Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 25_73-83 by Mike

Year built 1979  
Location of boat Lake Winnebago, WI  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2002  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I hadn't planned on buying a hunter 25 but I kind of fell into a great deal on this boat and just couldn't pass it up.  
Gear that's been added The boat had the original sails (main, 110 jib) when I bought it so I purchased a new main and a used 150 genoa. I added spreader lights, GPS and rigged the boom for reefing.  
Structural or complex improvements None.  
The boat's best features The boat is very easy to sail by myself. I have afternoons off so I go out quite a bit by myself. The harbor I'm in has been silting up for years and the shoal draft is nice.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Since I have hank on headsails, the bow cleat in the anchor locker is hard to get at without removing the headsail first.  
Sailing characterisitcs The boat wasn't balanced very well when sailing with the 110 jib and a full main. In a 10 knot wind, weather helm was excessive so I'd have to reef the main. The larger headsail did wonders for the balance. With the shoal keel the boat doesn't point up as well as I'd like it to but the trade off is worth it. The new main helped some.  
Motoring characterisitcs The transom mounted motor mount puts my long shaft Merc. in the water about a foot. Forward is fine in most cases but reverse is worthless. With the prop in a foot it tends to cavitate rather than slow the boat. I'm told a four blade, well pitched prop helps. I'll be trying that in '04.  
Liveability I like the size and layout of the cabin. It's very comfortable for my wife and I. We spend a lot of time on the boat and the liveability is good.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Haven't  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Didn't  
Other comments It's a bit beamy for the length but the additional cabin size is worth it.