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Review of the Hunter 340 by Tom

Year built 2000  
Location of boat Honolulu Hawaii  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Blue water, extended passages  
Normal wind strength 23-30 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 2001  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. This is a small big boat. Handles single handed like a dream. We have sailed on both the Atlantic and Pacific with little issues, less the occasional grounding on the intercoastal due to the 6' draft, but in the Pac, no problems. Crossing from San Diego to Hawaii was no problem, well accept for the whale that took out the rudder.  
Gear that's been added Panda 4KW Genset, Solar, Wind Gen, Watermaker, 50 Gallon fuel bladder, Radar, Ballenger Spar/upgraded standing rigging, 3 Blade prop, Aft arch for solar/wind/radar/outboard davit, shower sump, elec windlass, AC/Heat, autohelm, wind/depth/speed, Epirb, Winslow Lifraft, helm VHF/Navsta VHF, HF Weatherfax, Irridium phone, Companionway doors, full biminy/dodger, BBQ, fishing pole holders, helm cushions and bar pads, upgraded lifelines, hatch/window covers, Accent boat shades, Phone/cable connection, additional 30 amp conn, 20" Flat Screen TV/DVD, fixed computer/navsta, arch external speakers.  
Structural or complex improvements Aft arch for radar/wind generator/solar pannels/outboard davit, Ballenger spar and rigging, external mounted 50 gallon fuel bladder.  
The boat's best features Great cruising in blue water for long periods.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Rudder, whale brushed us from below but completely severed the rudder from the rudder post. Forward water tank leaks and is not accessable to fix. Aft birth port side leaked for 4 years before finding the problem. The aft screw on the molding at lower leading edge of hull insullation was protruding through the hull slightly causing intermittent leaks, mostly on a stbd tack. Tank gauges on water and holding tank not working. Refrigerator top loader, not adequate for liveaboard due to clutter and lack of ease in storage. Compression post leaked, and, is attached to mast step unlike most stepped masts. Aft swim step locker latches not adequate to stop water from entering into locker voids, attached additional latches on inboard side to secure properly.  
Sailing characterisitcs Great single hander. Poor downwind without spiniker. Open ocean reefing a breeze. 30 Kts north wind and opposing gulf steam with 13' seas no problem. Rudder becomes quickly overdriven on large seastate down slope.  
Motoring characterisitcs Rarely used, this is a Sailboat, but the Yanmar 3GMF is a great powerplant and easy to work on.  
Liveability Good for two liveaboards, harder for more for long periods but we did it till my son went off to the Navy.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Good, very responsive.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
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