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Review of the Hunter 30_74-83 by Steve Fredrick

Year built 1981  
Location of boat Bradenton, FL  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
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 1981  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Definitely; we lived on the boat from 1981 to 1983 sailing from Massachusetts to FL; before we purchased we looked at Sabre, J-30,Catalina, Endeavor, Seafarer, Mariner, and other 30 to 32 footers. We bought the most bost for the money  
Gear that's been added Just a little! Harken furling; Harken traveler;Garhauer rigid vang; dodger; bimini; full canvas cover; genoa tracks with Garhauer cars; linedrive whisker pole; spinnaker gear; propane stove and oven; propane locker; Balmar 90 ampalternator; Pro Mariner 3 stage charger; AdlerBarbour Cold Machine (twice); all new hoses; much more than I can mention here; the boat is better now than when new  
Structural or complex improvements Rebuilt the deck under the mast step due to water saturation of the balsa core ( a baddesign flaw) using alternating layers of mat, woven roving, and tri-axial glass; replaced all standing rigging at age 16; redesigned andrebuilt the rudder by removing the skeg and following the design and balance ratio of the Hunter 37 cutter to achieve a balanced spade; the boat is faster and easier to steer; reinforced the steel mast step under the cabin sole by encapsulating it in fiberglass; replaced all ports; added a 36" wheel; completely redesinged the galley to a much more workable area; minorchanges on the Nav area; upgraded the elec. system substantially for extended cruising  
The boat's best features The boat sails well in winds from 5 to ? knots; the most we have sailed in was 45 knots upwind with a double reefed main and a storm jib ( for those who want to know, the ports were under the water for hours on end as we were racing from Clearwater to Key West, Fl. We came in fourth, but have twice placed first in other years); My wife and I loved living on the boat, but when the kids reached school age, she became too small.With all that we have done to the boat we still love her and take immense pride in her. Although we are in the market for a larger boat, we are finding it hard to replace her as she has been a very large part of our lives  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I wish that the bulkheads were bonded to the hull as this would greatly stiffen the boat; I had to back and rebed the stanchions to keep them from leaking; the joinery was bad on all the early Hunters whereas the new boats have great wood work; the mast step was a MAJOR repair which took months as I did it all myself with help from a boatbuilder friend who super-vised and instructed me; the rudder work wasFUN with great rewards.We broke a bulkhead and a cabinet once when we were thrown off a large wave onto the starboard side. The port side sliding berth flew out of its rails taking a crew member and his lee cloth with it. We later repaired.  
Sailing characterisitcs We have daysailed and weekended extensively, cruised the East Coast from Mass to FL; we have raced her in PHRF with good success against comparable boats; Two first place finishes in the heavy displacement spinnaker class from Clearwater to Key West, FL. 221 mile racesWe still love the boat after 16 years. We plan to head to either the Bahamas or Mexico in the next two years.  
Motoring characterisitcs Still have the original Yanmar 2GM15 which does well in most conditions. Keep the fuel clean and the engine runs like new.The boat will not motor well into a stiff chop or head sea which is a function of the design more than the motor. In flat seas I can push her to 7 knots but she is more comfortable at 6. The engine will smoke at 7 knots but not at 6.  
Liveability For a thirty footer, I think liveability is god. More cabinets and greater fuel and water tankage would make it great. I added a laundry cabinet in the head and a tool storage cabinet under the bottom step which both helped. I added a small fold up shelf in the galley which helped when we lived aboard. If you make good use of the available storage, you can load on food and drinks for four that will last a month or more.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) The boat had a large blister problem in 1983. Hunter supplied all the materials for repair. I did the work myself which lasted until last year when we had the bottom peeled. Hunter's current knowledege of the old boats seems poor, but I recently toured the plant and spoke with a supervisor who has worked for Hunter since 1979. He knew the boats well, and exhibited tremendous pride in his work. Hunter is thoroughly commited to providing the most boat for the money, now even more than in 1981.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Havencraft in Sudbury, Mass. A good experience.  
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