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Review of the Hunter 216 by James Seale

Year built 2005  
Location of boat Cheasapeake Bay  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Probably not because of the keel cable design.  
Gear that's been added no  
Structural or complex improvements no  
The boat's best features fast and easy to sail  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. On the first sail the lifting cable pulled out of the lead keel. The fix that Hunter provided looked like a field job and devalued the boat. They willingly agreed to send a new keel and allow me to sail it with the old fixed keel until I was ready to have it installed. On my second sail the cable held but then the hydraulic pump failed. In my opinion the keel lifting design is very poor and subject to failure. It has been back at Hunter for a factory fix of the problems. I have been told that there are numerous keel failures in the fleet. Also, there is a weakness in the composite material in the hull near the bow where it sits on the trailer. When it was being put on the trailer, the composite hull was damaged. Hunter agreed to apply a fix to this area of the hull.  
Sailing characterisitcs Setting up and tuning the rigging is time consuming (I have it down to about 40 minutes)and requires two people. In the water, it is very light on the rudder and you must sit near the middle of the boat when solo to keep the bow from slapping. I have had to create some friction for the tiller by using a line tied to the tiller and back and forth through the cleats to allow me to not be so attentive to it.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motors well  
Liveability None  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) The long time delays in getting the repairs made have been a problem. The factory people have been polite and responsive however, I think my problem with the keel is more extensive than they would like to admit. I have not seen the repaired boat as of this date so I can not comment on the quality of the repairs.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Long delays in getting the boat repaired and back to me.  
Other comments I am planning to sell it as soon as I can  

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