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Review of the Hunter 216 by Nick Sollecito

Year built 2004  
Location of boat Mt. Hope Bay, MA  
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 solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Probably. There are not to many performance daysailors in its price category that can be easily sailed solo.  
Gear that's been added I had the factory install the racing package which included the spinnaker kit, a traveler and hand holds. I will be installing a cunningham.  
Structural or complex improvements No, but plan to add cunningham and adjustable backstay next season.  
The boat's best features The ability to easily sail solo. The main reason for my purchase. I keep the boat on a mooring. In 5 minutes I'm sailing, I also like that it has a lot of the features of a larger boat, such as the roller furling, traveler and bow sprit for the spinnaker. The ease of raising the keel is a nice feature since my mooring is in shallow water at low tide.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. My traveler is sticking, I think it may need new bearings. Although it shouldn't after 3 months of sailing. If you do not take off the vang after sailing downwing the vang makes a disconcerting cracking noise while tacking. If bottom painting, be sure to come above the water line a good 2". The waterline described in the manual is off. I am getting a lot of fouling from the beam forward.  
Sailing characterisitcs I am amazed at the balance of this boat, even when sailing with only the main. There is virually no lee or weather helm. The boat has a very light feel. It is very tender upwind when the wind start blowing over 15 knots. You must pay close attention in gusty conditions as it will round up quickly. This is the advantage of having a traveler. You can drop the traveler much faster than sheeting the main. I find myself feathering the boat into the wind under heavy wind conditions. This helps of course but makes for a slow ride. I think the boat should be faster upwind. It is very fast downwind. I still need to work with the shroud adjustments more to see if this improves upwind speed. Unforunately there is very little performance info out there and owners must figure it out on their own. I will update this post if I do find any performance improvements. I feel that an adjustable backstay would help flatten the boat in the 15+ range and make for a more comfortable ride. I may try this next season.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have one but haven't used it since I am on a mooring  
Liveability Impossible. The cuddy can only be used for storage.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Good so far. They were very helpful with question. Although, I haven't had any failure where I need to deal with them on that basis.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Good orientation and very knowledgable about the boat.  
Other comments It would be nice to see this boat catch on so there would be enough for one design racing. I do not think it would fair well in PHRF racing. If any one is racing this boat I would be interested in hearing from you. Please email me. Thanks!  

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