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Review of the Hunter 450 by Bob and Linda Beck

Year built 1997  
Location of boat Southern Cal  
The boat is sailed on Open ocean  
How the boat is used Blue water, extended passages  
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? This seems to be a great design for livability and as time goes on I will certainly comment on its durability and sea worthiness. Initial voyages have been good experiences.  
Gear that's been added So far have added Bimini and Dodger(fully enclosed cockpit), along with a cover for the rear deck area that will convert to a Sun shade. Up-graded the stove to a Force 10 (Linda loves it). GPS,7000 Autohelm Autopilot, ST50 Wind,Depth,Speed and a repeater in the NavStation. Don't laugh but one of the things that I swapped out was the double handled faucet for a single lever/sprayer faucet in the galley. I am putting in the Link 2000R presently. Plans are for a Wind generator and Radar on a Pole arrangement simular to what Chris Oldham has. I am currently rigging for a crusing spinnacker and have but have not installed the inner Forestay. Also added the MAXprop.  
Structural or complex improvements Just been adding small shelves, one over the "desk" in the aft cabin and the other in the Galley for more Spices(Linda loves to cook) The next woodworking job will be to add cabinets in the aft stateroom for storage. Also have to find a better place for cooking utensils, no real pot locker on this boat.  
The boat's best features Livability. It also seems to handle well even in 6/8 ft following seas, I am sure there will be bigger ones and will again up-date. The 78 H.P. engine is quiet with a capital Q.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The BIGGEST problem to date has been the stupid refigerator/freezer. First it ran for days without shutting off. New refigerant /adjustment /flow valve in backwards? Now when sailing with a little heal(it is a sail boat) the water coolingl ines of the compressor get air locked which then causes the compressor to over heat , turn off, cool off, turn on.... They are working on this. Yet another problem is that I have a built in water maker in the refigerator, an option I didn't think I ordered(ha,ha). They say it is because it is not sealed well enough, will be trying additional gaskets this week.  
Sailing characterisitcs Normal Southern California, rolling seas, light winds.  
Motoring characterisitcs As noted previously, it is really QUIET.  
Liveability Coming from a house to a boat has been challenage but this boat has made it manageable. The headroom makes it feel open, the amount of ports gives enough light and again adds to the spacious feeling.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) So far they are trying to address the reffer problem, but this has been a "work in progress" for about three weeks, with no real fix yet? When I ordered cabinet hardware, very responsive. "E-Mail" is new for Hunter.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any H  
Other comments  

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