Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 33_77-83 by Thelaserguy

Year built 1981  
Location of boat Kemah, Texas  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength Select one  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2015  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Take my money! Picked this up from a non profit sailing school for $7000. Was very worried what I would find when it was delivered. Was hoping what I saved could be enough to make the boat right. I was pleasantly surprised.  
Gear that's been added GPS/bottom sounder, grafted igloo 48 quart thermoelectric cooler top to the ice box for ac/dc refrigeration, portable 13,000 btu AC, replaced water circulation pump, descaled the engine, replaced thru hull fitting for raw water, replaced engine zinc, replaced impeller in water pump, added a thermocouple on top of the engine and battery powered digital readout to keep tabs on engine temp, new deck paint, refinished teak with 8 coats of varnish. Did I mention boat was in great shape when I bought it a year ago?  
Structural or complex improvements Found a crack in the box around the mast support. Chiseled off 4 X 4 area to get a good look at what was below. Chiseled down 1 1/8 deep into the fiberglass till the crack stopped. Re glassed the area after determining the support was still solid.  
The boat's best features The way it handles heavy weather. Have taken it out in 30 knot winds several times. Just fly the 125 Genoa and do hull speed with no drama. Very dry boat, that beautifully raked bow slices through waves smoothly creating a minimum of splash and spray. There is no pounding. The first mate will look around and say honey why are we the only boat on the water today? I smile and reply cause they dont have our boat.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The engine was full of deposits when I bought it, more a consequence of poor maintenance than a design flaw. The raw water valve froze in the closed position and had to be replaced after a measly 34 years of service.  
Sailing characterisitcs Points high into the wind, accelerates like a racer, handles whatever weather comes our way, and has the room and amenities of a cruiser. Love the woodwork in the cabin, John Cherubini was a brilliant designer.  
Motoring characterisitcs Was re engined in 94 with the 18 hp version yanmar. Clips along at 6 knots at 2650 RPM sipping 0.46 gallons of diesel per hour. I have been in some stiff currents and 30 knot winds going through the Galveston jetties with adequate power and control. Could it use more? Yeah we slowed down to about 2 knots indicated by GPS. Would I trade more horsepower for less range? Nope, not a problem, patience grasshopper.  
Liveability We go on weekend trips with 3 adults with no space related issues. Id love to have a 45 with queen sized bed in a spacious aft berth, but I dont want to pay for the cost difference in mooring fees and maintenance.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) N/A  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any N/A bought from Downtown Sailing Academy in Baltimore Maryland and the transaction was easy, they transported the boat to a nearby marina for haul out, provided survey report, and answered every question I threw at them. I had been looking for several months when I found Square One and I instantly knew she was the one.  
Other comments I have done a little ocean racing and a bunch of bay racing. Been on hundreds of different boats. Would not trade Square One for any of them. I know that no matter what I run into out there this boat will get me home.  

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