New boat opinions please

[pwilletts]

HI..Im looking at Hunter36 as a family costal cruiser...no long trips 4 people max overnight...the 36 seems a reasonable size although the 38 is nice also...any general comments on choices in this range???

[Ocean Girl]

Welcome aboard.
What year is the hunter?

[barnakiel]

36 to 38 ft is often a nice fit for crew of 4.

Try to match the boat well with the type of sailing that you are going to do. Horses for the courses.

b.

[DDabs]

Don't know where you are located but there are a plethora of boat shows coming up in the next few months. Hunter should have displays at all of them if you haven't already taken a closer look already.

[pwilletts]

seems there was a model change at2005..... dont know much about the 356

[DDabs]

The older 36 is a Cherubini design and a much more seakindly design than the newer 356.

[Don C L]

The 36 is the one from the early 80s right? In terms of size I think it is fine (36 has enough room for 4,) for coastal cruising as you describe I think it is fine too. Check that 30 year old engine, if it hasn't been replaced. Of course the 38 is roomier and has the swim step off the transom, I don't think the 36 does, need to check that. If you can afford it, for what you are describing, I guess I'd say go for the bigger one. Personally I think the Hunters and others were designed for the kind of sailing you are describing. Get a survey and sail it first!

[Rdsykora]

I'm very new to sailing and bought a 2000 Hunter 340 and love it! Roomy enough for my two young kids and wife loves to cook and prep food. The v berth is only big enough for 1 person in my family and that goes to my 10 year old girl. My boy sleeps on the fold down dinner table and the back is plenty roomy for my self and my wife. Good luck.

[hamburking]

The Hunter 36 Vision mid 80's-90's, although very pretty below, had a free standing mast. I never cared for that design. Hunter is always pushing the limits for the next new big thing, but that rig was a bad idea.

I owned, and obviously prefer, the Hunter Legend 35.5, early 90's edition. Massive bunk in the aft cabin (great for parents with young children to share), and a very respectable vee cabin for another couple. Sugar scoop stern, walk thru transom with shower, another shower below, reasonable draft and an easy rig to singlehand, including single line reefing. The 37.5 and 40.5 are pretty much the same, but more...more space, more draft, more money.