I have sailed some of the older, in fact, the oldest of the Hunters, three of them in fact, and they did, in fact, sail well in the winds I had them in, top speed only 15 knots. But they were obviously too lightly built, small chain plates, thin wire for the standing rigging, undersized turnbuckles, and the like. These were the Hunters that gave Hunter an apparently indelible bad name, that and pricing that made them obviously cheap boats.

I'm going from memory now, but sometime in the eighties, Hunter was sold to I don't remember whom, who was determined to serriouly improve the mark. Almost first thing off they built a 41 1/2 racer-cruiser for MORC, and won everything in sight against everybody in sight. Beat us a couple of times, when Warthog was fleet and lake(Norman) champion (600 competing boats), and, if I remember, when Warthog held the Carolinas' J-29 championship.

Then they started to build boats to compete with the Catalinas. These were pretty good boats, but they came in at prices just under Catalina, and I don't think that Catalina sailors ever forgave or forgot those early Hunters. That's where the rather unfair hostility to all Hunters came from. One result is that you can get a pretty good (and a capacious) boat inexpensively. It isn't as if Catalina isn't a price boat. I think of mine as one of those good post war Chevys. Catalina isn't CandC; it isn't even S2, but the boats are strong enough. I've hand mine out in enough blows (+20s) to appreciate its handling and strength (I did equip it with the new recommended spreader s and standing rigging., which make sure you get or that you get $1200 off the price).

Moral: be careful.

Rudy B.


michael mcvey wrote:

Some of the older hunters are quite nice sail well and are a good deal the 28.5 being one of them as is the S2 it is a fine boat sails well very livable for the size. My prejudice will always lean towards Catalina but you have a list of fine boats and seem to be doing your homework I'm sure you will do well with whatever your choice is good luck on your hunt.


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:24:09 -0700
    From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
    Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Advice for a potential C27 buyer
    To: [email protected]

    Thanks to all who responded - what a welcoming group!  To offer a
    stranger access to one's boat like a couple of you have is
    something that I can only hope to pay forward at some point in the
    future.  As of now I'm lining up a few different boats to go look
at with my wife - including a C27, a Hunter 28.5, and an S2 9.2A. No C30s for sale in the area at this point that either have the
    options/are in the condition that I'm looking for or are in my
    price range.
I certainly have learned a few things to add to the list of
    "to-do" items while evaluating a boat and once it gets down to it
    getting a survey done by a skilled surveyor will be paramount.  If
    only my money tree would start bearing fruit...
Thanks again for the help with such a significant purchase!
    Ross
Oh - and for Dave specifically - GO SOX! (native New Englander,
    ex-Bostonion here...)


    DaveBreski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

        I had a 27 for a number of years – it was a great boat, I
        single handed it a lot and camped out on board by myself
        frequently.  For me as a solo sailor it was great – as a long
        term stay on board boat it was lacking.  Even at my meager 5’
        8 180 lbs I was cramped – never used the v-berth because it
        was too uncomfortable and a pita to get in and out of.   I put
        a lot of effort and new engine it only to end up selling it
        last fall after the SO and I spent a week long cruise on
        board.   Now I’m looking for something in the 30’s – that’s
comfortable enough for 2 to spend a lot of time on board. Don’t get me wrong it’s a great sailing boat and generally
        good value for the money – but unless you like camping in a
        small tent – and since you like the 30 I’d think about finding
a 30 – you really don’t want the wife being disappointed - Dave
        Cape Cod, MA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        From: [email protected]
        [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Russ
        Dearmore
        Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:23 PM
        To: [email protected]
        Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Advice for a potential C27 buyer
Ross, I'm only 5'9" and 195 and although I love my 27' I am
        really weary of the bending and twisting involved with any
        activities done below.  I'd ask myself how much time I would
        spend single handing the boat.  If you would usually have
        someone to help crew (wife?)  then I'd enthusiastically
        recommend the 30.  The 27' inboard is very difficult to work
        on.  Slide into the port side cockpit locker and see if
        you have a prayer of a chance to inspect the transmission
        fluid.  Every time I get in there I spend 2 days of bed rest
        because of a back operation.  Sleeping is not comfortable to
me but again it may be due to the back. In short, I'd get a very used 30' and improve it as
        budget restraints allow.  It will be much more enjoyable for
        the wife (extremely important, I can't emphasize this critical
        point enough) and your enjoyment will be enhanced  also.  It's
        amazing what some fiberglass work and paint will do to make a
        tired looking boat look nearly new......
             As Ralph so accurately pointed out the head routine is
        not to be underestimated.  The 30 is basically just a more
        enjoyable boat.  Put your money in improvements on the right
        size boat so as not to lose the work you put into your first
        boat.  It's sad to see all that labor and money go to the next
owners wallet. Bargains are out there so just be patient. Hope I haven't angered to many 27 lovers because for it's size, it's the best........
        Ross Aresco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

            Hi All,
I'd appreciate some advice here. I've been researching
            diligently for the best first boat for my wife and me (no
            kids just yet) and have had my heart set for a while on a
            C30.  However, with trying to save up for starting a
            family, etc. I'm thinking that it may be the best decision
            financially to start with a more typical (and
            cheaper) "starter boat" and then move up in a few years,
            versus spending at least $10-20K more for a C30 and moving
            right to the boat that we could grow into.  Yes, I know
            that if you amortize that over a number of years it
            doesn't add up to much, but it does right now.
How do you like your C27s? I've never sailed one - but
            they're clearly super popular and can handle a variety of
            conditions.  For the same accoutrements that we'd
            like (newer sail inventory, well maintained engine,
            pressure hot/cold water, generally well maintained boat)
            you can land a C27 for so much less than a C30, I'm
            thinking that this makes more and more sense.
Part of my apprehension, however, is that I'm 6'3" 260lbs
            and I'm a bit worried about feeling like Will Ferrell in
            Elf while onboard!  We're in Erie, PA so we'd ideally like
            to do a lot of day/evening sailing, some weekly club
            racing and ideally do some weekend trips west past
            Cleveland and north to Canada.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! ~Ross



        Change your thinking, change your life. We are guided, we are
        guarded, we are healed, we are blessed.....



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