Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 30_74-83 by Joe Newman

Year built 1978  
Location of boat Sneads Ferry, NC  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 23-30 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? I have no brand loyalty. I felt like I got a good deal on the boat, so I bought it. My wife, 8 year old son, 10 year old daughter and myself spend about 15 weekends a year on the boat. I cant afford a beach house, so this boat is the next best thing. I can sail or motor 1.5 miles, anchor in the intercoastal waterway and walk 200 yards to the surf, or I can drive by car 7 miles to the same spot. I have really enjoyed this boat, but it could have just as easily been a different boat. It was just the purchase price.  
Gear that's been added modified the porta pot and it now has a pump. added new inverter for refridg. added propane stove and keep the small propane tank in cockpit locker. added large danfoth anchor with 20ft of chain and 300ft of anchor rode, (i was standing on a small island at bouge inlet, the tide was comming in and I had to run for the dingy to catch my boat as i watched it float by.  
Structural or complex improvements I plan to install new cabinets above(port and star). Am also going to build a small custom entertaiment center to house a 13 inch tv/vcr combo and cd player at the nav station  
The boat's best features I have plenty of room for the kids. Since I have had this boat i have rode out tropical storm Gustav and last week it was hurricane Isabel. I have seen boats slamming piers and dock pilings. My favorite feature is that this boat is about as bullet proof as a sailboat can be. It's tough and it's heavy. I don't worry about damaging the boat, I worry about damaging the pier.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Have had overheating problems, (new t-stat, new impeller, new raw water intake hose, cleaned scupper when I did the bottom in march). Water in fuel, sucked fuel tank dry, bled all lines, changed engine fuel filter and racor filter). I don't feel that any of these problems are out of the ordinary, I mean lets face it, this thing is 25 years old.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails fine. I havent run anyone over or dismasted myself on a bridge.  
Motoring characterisitcs In some tides I have checked my ground speed with a gps and could only make 1.5 knots. If I did not keep the bow absolutly straight I would have been spun around backwards.<<
Liveability Lots of room, fridge, stove, toilet, shower, tv/vcr, cd, microwave, I got no complaints.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Have not delt with hunter. I get all my engine parts from Diesel Marine Direct, they are fast and very helpful, they get back to you quick by e-mail or phone.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I bought my boat from a broker at Buzzards Roost Marina in charleston, SC. He was an ok guy. We sailed/ motored from Charleston, Sc to Jacksonville, NC the day I bought it.  
Other comments I like my boat!!!  

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