Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 27_75-84 by Ed White

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Hull, MA  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 6  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2002  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Certainly  
Gear that's been added Loran, GPS, Roller Furling, Asymetrical. I still have the original jib (110%), but I use the newer 125%, which seems to be a great match for the boat. It is not easily overpowered. Of course a 150 would be even nicer in light winds, but the boat performs well with the 125%.A larger steering wheel is also on the list of add ons.  
Structural or complex improvements The previous owner had replaced the 'bow plate'. The original Westerbeke 10 has been replaced with teh Westerbeke 12B Two.  
The boat's best features The seaworthiness of this boat is unmatched in 27 footers, with the exception of much more expensive boats, such as Island Packets ans the like. She is heavy and a bit slow to respond to a puff, but that can be a good thing too. She has the mass and sesign to power through a pretty good chop and she stays drier than any other boat on which I've sailed. I especially like the 'in boom' reefing lines and outhaul, which I've since run to the back of the boom for cockpit control. I originally looked at this boat for the 'shoal draft' it was advertised for, but when I went to see it she had the fin keel. The boat was in such great shape that I decided to overlook this.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I am planning on replacing the mainsheeting set up with a traveller. I believe this will help to control the sail shape for a little more efficiency. I have had no issues with not being able to point with the other boats in our PHRF Fleet.  
Sailing characterisitcs I have had the boat in the water only since May 2003, and in these 2 months I have been in some very heavy seas. The boat tracks very well and the larger steering wheel provides a much easier time of handling the helm. We went wing on wing for 20 miles in 15 knots of wind and 5-6 foot following seas with no spray being taken aboard, and little trouble in surfing the waves, which included breakers.  
Motoring characterisitcs The upgraded motor is a 12 hp Westerbeke, and she is quite adequate. There is extreme prop walk in reverse for the first one and a half boat lengths.. I have a fixed two-bladed prop (13 x 10). You just have to adjust for this, which can get hairy in docking situations... but I'm at a mooring for most of the time..  
Liveability We love the enclosable head, but wish there was a shower ... Otherwise, there is quite a bit of space and the storage capacity is excellent, if not unmatched. The boat seems very airtight and I will be adding ventilationcapabiities with a solar vent on the cabintop , and a few clamshell vents in the hatchboards.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Bought thru a private party.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments Very strong construction. My boat is the last year of the Cherubini's and it looks like they got all the bugs worked out that I read about in regards to construction, such as 'oil canning' of the keel, witha cross member installation. It is a rugged craft. The slotted toerail is great, not to mention strong, and It's interesting to see that the 29-30 footers today weigh only slightly more than this 27.. I like the weight.