Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Contact us
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 31 by Les Rose

Year built 2006  
Location of boat Vancouver BC  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 06  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? No....though would have gone with the 33 if I could have found a slip for it locally...Still this is a wonderful vessel...can very easily be single-handed and does well in all conditions though like most fractional rig hunters does not do well on a run....I really miss a mega geni that most mast-head rigs have when running downwind though by reaching and jibing you can mitigate though not totally address the boats inability to run.....In-mast furling is fantastic and makes putting away the boat a breeze....all and all...we are in love with this boat...  
Gear that's been added auto-helm...dodger, bimini, windless, espbar heating....Linx 10 battery monitor  
Structural or complex improvements changing companionway boards which are plastic to clear plexi...the plastic looks cheesey and diminishes the appearance of an otherwise very attractive boat that has all sorts of dockside appeal...  
The boat's best features the ability to truly single hand this boat is wonderful...it also points as well as any boat that I have every sailed including a C&C....love the sugar-scoop aft....galley/head/cabins/salon all well-designed and comfortable in terms of just hanging out...or lounging....  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Nothing yet....  
Sailing characterisitcs As per above points wonderfully....runs????...not so much...very tender and in 15k wind likes to go on its ear....however, given the main in-mast furling and furling headsail even 20+ winds are not much of a problem once you get a sense of how to balance your sail set...all in all I was not expecting much in terms of performance...but its more than adequate for cruising....just don't expect it to be a performance boat that will blow doors of all other 30s out there...there is a price to be paid with respect to the small head sail...perhaps as I get to know the boat better I may be able to urge some more performance out of her...  
Motoring characterisitcs excellent motor...though vicious prop walk in reverse...and I really have to feather the engine to address the pull to port.....  
Liveability Great as a long-weekender...even with an other couple...(forget about overnights with three couples...its not happening)....the only downside to the boat is lack of storage in terms of provisions and personal effects...however, again as we continue to get use to it...we may be able to address this issue better than we have...  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) n/a  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Specialty Yachts in Vancouver have been at worst very professional and specific to the broker I dealt with, David Hammond, unbelieveable....David continues to provide first-class service characterized with integrity and generousity.....I have dealt with other brokers previous to this experience...and I have to say that Speciality Yachts at this point is far superior in both service and product to any of the others....  
Other comments If you are looking for a boat that is a great cruiser for long weekends to perhaps week long trips...one that is a pleasure to sail and provides the same feel of a much larger boat..and you can deal with limited storage...this is the boat for you...I have attempted to be overly-critical so as I don't come across as a shill for Hunter and the comments that I have included are basically all I could come up with from a critical perspective...  

Contact
About
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Limited Liability
Advertise Here
Copyright 1997-2024 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.

Other Sailboat Owners web sites:
CatalinaOwners.com | HunterOwners.com | MacgregorOwners.com | OdayOwners.com | SailboatOwners.com | 10,000 Boat Names |