Hunter Owner Reviews

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

Review of the Hunter 38 by Steve Kamp

Year built 2004  
Location of boat Pamlico River, North Carolina  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes.  
Gear that's been added Boat came from dealer very well equipped. I have added: Pedestal and wheel cover 15" tv from Wally World (to be replaced after digital broadcasts become the "standard". Dealer supplied a 22lb. Delta anchor. I have supplemented this with a 35 lb. Delta and a 40lb. Danforth.  
Structural or complex improvements No.  
The boat's best features Cockpit and running rigging layout. In mast furling. Shoal draft keel. Standing headroom throughout cabin. Easy access to through hulls and seacocks. Easy access to: AC/Heat units, water heater, fresh water pump, Diesel engine and fuel tank, macerator, batteries, bilge and bilge pump, speed and depth transducers, electrical system, etc. Servicing and repairing systems should be fairly straight forward. Cabin layout is excellent for two people. My wife and I lived aboard for ten weeks, from June to mid August. We are still married. I spent a week aboard by myself in late September during Ophelia's brush with North Carolina, and was very comfortable and secure.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.  
Sailing characterisitcs Winds less than 5 she will scoot along at about 2.5 . Winds 5-10 she will pick up accordingly and as winds reach 10-15 you will find her nearing hull speed. Over 15 I will take in a little main, essentially changing the sail plan from a fractional rig to a masthead. With the loose foot she still has the opption of being full bellied or flat, as conditions warrant. Over 20 I will have reduced the main to about half and the jib as well. These actions provide a nice stable ride which keeps the mate happy, and the boat on her feet. I have spent a lot of time watching the wake on this boat; she cuts the water very cleanly, and the stern wave seems to fold back in on itself.  
Motoring characterisitcs With the 40 horse 3Gh Yanmar there is ample power to get up to around 7.7 kts should you need to do so. Idle speed with fwd engaged will give more than enough headway for moving in the marina. I generally coast into the fairway at idle neutral and bump into fwd only often enough to maintain control, less than 1/2 kt. About two boat lengths from the slip we are only moving fast enough to turn left, and then back in to the slip dead slow.  
Liveability  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Dealer supplied manual for the wrong brand of AC unit. Called Hunter and recieved the correct manual the next week by mail.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any He has been quiet on the web pages of late, but Crazy Dave is tops in my book.  
Other comments This is our second Hunter. The first was a 260, and was excellent as a learning experience, but also had space limitations. My overall impressions of the boat are similar to those of Rob Sherrill and the Wandering Star. I am satisfied.  

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 |