Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 40 by Jere Riggs

Year built 1987  
Location of boat Solomons Island, MD  
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? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, I bought her knowing that repairs were required. Now I'm replacing instruments (on the helm) and upgrading communications. This spring the bottom will get soda blasted to remove about 20 mils of old paint. I'll also repaint the interior wood with satin varnish.  
Gear that's been added Standard Horizon Spector VHF and Raytheon ST-60 depth, log and wind instruments.  
Structural or complex improvements Will replace some sole this coming year caused by water damage. Mast sits on the deck in a designed depression that lends itself to this problem.  
The boat's best features This boat was well designed with the exception of the mast attachment. Exterior as well as the interior was designed to sail; not for being a "slip queen".  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Mast attachment in recessed area; it collects and holds water.Little water penetration into core except the chain locker hatch. It was soaked through and now is soft. Needs to have core material replaced.  
Sailing characterisitcs Being a shoal draft she still sail close to the wind with little weather helm.  
Motoring characterisitcs Does real well at 6 kts at 2500 RPM. Never have had any problems with the Yanmar. She doesn't like to back into slip like any other sailboat, but that's the engineer rather than the engine.  
Liveability Stayed aboard from May thru Sept with little if no problems. Will build a TV stand on top of the covered storage cabinets, starboard on the salon forward bulkhead. I've heard of attaching a stand on the chainplate rod inside the salon, but don't think that it should have any other function.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Helpful, everytime I've had any questions of Hunter, they've responded with sound information.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any A different kind of experience.  
Other comments I wanted a Hunter ever since I started looking for a boat. It seems that its not a "Blue Water " boat, as a lot of people put it. After two sailing years, I like to believe that it is the "sailor" and not the boat that makes any boat a "Blue Water" boat. If I was ever fortunate enough to purchase another sailboat, it will probably be another Hunter.  

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