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We are not primarily on earth to see through one another, but to see one another through
Some people are like slinkies: not really good for anything... but you can't help laughing when you push them down the stairs
Practical Sailor reviewed the 49 ,,, as much more streamlined than many previous models ... significant strides toward easier maintenance.....taking great measures to ensure that this boat lives up to its bluewater billing ....moderate passagemaking potential with sufficient comfort, and relatively low maintenance ..."...
DD
It's great you have a new Hunter lined up and that you are pleased with what you're buying. That is certainly the most important criteria for any new boat! And the best of luck with her.
But you have a long row to hoe if you want to personally turn around Hunter's reputation on a forum like this! Hunters have made somewhat crappy boats since day one, or seriously crappy depending on model, boats targeted at first time buyers, who are by definition, buyers who don't know boats.
Its good to see that Hunter may have improved some of their production processes and even added some solid design points to their new boats. So Hunters may not be as crappy as they used to be, but that is damning with faint praise. They certainly are very peculiar designs. To my personal eye, with the Clorox bottle styling and the oddball port shapes and locations, they look pretty ugly if not downright silly! You may be happy with a rig with no backstay, but I sure wouldn't want to be the one testing it offshore.
I cannot comment from current experience on their new boats - I guess because based on 35 years of sailboat ownership I avoid them like the plague - other than to observe that they are still seem to be bought by the same type of buyer, someone who has more money than expertise. You know that is true, because if they had a modicum of expertise, they'd pay a little more and at least get a Catalina.
How many times have you heard this dialog "Hey we started sailing and bought our first sailboat" "Whuddyaget?" " We bought a Hunter..."
As to the BOY award, unfortunately Cruising World seems to handle that award just like Motor Trend's Car of the Year - always given to a big advertiser, such as when Motor Trend gave that designation to the 1971 Chevy Vega. Doesn't mean anything at all. No matter how they may improve their production techniques, a Chevy remains a Chevy, and a Hunter a Hunter.
I guess to each their own, but if you want to evangelize here for your brand, you have to expect to hear some different perspectives. I hope I haven't been too frank.
Last edited by sailingfool : 11-26-2006 at 11:23 AM.
I cannot comment from current experience on their new boats - I guess because based on 35 years of sailboat ownership I avoid them like the plague - other than to observe that they are still seem to be bought by the same type of buyer, someone who has more money than expertise. ... I hope I haven't been too frank.
The small amount of sailing experience I have dates back to my first boat 42 years ago, a 16-foot clinker-built sailing dory that took me up and down the Straits of Georgia and up most of the BC central coast inlets. My tool kit consisted of such things as saw, plane, caulking irons and mallet, and my spares were a few planks and some oakum. I was younger then, and a tent ashore was my master cabin. Sailing a ship's whaler from Samoa to Tonga further taught me that onboard accommodation and creature comfort were an important aspect of this sailing thing.
My first "real" sailboat was a ten-year-old 1969 Bill Garden designed Mariner 40 ketch with its full-keel, overly thick glass hull and its endless hours of teak caprails, taffrails and trim. In her I solo-sailed much of the Pacific Northwest and she taught me that my next boat would have less brightwork, would be more sprightly in light airs and that I needn't pay moorage for 48 feet of overall length to get 30 feet of waterline length.
Some of my other lessons along the way were a 1976 Valiant 40 teaching me about osmosis, hull blisters and delamination and how much interior space is lost with a rounded stern and just how dark a sailboat interior can be. She also taught me that beating to windward should be easier. A 1977 Hallberg-Rassy 41 ketch instilled in me just how expensive it is to repair, replace and maintain non-standard and low production equipment and fittings.
I took a hiatus from sailing in the late 90s to restore a 1973 Kersholt 14 meter steel cruiser and explore the canals and rivers of France. With the canal boat sold this spring, I again turned my attention to sailing.
Sailingfool, I may lack expertise; however, I am not a sailing fool, I certainly do not have limitless funds, nor am I a novice at this. This is not my first sailboat, but it is my first new one and it seems to satisfy more of my current needs than anything else, new or used in the current market.
I have no problem with the fact that Hunter "pissed in the pickle jar" in the past, and all at Hunter agree that they had problems in the past. From what I see now with Hunter is that there is a new jar with a new batch, and it smells good. So good, in fact that I am eager to crunch into one.
Here's a Youtube link to a video review of the Hunter 38 that was done by John Kretschmer for "Latitudes & Attitudes TV". He's also done the Hunter 31 and 45CC, and is scheduled to review the new 49.
I've spoken to John about this, who is extremely knowledgeable about boat design and construction, and he is impressed with the improvements that Hunter has made in the last 4 years or so.
__________________ "Always approach the dock at the speed you wish to hit it."
s/v VENUS
1978 North Sea 33 Pilothouse Cutter (Ta Chiao)
I am currently shopping for a new boat, and as a 30+ year sailor, and former J boat owner, I was not a Hunter fan at all when I started the process. After much shopping and research, I am impressed with the Henderson Hunters. I finally got to sail one a few weeks ago and was very pleased with the handling and ease of sailing. The boat sailed very nicely. The new Hunters are a clear leap forward from the old designs.
I was not a Hunter fan at all when I started the process. After much shopping and research, I am impressed with the Henderson Hunters.
During my long and rather exhaustive search for a sailboat last winter and spring, I initially ignored Hunter based on my knowledge of their past and concerns about their quality. However, wanting to be thorough in my research, I did eventually looked at their current offerings and the more I saw and learned, the more I liked.
One of the prime lessons I have learned over the years in building and operating a one-man multi-million-dollar business is that a company's history and past performance show only what they have done. While inferences can be made from their past, this history does not show what the company is now doing. We have all seen products turn from top-of-the-line to low quality, often with a rather rapid decline. Many of us, however, seem to deny that the change in quality can also be in the opposite direction. We need to look at current performance, not at stale data.
A decade ago, who would have dreamed that Volkswagen would be building Rolls Royce and Bently? Things happen.
I agree. Remember the Iacocca turn-around at Chrysler? Sailors tend to have a very long memory, and tend to be reluctant to change. Therefore, J Boats, due to the J24 and J22, will always be viewed as the performance standard, regardless of what they make. Hunter, like Catalina, went through a bad period. Nevertheless, I think Hunter will make major inroads with the new line.
I like to think that I have a little bit of knowlage regarding sailing. Maybe not so much in the construction but I have to tell you this.
1) I toured the Hunter factory about 3 weeks ago. (before I ordered a 49) It was not a "setup" in anyway, shape or form. As far as a "hair curling" story, well I doubt their isn't a business around that has not had them.
I was very impressed with what I saw. I can also tell you that I felt the Hunter employees took pride in what they were doing and turning out a quality product. Hunter's employee ownership certinly does not hurt.
2) I took the 49 (hull #1) out for a test sail in 15-20 knot winds (LI Sound)in late September. all I can tell you is that it felt like I was in 8 to 10. The Henderson Hull just cut through the waves. A first class ride. I loved the way it handled at a number of different points of sail. I really loved how it handles in close Quarters. Will it be a pig in light winds? Probably but what heavy displacment boat isn't.
3) I looked at a number of other boats in this size range and you know what, they all use the same parts like Lewmarwinches, Harkin roller furlers, etc. etc.
4) When I told my racing freinds I was buying a hunter 49. They said why not a Pacific Seacraft or a Saber. Why a Hunter? my answer is simple, Value.
The Hunter is made every bit as good as those other boats and had the features that I was looking for at a discount of 20% or more. Please don't even give me that Price = Quality as justification for any purchase. Try the buying power that they have between Hunter, Mainship, silverton and Luhrs. Add in the design and enginering colabrative of that group and you can get a pretty good product at a pretty good price.
For the record, I've been sailing for close to 30 years and have owned a number of sailboats including a 1982 Hunter 33 (great boat). I still crew aboard a couple of different boats for racing.
Look, love your boat, its your boat. You bought it for your own reasons, I don't need to be justified in your decision.
I think that says it all, when it comes to forking out your cash. All companies, boat builders or otherwise, either improve, or go under, and it seems Hunter is making a solid effort to improve. Best of luck with your new boat.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
I participated in the North American Ralley to the Carribean (NARC) several years ago and sailed from Newport to Bermuda. I was on a Swan 48. There were other boats making the trip including a Hunter 50. After passing the Gulf Stream We hit 15 to 20 foot seas and Gale Force winds (we clocked winds in the 45 to 60 range) for 36 hours. The Swans and J Boats handled things OK. But the one Hunter which was on its maiden voyage did not handle it well. All the chain plates showed rust stains from a few days at sea. The boom had snapped, stantions were bent. The Hunter limped in to Bermuda. The Hunter may be fine on inland or coastal waters but unless things changed a whole lot I would not go to sea in one.
"Always approach the dock at the speed you wish to hit it."
Things happen.
