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Review of the Hunter 30_74-83 by Chris Harwood

Year built 1977  
Location of boat Kentucky Lake  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1992  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? yes--Good size boat for the buck. The interior is large for an older 30 footer and the V berth makes a good roomy berth. Also sails well with 10 knots.  
Gear that's been added Bimini, led lines aft with cabintop self-tailing winches and rope cluthches, vang, furler, anchor roller, better swim ladder, upgraded electrical panel and various wiring, new head and holding tank system, deck wash, cockpit shower....  
Structural or complex improvements Considering moving chain plates (see below).  
The boat's best features Stability of fin keel and general sailing characteristics and interior space.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. hull flexing at chainplate knees (dimples on side of hull-considering moving chainplates to hull exterior, will also clear up side decks for going forward), icebox meltdown even with added insulation, cockpit seats get wet when side decks drain when switching tacks, nav station useless and basically in the way of acessing quarter berth, ports are not self draining, and of course the imfamous prop walk.  
Sailing characterisitcs The boat handles most conditions well but doesn't respond as well in light air or downwind tacks.  
Motoring characterisitcs Underpowered with YSB12 and a killer prop walk. Violent little diesel living under the steps but always starts when asked.  
Liveability so-so ok. Spent two months once and lived through it ok with milder weather conditons. Best for weekends and vacations. Could use air-cond, refrigeration, etc.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I work for a Hunter dealership as a service tech and 99% of the time they go the extra mile to make it right. However their design team declined to offer an opinion or suggestion on moving the chainplates to the hull exterior (see problem description above).  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought boat at Crowleys Yacht yard in Chicago and had no suprises. (except all those low bridges in downtown Chicago when I trucked it out. I was legal height but it was CLOSE).  
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