Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Contact us
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 450 by JERRY ZASLAW

Year built 1977  
Location of boat AMRINA DEL REYS CAL  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1977  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? YES I WOULD BUY THE BOAT AGAINS BUT WOULD PROBABLY WAIT FOR THE INITIAL BUGS AND CHANGES TO OCCUR. WOULD RATHER HAVE HAD YANMAR THAT IS NOW OFFERED INSTEAD OF VOLVO. AND REFRIGERATION CONDENSATION AND BROKEN LATCHES ARE REALLY GETTING OLD.  
Gear that's been added RATHEON 10XX RADARS GARMIN 220 GPSS HAM RADIOS AND PREPAING FOR LINK 2000 AND HI OUTPUT ALT. BOAT HAD 9KW KOHLER GEN---WHICH BY THE WAYS I AM TOLD DOES NOT-I REPEAT--NOT-- HAVE THE ZINC WHICH IS SHOWN IN THE OWNERS MANUAL.  
Structural or complex improvements NO  
The boat's best features HUNTER 450 IS GREAT INTERIOR AND IS EASILY HANDLED BY MYSELF AND MY WIFE. IT HAS GREAT SAILING CHARACTERISTICS IN BOTH LIGHT AND HEAVY WINDS AND MOVEMENT IS PARTICULARLY KINDS ESPECIALLY TO ONE LIKE MYSELF WHO IS PRONE TO CHUMMING IN ROLLY SEAS.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. AS WITH OTHERS THE REFRIGERATION CONDENSATION AND LATCHES ARE MORE THAN ANNOYING. THEY ARE DESING FAULTS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE=ORR AND CRUISE--IN A COULPLE OF YEARS---BUT IF MY TIME TABLE WERE MORE IMMEDIATE I WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DISSAPPOINTED BUYER WITH HUNTERS RESPONSE TO AS MAJOR A ISSUE AS REFRIGERATIONTHE VOLVO 78 IS USING 1.8 GPH AT 3200 WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT IF ONE WAS CRUISING. THUS THE 96 GALS TANKAGE IS REALLY ONLY 50 GALS IF COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS BOAT WHICH HAD A YANMAR THAT USED S75GPH. I PLAN TO CONVERT A WATER TANK TO FUEL AND ADD WATERMAKER BEFORE WE ACTUALLY LEAVE. HAVE SPASM/SHIMMY/JERK IN HELM WHEN UDER POWER--ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS??  
Sailing characterisitcs EXCELLENT. HAVE HAD HER OUT IN 20 KNOTS AND DID NOT HAVE A NEED TO REEF--I HAVE READ OTHERS WHO SAY THE FELT OVERPOERED IN 17 KNOTS. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE DIFFERENCE IN MY EXPERINECE.  
Motoring characterisitcs ENGINE IS REASONABLY QUIET AND STRONG. CONCERNED ABOUT FULL CONSUPMPTION AND ALSO MY EXPERIENCE IN SECURING FILTERS AND SPARE PARTS FOR TMD22 OUTSIDE OF VOLVO DEALER HAS BEEN BAD.CONTACING VOLVO WAS A DISSAPPOINTING WASTE OF TIME. (MY YANMAR EXPERIENCES OF THE PAST WERE MORE PLEASANT)  
Liveability EXCELLENTS AS REPORTED BY OTHERS  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) VERY GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE RESPONSE TO THE HELM SPASM AND REFRIGERATION DISASTER.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any VOYAGER MARINE IN MARINAL DEL REY IS GREAT. BEST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD WITH BROKER/DEALER.  
Other comments  

Contact
About
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Limited Liability
Advertise Here
Copyright 1997-2024 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.

Other Sailboat Owners web sites:
CatalinaOwners.com | HunterOwners.com | MacgregorOwners.com | OdayOwners.com | SailboatOwners.com | 10,000 Boat Names |