Hunter Owner Reviews

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

Review of the Hunter 33 by nick cameron

Year built 2004  
Location of boat Brisbane Australia  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
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 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Maybe  
Gear that's been added Dodger,chartplotter,feathering prop,gas vang,PSS shaft seal,3x130 ah house batteries and 70 ah engine start, smart voltage regulator and battery monitor system which counts amp hours,DVD Player,35 pound plough anchor and 30 m of chain  
Structural or complex improvements Had keel faired, the original was a disgrace.Got Hunter to pay for it. Rudder is similarly afflicted and needs reprofiling as the leading edge is off centre and looks horrible. Do that at the next haulout  
The boat's best features 1. Will outperform most 33-34 foot cruisers and at the same time has plenty of space. 2. Can cruise in comfort and win the odd handicap race 3. Hunter rig 4. Looks great and everyone says so  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. 1.Some voids in the gellcoat and gellcoat damage cause by too energetic screwing of fixtures from inside. (fixed under warranty) 2.leaks - cannot trace source (I have put oneway valves on outlets which should be standard and this has cut it down)but after brisk sail bilge fills up 3.Port blinds do not fit 4.Gas regulator fitted wrong way round 5. Windspeed indicator had connection problems 6. Sails (UK) showing signs of stretching after six months 7 Rear winch position not the best 8.Can't control the main from the helm when single handed. Would be great to have main led back to arch in some way. 9.Anchor winch positioned badly as chain does not verticlly drop into anchor locker this causes jambing when raising. 9.Poorly put together by dealer. After 9 months mainly of the fittings have come loose, ie stanchions, deck cleats, arch fitting etc. 10. CD player replaced under warranty 11. Tank gauge replaced under warrrenty  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails very well although does not point (I have the fin keel) quite as well as might have been expected. Suprisingly considering the rig, she sails very well down wind particularly with polled out headsail and can cream much larger vessels. Shot past a Benetau 43 last week on the final leg of a WAGS (Wednesday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing)race. With a clean bottom she can better 6 knots on all points of wind at 10 knot true and in a steady 15 knots true will hold 7.5 knots on a broad reach. Best recorded speed 9 knots in 28 knots true surfing on a run. Ended out of control when hit 30 knots true and rudder on oposite lock.  
Motoring characterisitcs No problems will do 7.5 knots at 2800 rpm and hit 8 knots under favourable conditions flat out.  
Liveability Generally good possibly best in its class. Seating material in saloon poor as it has gone "flat" after only nine months use. Garbage disposal bin is excessive size and space could be better utilised for food storage. Would prefer to have extra cupboards in galley bulkhead in lieu of microwave. In the summer heat of Queensland, could do without the cabin roof glass and the forward cabin hatch needs to be forward opening to catch the breezes at anchor.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Have not had much to deal with them directly but they seem to have a good attitude to warranty claims  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Dealer has been attentive to my problems but compared to competiton don't seem to have the marketing muscle. They had inadaquate assembly resources when my boat arrived and it could have been put together better and properly checked out before handover.  
Other comments A good boat for the price and one which you can have fun with or without a crew and still go cruising with 4. Fundamentally the kit is all good quality but the overall package is let down by a lack of quality control. Gives the impression that it was flung together. After nine months and a lot of tender loving care, fixing up a few things, plus the addition of extra gear I am now happy that I have a sound boat.  

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 |