Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 40.5 by Graeme Gilbert

Year built 1993  
Location of boat Philippines  
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? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 1995  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, most definitely  
Gear that's been added 6Kva generator Airconditioning Watermaker Bimini Boom tents Radar Electric windlass with all chain rode CQR anchor Autohelm GPS,multi repeater,ST7000 auto pilot Paper chart plotter 12v interior electric fans 2x75w seimens solar panels  
Structural or complex improvements Pulled out aft 40 gallon water tank and replaced it with a stainless steel diesel fuel tank of same shape and size. Installed three blade feathering propellor (Austral props from Australia) Big improvement in performance  
The boat's best features Roomy inside Plenty of light Looks great!! Easy to maintain and keep cleen Designed for easy maintenance access  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. .Yanmar engine installation: Drawer above has been removed for better access Seawater inlet hose has worn through and failed Vacauum breaker hose has worn through and failed .House battery storage capacity insufficient. 400 amphrs is not sufficient for extended live aboard living on a mooring. (1000 amphrs is ideal but insufficient room to install) .12v freezer is not efficient to freeze food for the size of the compartment .Changed the fixed two blade propellor for a three blade feathering propellor. Often we were down to one knot motor sailing running against the current with the two blade. It just doesn't provide sufficient torque to push this size of boat. .No access cover to the port fuel tank for internal cleaning and inspection. This makes it difficult to get rid of marine growth in the tank. (Even with fuel additive)  
Sailing characterisitcs Severe tropical depression in the South China Sea between HongKong & Manila. 30 - 50 knot winds, 7 metre swells. No breakages!! For four days Flat calm motor sailing  
Motoring characterisitcs Motor sailing days on end  
Liveability After two and a half years living on it full time. It is an excellent live aboard boat. It's always nicer to have more water and more diesel but not a major issue until you get two or more females on board!!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Not good. They have sent me the wrong parts, not helpful and shutdown completly over the Xmas new year break to my dismay. I think their service staff are not sufficiently experience or trained in the needs of its cruising customers  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any No problems, ethically and professionaly handled  
Other comments It's a great boat and I wouldn't part with it for the world.