Hunter Channel 323 - Opinions...? Alternatives...?

misterg

misterg

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We've been tentatively looking at bigger boats, and one of these caught SWMBO's interest. It's absolutely immaculate, but is on the dear side for us (£45k+). Before considering whether to push ourselves / try to cut a deal, I would appeal to the assembled experts to voice their opinions as to whether it would be worth it.

Our absolute requirements are that there must be 4 berths outside the saloon, reasonably 'modern', preferably able to take the ground (bilge or lifting keel), probably not >33' or super complex for ease of short-handed sailing, and yet still be rewarding to sail.

How would the Hunter compare to (say) a Westrerly Tempest, or Storm ? (All bilge keel).

Cheers,

Andy
 
Andy

I have owned a Hunter Channel 323 from new. Great boat. PM me if you want to discuss this further. Although I can't make any comment on the Westerleys, I can tell you about the Hunter.

Dave
 
I'd like to know more, if possible. Better on the forum, if you're happy to post it, but by PM if not.

(PM sent to both of you).

Thanks v. much.

Andy
 
Hi
Great boat to sail. Lots of bad home completed ones but then again some good ones as well. my recomendation is look for factory finished one unless you really know what you are doing (hidden surprises etc) . osmosis is common so get a survey but great to sail.
 
Thanks folks.

In no particular order:

I had no idea that there was the possibility of these being home completed - I *think* the boat in question was fitted out in the factory, but I know to look carefully now - thanks!

Sadler 34 would be a possibility - we'd gone as far as the 32, but (sadly) ruled them out (and the 29, which I would love) because they only have a quarter berth aft.

Thanks for the reassuring comments on the Westerlies, too. I'm puzzled why the asking price for the Hunter should be so much more than similar sized Westerlies, though??

We haven't stopped looking yet....

Cheers,

Andy
 
DipperToo said:
I built a 323 a few years ago and recently sold it to trade up to a Southerly. the surveyor made interesting observations about other Hunters he had seen. Ping me if you also want any more details.

Stewart
Click to expand...
Hi Stewart - sorry I couldn't see how to send a PM. I don't suppose you could share the surveyor's observations on the other Hunters he had seen please. Conor
 
We had a bilge keel Tempest and, without a doubt, the favourite of all our boats. Roomy heads up front with a large locker right in the forepeak (usefully accessed from above and inside). Comfortable saloon with loads of locker space. Separate chart table and seat. Twin double cabins with good size berths. The cockpit is very comfortable to sit in and work; the inboard mounted winches work really well. I'm getting proper nostalgic writing this! Downsides: head linings (or course) can be quite expensive to replace. The hull gelcoat can yellow a bit but is thick enough to sand back and polish. She doesn't point incredibly well (like most bilge keelers). Can't think of much else. They seem to be asking between 20 and 30k at the moment. For any boat of that age, you'll need to budget for the usual upgrades and replacement stuff of course.
 
SimonD said:
We had a bilge keel Tempest and, without a doubt, the favourite of all our boats. Roomy heads up front with a large locker right in the forepeak (usefully accessed from above and inside). Comfortable saloon with loads of locker space. Separate chart table and seat. Twin double cabins with good size berths. The cockpit is very comfortable to sit in and work; the inboard mounted winches work really well. I'm getting proper nostalgic writing this! Downsides: head linings (or course) can be quite expensive to replace. The hull gelcoat can yellow a bit but is thick enough to sand back and polish. She doesn't point incredibly well (like most bilge keelers). Can't think of much else. They seem to be asking between 20 and 30k at the moment. For any boat of that age, you'll need to budget for the usual upgrades and replacement stuff of course.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot for sharing that Stewart
 
misterg said:
We've been tentatively looking at bigger boats, and one of these caught SWMBO's interest. It's absolutely immaculate, but is on the dear side for us (£45k+). Before considering whether to push ourselves / try to cut a deal, I would appeal to the assembled experts to voice their opinions as to whether it would be worth it.

Our absolute requirements are that there must be 4 berths outside the saloon, reasonably 'modern', preferably able to take the ground (bilge or lifting keel), probably not >33' or super complex for ease of short-handed sailing, and yet still be rewarding to sail.

How would the Hunter compare to (say) a Westrerly Tempest, or Storm ? (All bilge keel).

Cheers,

Andy
Click to expand...
I have been aboard all three boats. The Hunter is a fine boat, but I found the aft cabin a bit dark. It is a newer design than either Westerly, so looks slightly more modern.

A lot of people find the Tempest layout a bit strange and is considered a marmite boat, you either love it or hate it. There will be a Tempest at the Southampton Boat Show for you to check out, the owner loves it. The Storm is far more roomy and has a forward cabin, an aft cabin plus aft heads. Also is a larger and fast boat.

Tempest 31 - Westerly-Wiki

Storm Cruiser - Westerly-Wiki

My choice of the three suggested would be the Storm, provided the condition of the boats was the same.
 
Concerto said:
I have been aboard all three boats. The Hunter is a fine boat, but I found the aft cabin a bit dark. It is a newer design than either Westerly, so looks slightly more modern.

A lot of people find the Tempest layout a bit strange and is considered a marmite boat, you either love it or hate it. There will be a Tempest at the Southampton Boat Show for you to check out, the owner loves it. The Storm is far more roomy and has a forward cabin, an aft cabin plus aft heads. Also is a larger and fast boat.

Tempest 31 - Westerly-Wiki

Storm Cruiser - Westerly-Wiki

My choice of the three suggested would be the Storm, provided the condition of the boats was the same.
Click to expand...

Yes I have sailed on all three and so based on performance and comfort the Storm wins.

The Channel 323 did some North Sea crossings and I did most of my sailing while it was in Norwegian waters. It was a comfortable boat but often needed help from a Geneka to get going . The size of the jib was somewhat limited to suite the self tacking areangement. The boat did 4 North Sea crossings including a North Sea race.
 
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