Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 426DS by David Marteney

Year built 2003  
Location of boat Newburyport, MA  
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 2016  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes  
Gear that's been added Upgraded electronics, entertainment center, internet access, bow thruster, LED lighting, replaced hot water heater/tank.  
Structural or complex improvements Not yet. Looking at solar panels/genset, davits (or at least dinghy hoist), motorized cabintop winch, folding/feathering prop.  
The boat's best features Easily handled by 2 and not bad for solo sail handling with control lines to cockpit and autohelm to steer through tacks. Good amount of foredeck for sun bathers. Excellent aft pulpit seats.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Oddly lists slightly to port. Had to reseat hatch lenses due to leaks. Entertainment center was non-functional when we bought used. Finding decent hi-def AV components is iffy. Wind gauge and fluxgate heading feeds are inaccurate. Paddlewheel boatspeed sender attracts barnacles and reads low.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails much better reefed when wind is more than 12-15 kts. Loves a good reach. Not great downwind approaching a run.  
Motoring characterisitcs 52hp Diesel is strong workhorse able to buck the tides in the Merrimack River. Fairly loud down below but outside the boat is very quiet. Pulls to port if you let go of the wheel.  
Liveability Very nice galley and saloon below. Tons of headroom. Came with washer/dryer combo in aft cabin (when at the dock/AC power)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) N/A  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Broker was very helpful in sale process, negotiating offer and lining up financing. After sale was on call for helping resolve battery charging issues and checking in with us periodically to see we were happy with the boat.  
Other comments Have gone to boat shows since we bought and think we have as good as what is going new for much more money. Aside from modernizing a few items, she is exactly the boat we want.  

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