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Review of the Hunter 36_80-82 by Michael W. Jones

Year built 1980  
Location of boat San Francisco  
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 solo  
Liveaboard? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 1998  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes! I love my DIAMOND BRIANNE. I would like a bigger boat once I go long distance cruising, but now that I am getting my refrigeration system into the old ice chest, new engine, all new electronics, auto pilot etc.,. I will be very happy for the next few years. Upon retirement and my plan to sail the seas for a few years before settling down to live an old man's life,...I will want a boat similar to the Gulfstar 47 or perhaps a little larger. The old 1970's vintage Gulfstars have the exact layout I want in a boat for extended cruising. One with two air conditioners, perhaps a bow thruster newgood sails and engines are all an old fart like me should want. I love the electronics of today. What fun and relief not to worry about running aground, hitting stuff or having stuff hit you! I don't know that the depth/fish finder will alarm if a big fish is heading my way!!!!!!!!! Have a nice day, Mike Jones  
Gear that's been added Yes! This year a new Yanmar 3 cylinder engine, a new 3 bladed propeller, a new shaft with dripless packing, a new Data Depth Finder system, a new Data Speed Log, a new Ray Marine C-70, and 3 new Harken Winches inaddition to a Force 10 cabin heater. I'm presently in the yard, been there for a week and hope work starts this week pulling rudder, old shaft and installing the new shaft/packing then I can drop my engine back in for the last time hopefully.  
Structural or complex improvements Not really.  
The boat's best features She points and sail better than the new 2003 Hunter 36s in my opinion. I took one of the new ones with all the space inside, lazy jacks, all new electronics and all new everything. My boat I think is faster, easier to sail and that is why I decided to spend the approximately 20K on my old boat since it is a good investment. Thanks to Club Nautics, I found the above info!  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The boat heads up when the wind freshens. I found it's better than the new ones although the Junneau 52.2 handles better.  
Sailing characterisitcs Great boat in heavy weather except for the weather helm problem which apparently is common with Hunters.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motored fine on the old 2 cylinder Yanmar with two bladed prop. When I get the new Yanmar and 3 bladed prop going she should really go 8 knots or better since she used to do 7.3 in slack water with the old two cylinder 18 HP. The new 3 cylinder has 27 HP!  
Liveability Very nice for one person. Cabin heater, Ice chest converted over to refrigeration, microwave, 4 big batteries for power when not alongside the dock. Great boat!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) N/A  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Island Yachts in Alameda were nice to work with.  
Other comments Would not trade this one for an Islander 36! Don't know about the Catalina's. When I was searching back in the late 1990's I had thought the Catalina might be better. Never got a ride to find out!  

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