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Review of the Hunter 28 by Steve

Year built 1992  
Location of boat Boothbay, ME  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
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 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. I have had the opportunity to sail her from Newburyport, MA to Boothbay, ME in May 2005 with three souls aboard and back in October 2005 with two souls aboard. Both trips took three days and were a very good experience.  
Gear that's been added Yes. Added a ST-4000+ wheel Auto Pilot, Garmin GPS color chart plotter, combo steaming and deck light, Lifesling, starboard spreader halyard (mainly for radar reflector), oil lamp on fully gimbaled bracket, time/tide clock (we ahve 9-12 foot tides in Maine), and a DC outlet in cockpit locker (for VHF or spotlight).  
Structural or complex improvements No, not yet. I am considering replacing the "skylight" in the center of the cabin with an opening hatch and adding some sort of built-in heater.  
The boat's best features Definately lots of room for a 28 foot boat. Galley is well laid out and the dinette is easy to serve. Navagation table has ample storage room and is easy to access from the companionway for quick chart checks. With plenty of opening ports and hatches, there is lots of ventilation (almost too much for the cool air of Maine). It is very nice to have cold and hot running water (water is heated by the engine or AC).  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I wish there were a couple of drawers for storage. Slanted floor in the aft berth is a little ackward until you get used to it (I may add a grab handle on the bulkhead). You need to bend way over to use the mirrors in the head (newer models have them tilted up). The aluminum holding tank is OK for now, but I know it will give me problems at some point in the future and I hear that it is a pain to replace. It would be nice to have an anchor roller for the primary anchor so I could use the anchor locker for the back-up.  
Sailing characterisitcs With the tall mast and the fairly light shoal draft keel, this boat is very tender. Need to have both reefing points rigged and ready to use. I experienced some weather helm but most of it can be trimmed out by adjusting the head sail. Definately not a racer, but gets you where you want to go when cruising (its not being there that is the most fun, it getting there).  
Motoring characterisitcs During the trip up to Boothbay in May 2005, we were motoring into 25 knot winds with 4-6 foot waves. Boat was well behaved even when we occasionally pounded coming off some of the bigger waves. With the spray generated by these conditions, a dodger is a "must have." Has a tendancy to turn to starboard if you let go of the wheel -- auto pilot can handle this with no problem.  
Liveability With three souls on board, things were a little tight but for a three day trip it was fine. With two on board, I think a week (or even two) would be no problem. The main cabin area has a large open secion of floor where it is easy to get dressed, even if someone is working in the Galley. The addition of a CD/radio with speakers in the cabin and the cockpit adds to the liveability. A small folding table with drink holders attached to the steering pedestal is also beneficial. A stern mounted gas grill expands the types of food you can prepare onboard (just remember not to let the hotdogs roll off into the water).  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Hunter has always returned my calls and answered my questions. Since the boat was a 1992 model, there isn't an issue with warrantee claims.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Private sale.  
Other comments Production boat builder that gives you your moneys worth. This size boat isn't rated for blue water but is reasonably built for bays and near coastal cruising. I was very comfortable cruising 100 miles up the coasts of MA, NH and ME.  

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