Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 40.5 by D. LESLIE

Year built 1994  
Location of boat GREENPORT, L.I., NY.  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1993  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? MOST DEFINATELY. THE 40.5 IS A GREAT BOAT TO SAIL, IF YOU ARE SOLO,(WITH AN AUTO-PILOT), OR JUST ONE OTHER PERSON. THE LAY-OUT OFFERS PLENTY OF ROOM BELOW DECKS, IS GENERALLY EASY TO MAINTAIN, AND JUST AN ALL AROUND GOOD, AFFORDABLE CRUISER. (IT EVEN FINISHES WELL WHEN RACING !!)  
Gear that's been added YES. ALTHOUGH I'D LIKE TO ADD MORE, I'VE ADDED; -ELECTRIC MAIN HALYARD WINCH -HIGH OUTPUT CHARGING SYSTEM -RADAR -GPS -FULL INSTRUMENTATION -A SECOND ELECTRIC BILGE PUMP -DUTCHMAN SAIL CARS -A CUSTOM MATTRESS -MICROWAVE (BUILT-IN) -BIMINI -TANK TENDER -MARTEC PROP - HAD THE EMERGENCY TILLER GALVANIZED (T0 ALIEVIATE THE RUSTING PROBLEM)  
Structural or complex improvements  
The boat's best features  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN MINOR, BUT IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED IN,-BATTERY CHARGING WHILE AWAY FROM THE DOCK -REFRIDGERATION- THE COLD PLATE UNITS LEAK EVERY 2 SEASONS- NEEDING REPAIR. -ABOVE DECK STORAGE IS TIGHT, ALTHOUGH I GUESS THATS' A PROBLEM ON ANY SAILBOAT. -HEAD ODORS IN THE AREA OF THE MACERATOR... SMALL AREA THAT SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN THE COOLING FANS ON THE FRIDGE/FREEZER RUN -SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER LEAKING FROM THE RUDDER WHEN ON THE HARD -"WALKS" ALOT WHEN AT ANCHOR OR MOORING IN ANYTHING ABOVE A 5-6 KT BREEZE - AND THE CNG FUEL FOR COOKING IS NOT THE WAY TO GO, NOT HOT ENOUGH TO COOK,AND TOUGH TO FIND.  
Sailing characterisitcs GENERALLY HANDLES WELL IN MOST SEA CONDITIONS.  
Motoring characterisitcs AGAIN, MOTORS WELL, BUT WILL POUND HARD IN A 3-4 FT HEAD SEA DUE TO HULL SHAPE FORWARD OF THE KEEL  
Liveability WE GENERALLY HAVE TWO ADULTS AND A 12 YR. OLD ON BOARD... THE BOAT IS GREAT FOR THIS. ( OH, AND A 6LB MALTESE WHO LOVES THE BOAT AND IS VERY COMFORTABLE IN MOST CONDITIONS.) THE GAALLEY IS OF GOOD SIZE, STATEROOMS ARE MORE THAN ADEQUATE, ALTHOUGH A LITTLE MORE HEADROOM IN THE CAPTAINS BERTH WOULD BE NICE, HEADS ARE GOOD SIZE,BUT A SEPERATE SHOWER WOULD SPOIL US! AND THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOE ENTERTAINING YOUR FRIENDS.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any YES, I BOUGHT THE BOAT FROM SAILING SPECIALTIES IN NOANK,(NOW IN MYSTIC, CONN.) AND AT THE TIME, COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER EXPERIANCE...FROM THE START TO THE DELIVERY, AND EVEN THE WARRANTY REPAIRS. ALTHOUGH LATELY, I'VE SENT FRIENDS THERE THAT PURCHASED BOATS AND HAD SOME PROBLEMS...I THINK IT WAS JUST "GROWING PAINS" AS SAILING SPECIALTIES HAS BEEN GROWING RAPIDLY, AND BOATS ARE REALLY SELLING FAST... AND GOOD , QUALIFIED HELP IS DIFFICULT TO FIND.  
Other comments WITHOUT QUESTION , IT OFFERS THE MOST "BANG FOR THE BUCK", IS WELL THOUGHT OUT, AND CONTINUALLY IMPROVING, (I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THE NEW MODELS), AND HUNTER ITSELF IS A COMPANY THAT LISTENS AND IS RESPONSIVE TO THE CUSTOMER. YOU WON'T BE SORRY IF YOU BUY ANY OF THEIR MODELS...