Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 23 by Ray Ducharme

Year built 1987  
Location of boat Chesapeake/ Delaware Bays  
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 solo  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1987  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, great first boat . When I need a bigger boat I can always find one to get a ride or race.Cosy for the two of us for the weekend and good for annother couple for day sailing  
Gear that's been added Garhauer gear everywhereadjustable genoa tracks and carsline control main sheet trackbackstay adjusterspinnaker control systemloran ApelcoSped/depth Standard 40 seriesautopilot Autohelm st1000  
Structural or complex improvements total electrical upgrade (lights inside and out)10 circut breaker panel solar panel battery chargerreplaced galley with solid teak and Corian top.reinforced all hinged areas with backer platesdeck fill for water tankdrawers built under cabin setees (dovetailed cedar with teak heads)bunged all screw heads  
The boat's best features very steadypoints well in all windseasy to balance helm if you adjust sail size and shape to wind condtions.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Boat has worked well. galley needed work (no counter space)poor electrical system locationneeded sailing handeling gear to make boat more than a fair weather sailor  
Sailing characterisitcs sail 500 miles a year in all wind and water condtions. The boat has always been a steady platform  
Motoring characterisitcs 5 hp nissan does it all installed a remote gas tankonly use about 5 gals a year  
Liveability Have used for weekend gunkholingfor 10 years. great bedroom and a breakfast knookhave lived aboard for 10 days (5 rainy) and did not kill partner. But I slept with one eye open  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Customer service was and still is great. have asked for and recieved drawings, plans, skematics, along with lots of over the phone advice. parts came quick  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Dealer from Cape Cod went bust with deposit had to work out with Hunter and the bank. I love Hunter, I hate boat yards  
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