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Review of the Hunter 35.5 by Pat Spino

Year built 1990  
Location of boat Upper Chesapeake  
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 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. However, it should be stated that this is a remarkably clean and lightly used boat in excellent condition. It is also my first Hunter and I am quite pleased with her---more then I thought would be the case.  
Gear that's been added When I purchased the boat it came equipped with dodger, bimini, dutchman, refridgeration, wind speed/direction, depth, speed, loran. I have added Autohelm ST4000 PLUS interfaced with a hardwired Garmin 45 GPS, Air conditioning/ heating, Hella cabin fans, several 110v electrical outlets, two additional rope clutches (one port one stbd). Will be adding a Heart Link 10 battery monitor system and engine hour meter.  
Structural or complex improvements Replaced the 13 gal alum. holding with a 20 gal plastic one. Added air conditioning/heating.  
The boat's best features Sails well and easily handled. Roomy and light interior with sufficient storage space. Roomy and comfortable cockpit. Easily reefed. I like the Dutchman system.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. 1. Being reminded that this is a lightly used boat, the alum. holding tank had to be replaced with plastic. SEE ABOVE. 2.I have a problem I'm continuing to work on: the boat has weather helm on starboard tack only! Will spend time in the upcoming season with sail control settings to try to solve problem. 3. Battery location and access. Difficult to believe that a designer would not consider this problem. 4. Location and access to the head overboard discharge valve. IMPOSSABLE TO REACH! Same comment about designer as above. (almost as if items 3 and 4 were intentional design oversights. I solved this problem by drilling a hole in the ball valve handle and attaching a 1/2 inch PVC articulated handle extension. 5. The dining table counter weight slaps against the walls of the mast compression post when the boat rocks. 6. Cooking fuel is CNG which may bother some. I and my mate like it and it is conveniently gotten in the Chesapeake and in LI Sound/New England.  
Sailing characterisitcs FAST EASY SAILING BOAT! Rigged nicely. Shortly after purchase the boat was moved by myself and two others from Barnegat bay to the upper Chesapeake via Barnegat inlet, Atlantic Ocean, Cape May canal (at low water; the mast height is 55 feet--so is bridge clearence in the canal), Delaware bay/river, C & D Canal, Chesapeake. Delaware Bay conditions were 20-25 knots of wind on the nose against a flooding current and short 4-6 foot seas. The boat was very comfortable and the dodger keept the crew dry. The only real problem was a leaky forward hatch when a sea would role up on the foredeck. The hatch latches were adjusted/shimmed to stop the leaking.  
Motoring characterisitcs Considering it has a two bladed fixed prop the boat motors very well and is surprisingly manoverable in reverse. Motoring into 20-25 knots in the Delaware Bay was not a problem. The boat speed was between 6 and 7 knots at 2500-2800 rpm's.  
Liveability Understanding that the previous boat was a "smallish" 33 club racer without much thought devoted to live aboard comforts, we are really happy with the 35.5's "livability". I am retired and we basiclly live aboard during the sailing season and love the boats comfort factor.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I dealt with the customer service department and have no complaints. They proved to be very helpful and accomodating. My boat is out of warrenty and I have had no such dealings with Hunter.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any My boat was purchased from a boat yard and I am quite happy with the process. Service after purchase is another and all to frequent sad story.  
Other comments I was very concerned about the negative comments I have heard and read about Hunter quality. Having sailed on several Hunters (not Legends) prompted other concerns about tenderness-especially in the current designs. I have to say that I am pleasently surprised by the my Legend 35.5. Many say that the Legend series was Hunter's overall best line of boats. I tend to agree. I think Hunter made a mistake discontinuing the line and going with their current offerings which I do not like at all. I think that continued production of the Legend was not cost effective for Hunter and that was the primary reason for the change.  

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