Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Contact us
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 44DS by phil chapman

Year built 2003  
Location of boat spain europe  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in dec  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? yes, performance is good for a large cruising boat, not much else available in this price range with such space and comfort  
Gear that's been added bimini, spray hood, cockpit cushions, usual electronics, radar,plotter, fishfinder, navtex,pilot, air con, 100 watt alternator  
Structural or complex improvements no  
The boat's best features Handles well for large cruiser, we have the full roach main and deep keel, performs well, better to reef early goes faster flat, big sail is heavy to pull up especially without the self reefing kit that wasn't fitted in the boom. Accomodation, more space than any, comfortable well equipped, good livaboard  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Mast strut bent first trip out crossing bay of biscay in only 25knts, the other cracked.Sail lugs came unstitched, no self reefing kit fitted, many holes developed in gel coat topsides, don't know about the bottom yet, a few creeping cracks by stantions, sailbag fell apart, twice, lazyjack system not suitable had to modify, air con trips out electric if both are on, aft air con doesn't work after sailing (air lock), air con drains to bilges keep having to bail out by hand, microwave failed, TV failed, FM radio doesn't work correctly in Europe, Navtex failed, Plotter failed, house batteries didn't charge properly max. 13.25volts, shower not sealed leaked to bilges, other than that all has been fine, the dealer is replacing these things or supplying me with te things to do myself, it's taking a long time but we're getting there,  
Sailing characterisitcs Points quite well with the deep keel, 6knts in 10-12knts of wind, never had more than 8.5knts SOG, faster sailing upright, works to reef early, 1st reef at 15-18knts  
Motoring characterisitcs 6-8 knts depending on sea conditions  
Liveability Ideal, spent the last 10 weeks living aboard, all the comforts of home  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Never managed to get any response from them, just refer me to my dealer, but I do copy my complaints to them so perhaps they also talk to the dealer  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any UK dealer, one of the largest, think my boat was commisioned Friday afternoon before Christmas,  
Other comments I am very pleased with the boat, design, comfort, just disapointed with so many failures, some Hunters fault, some commisioners fault, some software fault, but its annoying it could be so good. I want to take part in the ARC rally 2005 but I just don't have the confidence yet in it's capability, hopefully no more problems  

Contact
About
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Limited Liability
Advertise Here
Copyright 1997-2024 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.

Other Sailboat Owners web sites:
CatalinaOwners.com | HunterOwners.com | MacgregorOwners.com | OdayOwners.com | SailboatOwners.com | 10,000 Boat Names |