Hunter Owner Reviews

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

Review of the Hunter 25 by Christopher Duncan

Year built 1978  
Location of boat Boothbay, Maine  
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? Yes  
Owner bought the boat in 1992  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, the boat has been an incredible value for the price I have paid for her, she is forgiving and is a great boat for shorthanded sailing.  
Gear that's been added new compass in 2004. Fresh water pump 2006, hot water heater 2006, 40 gallon fresh water tank 2006, shorepower inlet 2006, municipal water inlet regulator 2006.  
Structural or complex improvements Wired boat for shorepower with blue seas AC panel and three gfci protected outlets to ABYC standards. Rewired 12v system to comply with ABYC standards, increased battery capacity to 200AH. insulated hull with reflectix mylar bubble type insulation. Replaced old cloth coverings with black walnut. Installed pressurized hot and cold fresh water with 40 gal tank and installed shower outlet in the head.  
The boat's best features The strong construction, the ease of single-handing and the year to year maintenance affordability. This is a big little boat that is comfortable for a couple or a small family to enjoy sailing for a week or two. To my eye it looks like a sailboat with pleasing lines.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The forward hatch broke its hinges and needed replacing when a jib sheet got caught. The rudder bearing could be of a better design as the rudder post has some slop in it. The Doors to the V-berth are not very usable.  
Sailing characterisitcs I lived aboard this boat in Maine year round, I have sailed the boat in many different conditions from 30 knt winds to days where there was not even a whiff of a breeze. While dockside I have experienced freezing conditions, ice flows, and the occasional Nor'easter to include the 2007 Patriots day storm. This little boat is very strong and can take lots of abuse. Modifications have to be made to keep the companionway hatch and washboards closed during rough weather ( I use cleats and line) and the aft and starboard side Lazarette hatches must be positively latched ( I use seadog latches with pins in the locks) to prevent water from finding its way below. The boat experiences excessive weather helm when the wind pipes up and I counter with reefing although this could be due to old sails. I still have the origional sails and find the reefing Jib a very good thing to have on board. The boat will lie a-hull very comfortably. You will need to keep a hand on the tiller when sailing as she doesnt track well at all, although I have tied off the tiller and was able to take care of a quick task and still maintain course.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motoring is the least favorite time aboard the boat. The outboard has its good and bad charistics, I hate to lean back and turn the tiller throttle on the Mercury 7.5 outboard but I do love the fact that I can use it to turn the outboard and with a foot on the tiller turn the boat on a dime as it were in tight docking conditions. While Motoring in the open waters the prop will ventilate if full power is applied so I motor at around 75% power and this drives the hull fine. I wouldnt depend on the Outboard to stop the boat when approaching the docks, the outboard doesnt have the bite to stop the boat like an inboard would besides using the motor to stop the boat is a bad plan.  
Liveability Living aboard has opened my eyes to livability of boats, with careful electrical planning the boat is liveable for a very long time, but if you are to spend any amount of time aboard you will have to either find some way of charging your batteries or find a diff way to have conveniences such as light and radios. The headroom can be a bother if you are over 5'7 but the companionway hatch when open helps. In the event of rain I like to rig a "tent" over the boom so I can keep the hatch fully open. I replaced the original cusions with a stiffer foam and this has made all the difference in the world. The fixed ports would be nicer if they were opening ports as the boat can get stuffy when hatches are closed due to blowing rain or cold weather.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I have never delt with them.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any none  
Other comments I am not a fan of the bridgedeck mainsheet traveler as it interferes when you are trying to use the companionway hatch. However I have learned to deal with it and it is a small inconvenience for such a great little boat.  

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 |