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Review of the Hunter 41 by Robert Whiteside

Year built 2005  
Location of boat New Jersey  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Multi-week coastal cruising  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, For years we have seen many new boats at boat shows and have been very happy about the space, our layout, our amenities and the quality of our boat. We sail with 3 POB primarily from NY to NJ Coast and up to New England in the summer. She has been a very confidence inspiring vessel easily handling rougher weather where we have experienced up to 10 foot seas.  
Gear that's been added Generator, Davits, Sailing Dinghy, Feathering Prop, Gyro, Bimini, Dodger, Vertical Battens, Fortress FX55, 170 feet chain and a nicely spliced snubber otherwise the boat is extremely well equipped including electric toilets.  
Structural or complex improvements None  
The boat's best features Great sailing performance - frequently sailing in excess of 7 knots and can exceed 8 knots. Very comfortable cockpit and reliable autopilot. Ease of reefing in heavier air. Stable powerful sailing performance. Tremendous accommodations within a 41 foot vessel.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Foam cushions are a bit soft and in need of replacement. We'll opt for stiffer foam replacement. Inner spring mattresses are a bit cheap and we plan to replace with latex foam.  
Sailing characterisitcs This vessel tracks very well through either flat or choppy seas. She drives forward at all times and accelerates brightly on a puff. The chop is almost non existent - you can see it but it does not register in the motion of the boat. She has an extremely easy motion on the water. In rougher weather she is confidence inspiring.  
Motoring characterisitcs She motors very well at 2200 rpm around 7 knots with the 54 hp and in a pinch you can run the up to 3000 rpm and exceed 8 knots. She really sips fuel around 2200 rpm. Engine is quiet and extremely clean running compared to our other Yanmar 3GM. With the large spade rudder handling around the docks is incredible, with excellent steerage under one knot. Steerage in reverse is also exceptional, and makes it easy to avoid challenging departures out of our slip in the North winds.  
Liveability Simply fantastic, at anchor with the snubber and chain she has a nice rhythm in the winds. We have adequate storage for frozen foods for our 3 week trip each year. Toward the end we do a bit of replenishment but we never run out of stowage for frozen foods. She has storage under the cabin sole in front of the refrigerator for beer and soda which is very convenient. Electric toilets and fresh water in the heads eliminate all odors from the heads aboard. These head units are very reliable and one of the best improvements aboard. We also love the salon where we lower the table and the entertain ourselves and all of our friends with evening movies after sunset. Our son love his forward completely self contained birth with head, shower, storage and pullman birth.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Hunter parts has been a great help in terms of finding the correct replacement parts. In terms of our first boat, our previous H340, we found them knowledgeable and helpful when dealing with a few contentious issues with the deal. With the H41 they have been nothing but helpful.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Mixed, our first dealer LI Yacht Sales, with the used H340 was not good. We had major problems with the first boat as a result of it having been run aground hard and the keel had separated from the keel sump. We had a difficult negotiation to make things financially correct. Our experience with Sandy Hook Yacht Sales when purchasing our H41 was excellent in every way, from negotiation to commissioning. I would work with Kevin McGettigan again at any time. But Sandy Hook dropped Hunter as a supplier and we were being serviced by JP and Michelle at Waypoint Marine Group and they were fantastic. Waypoint is now defunct so we are now expected to be serviced by LI Yachts but we will not do business with them.  
Other comments We are amazed that after the last 5 years that we have owned her that we are still as happy about all of the features, functionality and performance. There have been very few boats that have made us think twice. Nothing in the same price range has made us ever think twice about our purchase - she has been a true joy.  

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