Hunter Owner Reviews

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

Review of the Hunter 40.5 by Ron and Vickie Fantozzi

Year built 1995  
Location of boat Sandusky, Ohio  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Definitely! I wish we would have bought her years ago! Nice hull lines. She has all the comforts you need for cruising and still has good speed. Does well in heavier winds and seas. Good use of interior and exterior spaces. Had very specific points we were looking for in our next boat and found them all in the Legend 40.5  
Gear that's been added Last year put in a fuel polisher and large filter. This year will add an asymmetrical spinnaker.  
Structural or complex improvements Nothing  
The boat's best features Comfort and space without the loss of traditional sailboat lines and performance.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. We have not had this problem but have heard of some issues with the forward head as far as smell or leaks beneath the floor. It is a long trip for waste to get to the holding tank and requires a long rinse down the hose. We found it filled up the holding tank too quickly. Mostly it is just the two of us, so the forward head does not get used anymore.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sailed from Sandusky to Cleveland, during which the winds were on the nose, building to 30s with building seas. Took an extra day and many extra tacks but felt very comfortable with her handling those conditions. Not as much control with following seas but no worse then other boats. Responsive. When reefed will probably handle more than I care to experience. Not a light wind boat.  
Motoring characterisitcs We have added a fuel polisher and larger filter. After motoring back from Cleveland to Sandusky, had engine issues. Turned out to be bad fuel and clogged filter despite annual service work. Engine had run and now again runs like a dream. Extra hp really comes in handy, especially coming in and out of Mosley's channel.  
Liveability We spend week vacations and every weekend on the boat. Plenty of space for storing food , gear and clothes. The refrigerator/freezer is very roomy and with the doors that open top and front, you can reach everything without crawling in upside down. We have overnight guests with children frequently, and we are comfortable as long as things get put away after they are done being used. Plenty of head room in the fore and aft births and sleeping for 2-3 in the salon. There is room in the cockpit to sleep/nap as well. The table swivels out of the way and can be elevated and place against the wall like a bar.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Bought from a private owner and have had not issues to have to go to Hunter with.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Our Broker, Bob Shephard from Midwest, listened to what we were looking for in a 36-38 foot boat and showed use many makes and models of sailboats that had some but usually not all of it. He talked us into looking at this boat even though it was a little larger. We knew when we went below that this was the boat. Practical and beautiful.  
Other comments We have been to the boat shows since we have bought her and come away thinking we have the perfect boat for us. We have not seen one we like better even though they are bigger and more luxurious.  

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 |