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Review of the Hunter 40.5 by Ron and Wendy Hughes

Year built 1994  
Location of boat Portland Oregon  
The boat is sailed on Rivers  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in '99  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? When we bought our first Hunter, a 35.5 in 1995 we never imagined we would feel comfortable handling a boat of nearly twice the displacement: The 40.5 at 20,000 lbs, but we most certainly do! If we had it to do over again we would have bought the 40.5 in the first place. Not because the 35.5 was a bad boat, quite the contrary, it was a great boat, but we wanted the room for systems, speed, storage, aft headroom etc. from the beginning. We just didn't feel capable of handling such a large boat at first. Some of our closest friends took our advice and bought a 40.5 as their first big boat and now they don't have to wish that they'd gotten one in the first place like us.  
Gear that's been added In addition to the factory equipment our boat has: A 45lb CQR with 200ft. of 3/8  
Structural or complex improvements  
The boat's best features It's sailing qualities, coupled with truly beautiful lines come to mind first. Followed by well thought out interior and galley. The Bergstrom rig is strong and easy to tune and maintain. The straight cockpit seats (for stretching out). The aluminum toe-rails for ease of hardware attachment(bumpers and snatch blocks). The dutchman main sail handling system.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I like the strength of an inner grid pan for the hull, but it makes it impossible to examine the inside of the hull or to find a leak in the event that the hull is punctured. I do wish that there had been better cleanup as the boat was being built, I'm forever cleaning up saw-dust shavings and crud from lockers etc.  
Sailing characterisitcs We love it. In the Columbia River we most often short-tack about every 2-3 minutes! It is nice that the 40.5 tacks so easily and carries way so efficiently. It is pure bliss to set the whisker pole and run wing and wing in 20- 30kts of breeze. The assymetrical spinnaker makes 4- 15kts really rewarding. Adding a back-stay adjuster will make her stand up in more wind without reefing as early.  
Motoring characterisitcs She handles very well both in forward and reverse. Our Max-prop makes her stop on a dime and gain way easily. I've been told to expect 3/4kt of increase in speed under sail. But just don't forget to put it in reverse to feather the prop!  
Liveability We have never spent more than a week aboard without stepping ashore. But we would have loved to have stayed longer! We really like our 40.5 a lot!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Perfect! Eddie Breedon is an absolute gem in customer service! Hunter has taken excellent care of me every time I've called.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Sailboats of Oregon is not a good place to buy a Hunter. We got a great price on the boat and then we got reamed on the accessories. Buy elsewhere and ship it home.  
Other comments  

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