Hunter 456 Reliability & Quality

[Pirate Booty]

Would any current or former OWNERS of a Hunter 456 be willing to share their experiences regarding the reliability and quality of their vessel? (not interested in the opinion of those that have never owned one and yes, I know, a lot of it depends on how well it is maintained)

I've tried searching around the forums for this but I must not be doing it correctly as nothing is coming-up.

Cheers.

[warren460]

What year?

[boatpoker]

I've surveyed over 140 Hunters including three 456's.
I have an opinion but guess it's not wanted

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I've surveyed over 140 Hunters including three 456's.
I have an opinion but guess it's not wanted

Wanted by me. Please give your "surveyor opinion ".

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Wanted by me. Please give your "surveyor opinion ".

Yeah, we all know that owners always give accurate and unbiased reports on their boats and are the only true views, but I'm interested in your uninformed but professional opinion!

Jim

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Pirate Booty

Would any current or former OWNERS of a Hunter 456 be willing to share their experiences regarding the reliability and quality of their vessel? (not interested in the opinion of those that have never owned one and yes, I know, a lot of it depends on how well it is maintained)

I've tried searching around the forums for this but I must not be doing it correctly as nothing is coming-up.

Cheers.

Well go here then and ask owners. I find that Hunter owners on the Hunter owners site freely talk about what they feel are "bad" in an open way. Meanwhile on general sailing sites joining in on a Hunter bashing thread is like a sport.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/forums/big-boats.40/

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by Pirate Booty

Would any current or former OWNERS of a Hunter 456 be willing to share their experiences regarding the reliability and quality of their vessel? (not interested in the opinion of those that have never owned one and yes, I know, a lot of it depends on how well it is maintained)

I own a smaller Hunter. Apparently there is a big difference depending on the year although I have heard conflicting dates on this. Bottom line though, your survey should identify any of those issues. Remember that most of the equipment, Yanmar engine, Lewmar winches, etc are used by many other boat manufacturers and are very high quality.

[Pirate Booty]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I've surveyed over 140 Hunters including three 456's.
I have an opinion but guess it's not wanted

Absolutely interested in your opinion. Please and thank you.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Pirate Booty

Absolutely interested in your opinion. Please and thank you.

Ok ...... Comparing Hunters to other "mass" production boats only.

I believe Hunters have taken unwarranted bashing on this and other forums.
Yup, many of their designs are a little different but some people like apples and some like oranges. I think the sailors snobbery coming from the bashers cause' Hnters don't look traditional enough for them.

When it comes to naval architecture, structual elements, laminate types & schedules etc. I find tho' not without issue they are a bit better than any of the equivalent Euro boats.

The electrical systems are quite a bit better than the Euro boats and in some cases dramatically better. The power train installations are pretty much equal with the Euro boats. Seacocks on most Hunters are either bronze or Marlon while the Euro boats are almost universally plated brass ball valves.

[Pirate Booty]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Ok ...... Comparing Hunters to other "mass" production boats only.

I believe Hunters have taken unwarranted bashing on this and other forums.
Yup, many of their designs are a little different but some people like apples and some like oranges. I think the sailors snobbery coming from the bashers cause' Hnters don't look traditional enough for them.

When it comes to naval architecture, structual elements, laminate types & schedules etc. I find tho' not without issue they are a bit better than any of the equivalent Euro boats.

The electrical systems are quite a bit better than the Euro boats and in some cases dramatically better. The power train installations are pretty much equal with the Euro boats. Seacocks on most Hunters are either bronze or Marlon while the Euro boats are almost universally plated brass ball valves.

Thanks boatpoker, I more than value the opinion of the surveyor community and should have included that in the original post.

I've been drawn to the 456/450 because of its comfort. As you very well know, it feels much larger than a 45 foot vessel. After crawling all over various boats looking for the perfect model, I've yet to find something more comfortable in that size/price range.

The only other design, that to me, feels almost as appealing is the Catalina 470. Of course the owners cabin in it isn't as grand on account of the aft cockpit but from what I've read, is a better built boat.

Does the 450/456 even come close to the quality of the Catalina 470?

Cheers

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Pirate Booty

Thanks boatpoker, I more than value the opinion of the surveyor community and should have included that in the original post.

I've been drawn to the 456/450 because of its comfort. As you very well know, it feels much larger than a 45 foot vessel. After crawling all over various boats looking for the perfect model, I've yet to find something more comfortable in that size/price range.

The only other design, that to me, feels almost as appealing is the Catalina 470. Of course the owners cabin in it isn't as grand on account of the aft cockpit but from what I've read, is a better built boat.

Does the 450/456 even come close to the quality of the Catalina 470?

Cheers

Of all mass production boats I believe Catalina is #1 and Hunter is #2

[warren460]

We had a 2000 hunter 460. Same hull. We had very very few issues with that boat. It was well assembled, low repairs, reliable and very comfortable.

Some boats sail better, but I was very happy with the hunter in all other respects.

A lighting strike in Southern Ontario wrecked that boat for us.

So I cant comment on how it might otherwise have done on a survey.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by warren460

We had a 2000 hunter 460. Same hull. We had very very few issues with that boat. It was well assembled, low repairs, reliable and very comfortable.

Some boats sail better, but I was very happy with the hunter in all other respects.

A lighting strike in Southern Ontario wrecked that boat for us.

So I cant comment on how it might otherwise have done on a survey.

Hi Warren, I remember it well (Wallace).

[warren460]

I know that.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Well go here then and ask owners. I find that Hunter owners on the Hunter owners site freely talk about what they feel are "bad" in an open way. Meanwhile on general sailing sites joining in on a Hunter bashing thread is like a sport.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/forums/big-boats.40/

To add credence to this, when I was boat shopping I asked the owners group what to look for, and they told me to look at one very specific issue, that the boat owner was unaware of, and that they Surveyor missed too.
So they aren’t a fan club, if something’s wrong they will highlight it and look for a fix.