Hunter Owner Reviews

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Review of the Hunter 31_83-87 by William

Year built 1986  
Location of boat Tuscarora YC, Wilson NY  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
How the boat is used Racing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 5-6  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1986  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. In general, it's an excellent boat, with fine cruising and racing characteristics.  
Gear that's been added Nope.  
Structural or complex improvements Nope.  
The boat's best features Compared to other boats in its size range, it has superior ventilation (because of all the ports and windows) and is very bright inside (again due to all the windows).  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Although it is not a factor with us, the front berth is too small for most adults. The occasional problems we've had with the cast iron keel can be lived with. (Use Rustoeum!!)  
Sailing characterisitcs In racing, we've had trouble sailing to our PHRF handicap (but this is largely due to the small number of Hunter 31's sailing in Lake Ontario). The boat is great in a good breeze, but, like lots of heavier cruising boats, doesn't do as well in light air. We should probably get a cruising spinnaker (when we get back to cruising).  
Motoring characterisitcs The Yanmar is very reliable (and economical).  
Liveability It's very liveable (but, of course, there are usually only the two of us). The big stern berth is enormous  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Only once, and perfectly satisfactory.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any The price was right, but I don't think I'd buy a boat in another country (Canada) again, because the paper work involved with U.S. Customs was much more complex than we had anticipated. In addition, it was difficult to solve problems involving the commissioning of the boat across an international border.  
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