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Review of the Hunter 280 by Don McCutchan

Year built 1996  
Location of boat Grand Lake Oklahoma  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in Marc  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I would probably purchase a larger boat,however this is a very nice boat to learnto sail on.  
Gear that's been added I have purchased a 170% drifter and a8ft bimini.  
Structural or complex improvements No  
The boat's best features The very best features is the walkthrutransom. It is nice to be able to juststep aboard the boat and not have to climbover the side to get in. This boat is veryeasy to solo. The boat is light enough soyou can FEEL the boat. You know when youpick up a little speed or slow down. Thismakes for a very enjoyable sail.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I have had the sifter cable break twice onthe boat. Still doesn't work as well asit should. The big window on the portside of the boat has bubbled out wherethe structure covers the window on theinside of the boat. There is 3 l996 280'sin our marina and they all have done this.Hunter has been good to replace these.  
Sailing characterisitcs This boat doesn't sail very well down-windhowever if you get a spinnaker or a drifterthis will solve the problem of not beingable to go wingtowing.I think you still need more headsail, butwith this rigging you will have to goaround the shroud lines and they are allthe way out on the side of the boat. Thiswill make it hard to point close to thewind.This boat is very easy to sail for a noviceand is a pleasure even for the experiencedsailors that want to sail a SPORTSCAR.The boat is quick and you can feel theboat respond to least little change youmake in the sails.  
Motoring characterisitcs With the 18 hp Yanmar, this boat goesup to hull speed with this engine. Youwouldn't want to run the engine at thisrpm for a long period of time. The enginewill just loaf along when pushing theboat at about 5 knots.The boat is quick and easy to steer intight places. It is easy to get into yourslip or maneuver in large marinas.  
Liveability This boat is not a boat you would wantto live aboard. It is a wonderful boatto spend a weekend on. It has most ofthe essentials the bigger boats have, butin a smaller package.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Hunter has been very helpful to all my needs.They have always returned my calls andanswered all my questions.There are about 30 hunters in the areawhere I keep my boat. There are 12 l996boats, and we all have had good experiencesdealing with Hunter. We have all had todeal with Hunter for one thing or another.They have always come thru for all of us.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I have had to wait long periods of timebefore the dealer could get up the fixwhat ever needed to be fixed. They area small business and have to come over100 miles to get to my boat. They havebeen able to fix most things. (Not myshifter cable).  
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