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Review of the Hunter 36 by Bob Bearce

Year built 2003  
Location of boat Kemah, TX  
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 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely  
Gear that's been added No, the boat came very well equipped.  
Structural or complex improvements No  
The boat's best features The Hunter 36 is fast, stable, and fun to sail. The cockpit is well laid out and the boat can be easily single-handed. Hunter has produced a well built boat and equipped it with top of the line hardware. Good value for the money.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. 1) Replaced a noisy shore power isolation transformer. At my request, the dealer installed rubber mounts on the new transformer to further dampen any vibration noise. 2) Replaced throttle/transmission lever on the console that would jam on occasion. Not a pleasant experience when in a ship channel. 3) Knotmeter has not worked properly from day one and probably never will. GPS is more accurate, anyway. 4) Electric windlass continues to be a puzzle. The anchor chain hangs up on retrieval.  
Sailing characterisitcs Good performance and handling under sail. In winds of 15-20kts this boat really "shines". In heavier air, sail management is essential. Reef early.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motors well (top end approx. 7kts.) and maneuvers easily in reverse. Good fuel economy.  
Liveability Very liveable with enough room for two people for an extended period of time. More people equals shorter trips. Good layout and plenty of headroom. The head/shower is big enough for adults. Plenty of storage area.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) N/A  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought new from Ship and Sail in Kemah, TX. Positive: They have corrected every problem without major hassle. They stand by their product. The financing terms they arranged made the purchase possible. Negative: Their definition of commissioning does not include owner participation. The mysteries of some of the more complex systems are left for the owner to discover and solve. For the new owner, "experience is what you get, after you need it".  
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