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Review of the Hunter 326 by Ian McCarthney

Year built 2002  
Location of boat Chichester UK  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes  
Gear that's been added When purchased from previous owners installed additional Garmin GPS receiver. GPS, Chartplotter and Radar, navtex plus ( great as acts as repeater for instruments ) DSC VHF radio. Also 15inch LCD flat screen TV / PC monitor for entertainment and for laptop Chartplotter great for looking at the weather reports and the Kids can also use it for their playstation ! (what boat is complete without one??). Added 2kw generator to power up forementioned kit and to boost batteries when needed. Ipod and DVD player for those rainy days in the marina. A Complete safety kit overhall adding new fire extinguishers, liferaft, life jacket strobes offshore flare pack etc.  
Structural or complex improvements No  
The boat's best features Accommodation plan is one of the best for size, affording reasonable comfort for 4 people. Sailing solo is a breeze thanks to furling main and genoa.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Electics - what a mess the wiring has been a pain, little thought had gone into wiring plan or keeping it tidy, Now rewired and panel now makes some logical sense, which makes fault finding easy at least thats the plan. Have found water in boarding step and am still straching my head as to HOW this could happen.... and How I can extract water. Water and gas systems needed upgrading - pipework all push fit connections which are fine but need checking and not really reliable in rough seas as I found when the shower tap fitting came adrift filling the bilges with water - under pressure.  
Sailing characterisitcs Great to sail in any weather - but not downwind, takes off close hauled. Cuts through squalls with steady 45knts and 4 mtr waves over the bow and has felt steady and secure in all weathers.  
Motoring characterisitcs Standard Yanmar fitted which is fine for this area of the UK but it can struggle a bit in fast tidal races around the channel Isles. Manages 5.5 knts although noisy and far from vibration free. Saildrive fitted makes mooring easy although seems to attract crustacians and has to be kept clean.  
Liveability We spend every weekend on our boat - whatever the weather, we find it comfortable for our family needs and in summer enjoy lazy summer afternoons anchored off the beaches around our locality or crusing in company. Heating is good but when very cold needs additional heating to keep out the chills.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Uk depts are helpful and have always had a good response to problems. When cruising last year had gas problems, from initial call, part was delivered to the marina we were visiting by the next day and fitted in the evening by engineer.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Broker took forever and from start to finish took about 10 weeks.  
Other comments Impressed with my product and we saw a new 41DS at the London Boat Show which we really liked the look of and will be trailing soon.  

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