Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 18.5 by Ed Sternstein

Year built 1990  
Location of boat Greenwood Lake, NY  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1991  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely.This is my sixth sailboat in forty-five years. We came to this after racing 14s and trying out daysailers. We surely appreciate the stability of the wing keel and the power of the full-batten main.We two Seniors love sailing the easy way.  
Gear that's been added We've added CDI jib furling,brought all control lines to cockpit via blocks and rope clutch, a 5HP FNR Mercury O/B, tiller tamer, anchor chocks, two jib sheet swivel cams to replace fixed cams, lazy jacks, and a cabin-top multi purpose winch. We love sailing, but not the work. (I sail, and my wife reads).  
Structural or complex improvements She's dry and practically maintenance-free. My bilge pump has been idle for 12yrs.  
The boat's best features Like a big cruiser, she has momentum to fight off the wakes of power boats, and holds her own when the wind pipes up.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. We added an extra cockpit drain under the motor mounting, as leaves sometime block the strainer-drain on the cockpit floor.  
Sailing characterisitcs Of course, "Windsong" does best on a reach with the wind at about 15-17, but she also does well downwind with good balance. Windward is always a problem, but she seems to tack at better than 45 degreees. The full batten main does all the work, and it sometimes feels as if the jib is extra. It would have been nice to be able to adjust the jib sheets' position on the deck.  
Motoring characterisitcs We upgraded the motor to a separate gas tank and 5HP with FNR to get us in and out of our slip. In a sudden blow, we would need more than an integral gas tankfull to make it home, and filling the tank while on the water is not pleasant. At half throttle, we reach hull speed.  
Liveability It's comfortable, but it's not home. We've spent time in the cabin, but not overnight. It would appear that weekends would be upscale to camping out. It's vwey trailerable, but we don't.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Problem free, and most helpful.  
Other comments We bought the boat to go sailing wherever and whenever we wanted. It's been that and more. We're in our 70's now, and hope to keep on enjoying sailing.  

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