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Review of the Hunter 212 by Charles Wilson

Year built 2000  
Location of boat Chaumont NY  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 5-6  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1999  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Maybe yes, Maybe no Bought based upon seeing a "boat show" prototype. Took a full season to get the boat due to early production problems at JY. Attraction was brand, price and dealer .. a good combination.  
Gear that's been added Bought it pretty much loaded up .. roller furling jib, spinacher, foreward hatch, full cushions, main cover, Nissan 4 stroke OB. Rerouted the main halyard through an on-deck block leading back into the cockpit. Added a chute scoop for the spinacher so it is now fully controlled out of the cockpit .. a necessity for a single hander.  
Structural or complex improvements See above  
The boat's best features The fact that it is a Hunter. Although this is my first new sailboat, I cannot imagine getting better support that they are giving me. Boat handles well in conditions I encounter (protected bay off eastern Lake Ontario where I get the full effect of 200 miles of uninterupted westerlies but have the waves cut off by an isthmus. 5HP motor is more than adequate, sail area combined with roller furling seems to match the boat weight etc very well.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. In a word .. watch buying any prototype boat from any manufacturer. The original 212's had plastic composite gudgeons which when they let go underway (and mine did) give you a quick lesson in sail dousing and conversion to power. The retrofit aluminum ones probably on all later models work fine. Thanks to Hunters hull warranty, my boat is currently back at JY as I await a replacement. During spring pre-launch last season we found upper deck through cracks coming off the middle top of the cuddy windows .. according to Hunter they were caused by the heat absorbing windows expanding and cracking the cuddy top. Apparently the newer models are fitted with heat reflecting windows. I am still not convinced the tiller is strong enough (significant lateral torquing under load). It appears to be an upgraded assembly from a 170 .. only problem is the 170 is a 500# +/- boat and the 212 is 4 times that weight. Would love a mast raising system but last time I checked it had not been perfected for this boat.  
Sailing characterisitcs Easy to sail, spacious, tracks well in heavier winds even under the job alone. A good light air boat (at least for me) .. I consider myself a recreational, intermediate, later middle aged sailer not real interested in rail down running when out alone. With a crew it does that well also. When solo, I prefer comfort and safety to that extra speed edge.  
Motoring characterisitcs Nissan 4 stroke 5 hp is more than adequate in up to 2' +/- waves. The only problem with the Nissan is the smallish fuel tank. My boat is moored and I often motor onto the mooring with no problem. Seldom run distances under motor.  
Liveability Have not but perceive it as "close". Mine is not equiped for overnight sailing.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) As stated above, I am well satisified. They are taking care of problems to my satisfaction, even to the point of providing me an "out of the box" 170 during the first summer that they could not deliver my 212.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Boatworks of Syracuse NY are fine folks.. They represent Hunter well.  
Other comments A good all around day sailer or beginner boat. Being a center board boat it has its heavier air limitations ( I just dont know what they are) I am looking hard at the 240 so I can venture further from the cottage and even do some overnights. Probably due to my "later in life" coming to sailing I am not sure of the limitations of the 212 and am in hurry to see it "bottoms up". If only we could afford a 45' like we chartered in the BWI last fall.......  

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