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Review of the Hunter 25.5 by J. Bannan

Year built 1982  
Location of boat Potomac River  
The boat is sailed on Rivers  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. It was 23 years old, but in good shape. Sails well. Plenty of room for a 25 foot boat. Easily fits our family of 4.  
Gear that's been added New Johnson 8hp, 4 stroke auxillary. Safety equipment.  
Structural or complex improvements None. The standing rigging was in good shape. Hull was clean and sound. Dry inside. Good boat for the age. Will replace running rigging next year.  
The boat's best features Sails well. Nice shallow draft for the rivers. Roller furling 140% jib and good Mainsheet system and traveler make it easy to sail. Roomy cockpit. The pop-top and interior are wonderful, provides head room, ventilation, and light. Great interior layout with dinette/berth, private V-berth, and aft berth, can sleep the 4 of us easily. Nice forward anchor locker. 2 cockpit lazarettes are nice. Plenty of interior stowage. Why don't they do this in a new 25?  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Weak transom, but seems to be holding up. Port side engine mount makes for hard backing. Decks starting to show UV dammage but hey, its almost 24 years old. Wish it had a real head... How do you get those ugly old stripe decals off?  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails well up to 15 knots without a reef. Reef and roll above 15, but still does well if the chop is not too bad. A little weather helm is ok with me, and if overpowered, she rounds up. Pretty stable for a lubber like me with that 9ft. beam.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motors forward well in a tidal river with strong currents and wind. New 8hp Johnson 4 stroke works well in anything less than 3 ft seas with heavy chop. Above that, the port mounted prop is out of water too much. Backing stinks with the port mounted aux. Better practice more.  
Liveability The boat feels like a 27 or 28 ft boat inside. The design is amazing. The pop top is wonderful. Even with the top down the head room is the best of any 25 footer. Weekending is fun. My father-in-law and I delivered the boat home sailing 30 miles North on Chesapeak Bay, and motored 70 miles up the Potomac. Plenty of room for the two of us for 2 days and three nights. My family of 4 has plenty of room. Wish we had a real head though!! (Next one honey)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Have not dealt with Hunter yet. The 24 year old boat is still doing well. With this design it is worth restoring. I would like to tell Hunter to update and reissue this old design.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Norton Yachts in Deltaville, VA is great! Recommended surveyors, mounted the new motor for me. I bought an old brokerage boat but they treated me like I was buying a new Hunter. Thanks Mike, we had a nice cruise home.  
Other comments Even an old boat can bring much joy. I chose this one for the design qualities. I wish they would update this design a little and reissue a new 25 or 26 footer like this one. Hey Hunter, are you listening?  

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