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Review of the Hunter 340 by Bernie Smith

Year built 1997  
Location of boat St. Pertersburg, FL  
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?  
Owner bought the boat in 1997  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. It is exactly what I was looking for and I've been more then happy with its design, construction and performance.  
Gear that's been added Rigid Boom Vang, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Third Battery, Bimini  
Structural or complex improvements None.  
The boat's best features It looks good and feels right. Plenty of room in the cockpit and downstairs. Can be sailed alone and with two it is very comfortable to sail. If you are lazy or without crew you can just unroll the jib and sail in light to moderate winds. The arch is a great addition allowing for a very open and safe cockpit. My wife and daughters really love the aft swim platform with cockpit shower. Hunter really stocks this boat with good quality basic gear.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Minor. Quarterberth door was warped at top but hopefully as I type it has been replaced/repaired. Bilge pump cycled on and off because water would back flow into bilge. Dealer installed a low-pressure check valve and now it's fine. Had to replace starboard jib sheet because jib sheet stoppers tend to cut into jib sheets. These jib sheet stoppers are far from ideal and hopefully have been improved on later boats. I understand there is a fix for this but I haven't gotten around to it. You have to be dead to wind and careful when hoisting the main. The fully battened large roach on the main tends to get caught in the lazy jacks. Not a big problem, you just can't grab the main halyard and pull till it's topped.  
Sailing characterisitcs With the caveat that I'm a rookie sailor, I will say the H340 sails very well. I've been in light to 25-30 knot winds. I did experience a lot of weather helm while in the stronger wind (double reef and full jib) but I think it was my own sail trim that caused it and I'll work on improving that.  
Motoring characterisitcs No problems. Plenty of power for what I need and she handles well.  
Liveability Two could survive comfortably. Quarterberth is large. V-Berth is large enough for my 6'2  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Have not had to deal with Hunter directly. Dealer has handled all minor problems.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Sailor's Wharf in St. Petersburg, FL. They have been great. I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in purchasing a boat in this area. I make a list of things for them to correct and they do it. They're friendly and concerned. I'm sure I'll buy my H410 from them in a few years.  
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