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Review of the Hunter 26.5 by Joshua Griffin

Year built 1987  
Location of boat Deltaville, VA (Chesapeake Bay)  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, it is a wonderful boat. The boat was very neglected. It needed a lot of work, which I didnt realize when I bought it. The price, size, quality, and amenities were what we wanted when we purchased the boat and remain so today.  
Gear that's been added VHF, GPS, stereo, hiking stick, BBQ grill, new sail cover, cockpit cusions. Plan to add a roller furling jib and to electric sink pump.  
Structural or complex improvements Had to strip bottom coat to fiberglass and fix about 200 blisters. Have to replace the sole plate/deck, much is rotten. Currently the port side bolt plates/bulkhead have wood rot, having it replaced. Have found and sealed a few leaks, like the starboard window.  
The boat's best features Very easy to sail. Salon has comfy feeling. Plently of space to lie down topside or below deck. The swim ladder is a must have. I also like the companionway design. Its spacious, and like how it can be opened up so much.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. My biggest complaint is lack of head room, awkward to use the galley. The cockpit is too narrow. Also, I have a permanent list toward the starboard mounted engine with the gas, two batteries, and galley all on the starboard side. Sink faucet doesnt pump, need to fix, plan to put in an electric pump.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails easily. I don't like the tiller design. Boom is too low. Sails well in very light air.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have a Nissan 9.9 with cockpit controls. Its awkward to step out onto the swim ladder to lift or lower the engine. The previous and only owner always left the motor in the water on Lake Norman, NC, so it had to be overhaulded. Otherwise it runs dependably and uses little gas. The big problem is that the prop comes out of the water in about 4 ft seas.  
Liveability Overall, it's a comfy boat and we love to spend 2-4 day weekends on it. I had never owned a sailboat before. The galley is hard to use because of no headroom. And we have to bring an extra cooler because the cooler space is too small.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) NA  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought through a broker on Lake Norman, NC. They were OK, but were quite unhelpfull arranging transport and coordinating things on their end. They actually listed the boat as a 25ft Hunter. I noticed this was not case in their online ad. This is how bad the owner was, both the sails and the title show it to be a 26.5 footer! I got for a low price, but it did need a lot of work (especially the hull blisters).  
Other comments Even with the sever neglect, the boat is now in good shape. Not one single thing had ever been maintained! The wood never finished or oiled, the motor never winterized, sails not washed or covered. I oiled all the interior wood, wow the boat really came to life. After one year, I am ready to move up to a larger boat. I still have much to learn and will probably keep this one for a few years.  

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