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Review of the Hunter 320 by Bob Vint

Year built 2001  
Location of boat SW Florida  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2007  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes  
Gear that's been added New canvas bimini, sail cover, hatch covers. Refurbished and sewn sails and UV strip on jib. New seat cushions. New cutlass bearing.  
Structural or complex improvements No  
The boat's best features Boat is very adequate size and draft for Charlotte Harbor and west coast shoal waters. She motors well and points well to weather. She doesn't like to go downwind so I will add a whisker pole or spinnaker as time goes on. She is a great, although a little slow with the three blade prop and the wing keel (phrf of 244 or 198 spinnaker). The small jib (100%) makes for real easy sailing. The main is powerful, but I never have to reef below 22 knots of apparent wind. We call the cockpit the "hot tub" due to its size and shape. It can really entertain and is a great place to watch sunset!  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I have had problems with the autopilot (motor went out and the installation after repair was faulty). Still trying to get the bugs out. She is a very strong and light boat. We raced in the Leukemia Cup in winds of 22-28 knots and several other boats broke masts, lines, blew sails and had other disasters - we had no issues at all and we had her fully loaded for two straight days under truly adverse conditions. A great value for the money!  
Sailing characterisitcs Points well. Loves to reach. A little tender, but manageable with the traveller. Poor downwind performance, but nothing unexpected with the rig.  
Motoring characterisitcs Walks a bit to port in reverse, but she straightens up when a goose her to get her going and then put it in neutral and then back in reverse when she gains steerage way. She will motor at hull speed at 3200 rpm and uses very little fuel. I think it is a good power match for the hull.  
Liveability I have never spent the night aboard, but she parties really well.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No direct contact with the dealer.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any The broker I bought from was a good guy and honest in his representations. He was inexperienced, so closing was problematic, but he was most responsible in working out kinks.  
Other comments She is exactly what she is presented as. She is an easy sailor for short handed cruising or club racing and has no really bad habits. As much as I try, I can't get her to do anything crazy. It's like trying to do aerobatics in a Cessna - it just doesn't happen!  

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