Hunter Build Quality?

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailingfool

The review at Boat Review by David Pascoe - Hunter 28 provides some insight.

Ai yi yi! That's incredible!

No offense to the many Hunter owners out there: But I would really have a hard time giving my custom to a boat builder that would allow something like that out the door with their name on it. Things like that tell me either they have no respect for themselves, they have no respect for their customers, or both.

[T34C]

I'm keepin my mouth shut... No really!

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by brak

By the age of boats you are looking for, initial build quality matters much less (unless manufacturer did something extremely different, either bad or good). So, don't worry about build quality much. Worry about particular condition of a particular boat. They are all different and all have different problems. Anything build in that timeframe will definitely have a whole laundry list.

I'm aware of this. (Thanks for pointing it out, anyway.) But: All else being equal, ISTM the better-engineered, better-built boat would be the better boat, no? And that's what we have to assume for the sake of a discussion like this: All else (e.g.: maintenance/condition) being equal.

[Brezzin]

Originally Posted by SEMIJim

Thanks for the detailed comments, Dave. I think that's just what I was seeking.

So if I'm seeking a good used boat on a relatively tight budget, I'm looking for a "late 70's" (would that be '78 & 79', then?) thru '82 Hunter, it seems. (No earlier than '77 and no later than '83, at the outside?)

Jim

I like the Cherb's between 80 and 82. I don't much like anything else that Hunter put out before or after. Until you get to the later/larger models.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by sailh34

It is not a Tartan or a Sabre.

I gather, by that, your opinion is that both Tartan and Sabre are generally, or more consistently of better quality. I'm thinking that maybe I best stay with them, then.

[SEMIJim]

And btw: I sincerely apologize for potentially reviving an apparently long-standing flame-war subject . I should've searched on the subject, first. It's not like I'm a 'net n00b and don't know any better.

Anybody that wants to comment but would prefer to avoid entangling themselves in a food fight: Feel free to PM me with your comments, if you're so-inclined.

[sailh34]

Yes, I don't think anyone would disagree that Tartans and Sabres of the same vintage of any Hunter is of higher quality. You will, however, pay for that quality. Those boats of the same vintage will likely cost twice that of the Hunter. It is what you want to pay for and what you want to use the boat for that is important. If that is what you want and/or need, go with the more expensive boat.

[camaraderie]

I agree with Dave's assessment of Cherubini vs. later Hunters. I disagree about things changing when henderson arrived in 1997. He MAY be making a difference NOW on a few NEW models (time will tell) but I see no evidence of improvement in any of their previous designs OR build quality right up to about 2004.
I've seen enough comments about changes in the 3 newest models to believe that there may be some much better boats NOW...but with 20+ years of cutting corners...pardon me if I wait a couple of more to see how the new ones hold up.
If all you're gonna do is bay sailing...anything will do but I would personally rather have a similar sized Catalina or Beneteau (certain models only!) if I were buying a used production boat unless you are looking at Cherubini's.

[Cruisingdad]

I agree with Cam. If you are looking at those numbers, look at a Bene or Catalina. Seriuosly!

- CD

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

I agree with Cam. If you are looking at those numbers, look at a Bene or Catalina. Seriuosly!

- CD

We were looking at mid-70's Catalina 27's, but found their cabin amenities unsuitable. So we've upped the budget and have been looking at 28-30' boats. Really like the Sabre 28. But, while there seem to be plenty of those in good-to-excellent condition elsewhere in the country, there seems to be a dearth of them in the S.E. Michigan area--even the Great Lakes area, in total . Looked at a couple Bene's on-line and they were priced well outside our budget ($15k). I think if we just wait for what we want, we should be able to find something we'll love in a Sabre, Tartan or Pearson. (Those are three for which I've seen high praise for quality, pretty-much consistently, along with C&C.) I've seen some likely-looking Pearson candidates, but my wife doesn't like 'em, for some reason . So the search continues.

We've only been at it for about three weeks or so. Looks like this is going to take a lot of patience.