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Review of the Hunter 27 by Les Blackwell

Year built 2008  
Location of boat Bellingham & Friday Harbor, WA  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2009  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes! I am approaching my eighties in age (2012) but still want to sail. So I bought this boat with furling mail, furling jib. Pretty much standard boat brand new. The boat is a dream to sail, very responsive, is quite dry but I don't take it out in heavy weather. The jib is small so tacking is very easy, hardly ever use the winch handle. The main is big however, it is easy to furl up whatever is necessary to good sailing. Even in light airs the boat will move and even if I don't set the sails properly, it will move. Nice to have a responsive boat. Under power it will do 5 to 6 knots, tracks well.  
Gear that's been added I've added the following: asymmetrical spinnaker with turtle bag, Webasto diesel Furnace, upgraded to a Raritan manual head, 3 Blade Max prop, replaced the one battery with two AGM group 31 batteries (it was overkill), put on a dodger, BottomSider cockpit seats, and best of all, a WinchRite power unit for the winches. This latter unit has allowed me to continue sailing as I can't winch for long. And it does the job better then me. Companionway doors from this web site. I put on the following electronics: Wind speed and direction, boat speed, depth and autopilot--all Raymarine. The autopilot is the X-5 which I am very pleased with--no problems at all. I'm using the Garmin 400 series car/boat navigation GPS and have looked at the Raymarine E6 but think the present setup will do, particularly since I use the iPad.  
Structural or complex improvements We moved the batteries around until the boat was level. But no structural work has been changed.  
The boat's best features Just about everything on this boat is excellent. I love the R&R rig and the furling sails. Won't sail a boat without them. With the WinchRite I can have furl the sail out or in in minutes with little strain. The sugar scoop transom works great, especially for my wife and I who have troubles climbing over the side. Head room below. Quiet and smooth running engine (Yanmar 15 hp). Interior design and adequate storage.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. When we first go the boat, the main sail was not cut properly for the furling system. It had to go back to the factory to be re-cut. The wet cell batteries were placed in such a manor that you could not check or fill the cells with fluid. the battery charger quit a year after buying the boat. Factory replaced it.  
Sailing characterisitcs I've sailed for fifty plus years and this boat handles well. It points to about forty five degrees into the wind. It prefers fifty degrees but it will point. I don't go downwind--B&R rigs just don't do that. But on a broad reach it is an easy boat to sail. Nice weather helm. It has five foot lead keel so the boat stays upright however it is a lightweight boat so there is active motion on waves. It is lively.  
Motoring characterisitcs Boredom! The little Yamar (15 his) just purrs. Starts on first try. Uses little fuel, so little that I fuel up twice a year (10 gallon tank) and that is with my diesel furnace running at times. I generally use the autopilot which has "learned" the boat so it hardly steers much at all. I just sit there in the cockpit and watch the world go by.  
Liveability This boat is plainly a day sailor and an overnighter at best for me and my wife. It could be a good boat for a young couple who can adapt. But it is not a long distant cruiser. I have used it for myself for an overnight cruise. It has a large stern queen size bunk but you have to be in love to use it as there is not a lot of space over it. Cooking is on a two burner stove that really is one burner, butane and electric. Refrigeration is nothing more then an electric cooler for drinks. No air condition but we don't use that in the northwest  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I've had ten sailboats over the years, the last five have been Hunters. I like their designs, I like their construction and I like the way they take care of their customers. Eddie Breedon has been there for me on a number of occasions and their parts department have shipped out parts when I have needed them. It is a great company.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any This dealer was good but then I have had some experience dealing with dealers since I bought ten new boats. It took a while for me to convince them the mainsail on this boat was wrong but they finally agreed. The dodger wasn't right when I got the boat and they got it fixed for me in the proper manner. Good dealer although they are not the Hunter dealer now.  
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