Hunter 34 Sloop

[Charlesc]

Selling my hunter 30 and moving up for liveeaboard space.

Lookng at couple of hunter 34's in the 1983 to 1985 vintage. ear stories abt chain plate failures, mast comprssion etc. Any advice since im leaning toward a 1983 hunter 34 that is nicely equipted and in my budget.

Thanks


Will be sailing Mobile Bay gulf coast.

[Ocean Girl]

In the 80s it was hit or miss with the Hunters, just take a good look at it, the bad ones are pretty easy to spot. They are good sailors.
Hope you find your boat.
Erika

Add deck to hull joint to your list to carefully check

[Euro Cruiser]

By now, evidence of mast compression - if any - should be quite evident. Chain plates are life-limited items and the material of which they are made is usually independent of the price of the boat. Instead, look at how easy it will be for you to remove them for inspection/replacement...as for that age of boat, that will likely end up on your To Do list. (Glassed in? Access to fasteners sufficient to work a ratchet while holding a bolt head?) Hull/deck joint will be difficult to fully examine, I suspect, due to the liner - and the inevitable dark/tight spaces into which we try to force our bodies. So where this is difficult, look for signs of water damage and mold. Sometimes, even the 'smell' will tell you what you can't see.

I would think a 'good' version of this boat is very suitable for your purposes.

Jack

[Steve W]

I raced on 2 of the mid 80's 34's and they do sail well. One had the 21hp Yanmar and the owner really thought is was very underpowered and griped about it a lot. The other had a 27 Yanmar and it seemed better suited for the 34. I liked the real aluminum toe rail. Both boats had problems with soggy crossbeams in the cabintop. Pretty big job to replace. They both replaced the mast supports. Is this the model that the stuffing box required the engine to be moved forward to replace packing? Enjoy the search!

[slomotion]

For owner reviews go here:

HunterOwners.com

These boats make fast, roomy, easy to sail cruisers. But like any boat of this vintage, condition is everything. Also, they were built in deep (5'6") and shallow (4'3") draft versions.