circulation 300 foot of HT anchor chainPerformance Rigid VangBlocks for outboard sheetingSolar / battery vent doradesJack linesDingy davitsREI collapsable soft chairs!  
Structural or complex improvements See "430 Warnings" posted in forum.Mounting Harkin's traveller thru the arch with those leads being turned thru blocks on the inside of the arch.  
The boat's best features Solid ride in rough conditions.Lots of room aboard for guests(when duty calls)Fast for its size and with the condo style amenities.The well thought out size for the salon and the aft cockpit.The forward head area is the place used for showering and wet gear. It cleans up easily.Ease of single handing or two person sailing.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The usual Hunter leak problems on their line covers (Fiberglas panels topsides)Too small of screws on those panels as well as the leak problems with that..Being able to get to the stuffing box to make adjustments.Lack of good companionway steps. I.e. too narrow.No compartment venting outside for gen-set or aux engine.Too small of races for wire runs as well as no adequet races to pedistal where all the needed electronics are to be mounted.  
Sailing characterisitcs All conditions from gales to becalmed offshore. Raced head on in gales with 12-16 foot seas and surfed downwind with 18 foot seas. Most typical has been 15-25 knots of wind in 6-10 foot seas.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motored 200 miles so far with only one complaint of the antisyphon purging SW all the time. I ended up running a hose to the bildge to avoid rusting my engine up.  
Liveability Very Nice!The furnace really helps us locally.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Very helpful. Believe me I know what I talk about r.e. the repair work that was done and their help with trying to keep me satisfied despite the dealer.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bad. Lack competent personnel doing the yard work. Everything that was done had to be re-done by myself or anouther rigger. Very unprofessional. I'm surprised he  
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