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Review of the Hunter 40.5 by Rick Dinon

Year built 1994  
Location of boat Marina del Rey, CA  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
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 1999  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Sure. With the addition of a hard vang, windlass, electric halyard winch, AH 7000 AP, I can single hand her just fine. With the full cockpit enclosure, its a great second home and comfortable in the winter and SoCal's 'June Gloom' conditions. The Furuno radar is great as is the Raymarine 520 CP. My wife's decorating pulus the varnished interior and the professional modifications done by the PO make it extra special. While we rarely have the addditional crew to make the second head useful, it is handy on those times.  
Gear that's been added Between the PO and me: lots of rode, Fortress second anchor and rode, jib sheet bags, Harken cars, cutter rig and sail, reaching pole and mast fittings, full canvas, sto-pac sail cover, MOB gear, rigid vang, radar mast with tv antenna and second vhf antenna, full instruments, Heart 2500 inverter, 2 banks of golf-cart batteries, Balmar alt + 3-stage regulator, three flex solar panels and regulator, new interior cushions, restuffed leather cushions, custom salon table, varnished interior, blinds in aft cabin, TV's etc, 6CD changer, wine racks, modified under v-berth area for 'garage' storage, Y-valve for head, PSS shaft seal.  
Structural or complex improvements  
The boat's best features Good sailing characteristics, livability, lots of natural lighting below, good fiberglass work. responsive manufacturer, good factory support and parts availability, good service, this website.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Aluminum tanks ought to be banned for fresh water or waste. Wire runs could be a bit larger and simpler. Hatches within cabin sole panels to give access to storage areas in the pan structure. A bit more cockpit storage and more of the battery weight below mid-ships. Some place for a generator. (lots of these seem to be adressed in the -6 models.)  
Sailing characterisitcs Drifting to about 25 knots. Seas to 8'. Several overnight races. Placed first O/A in one, fifth on corrected.  
Motoring characterisitcs Short, steep chop while motoring into it is most annoying because it will pound. Back off and head up or down will take care of it. Otherwise, fast and stable. Noise acceptable. Take foam weatherstrip and stick it where anything vibrates. Stock two-blade prop is fine, altho I will go for a 2 or 3 blade feathering for sailing performance eventually.  
Liveability We split our time between our mountain home and the boat. It is so good it made living in a rural area practical. Everyone loves it. Short story: YC friend has a Cat 34 (nice boat) he's owned for four months. Comes on our boat with wife. Next day, gets a boating mag, locates a 40.5 and buys it! To this day, most people assume this eight year old boat is new.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Second Hunter in twelve years. Always helpful, call back, and top-notch overall.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any H and S (San Diego) were as good as it gets. Honest, helpful, and good post-purchase support.  
Other comments  

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