hunter 356 sailboat data

The Hunter 356 is a 35.5ft b&r designed by Glenn Henderson and built in fiberglass by Hunter Marine (USA) since 2000.

500 units have been built..

The Hunter 356 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a fast cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a short water supply range.

Hunter 356 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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The Hunter 356 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hunter 356, an aft-cockpit B&R sloop, was designed by Glenn Henderson and built in the USA by Hunter Marine.

Published Specification for the Hunter 356

Underwater Profile:  Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  35'6"  ( 10.8m)

Waterline Length:  30'7"  ( 9.3m)

Beam:  12'0"  ( 3.7m)

Draft:  6'5"  ( 2.0m)

Rig Type:  B&R 

Displacement:  13,900lb (6,305kg)

Designer:  Glenn Henderson

Builder:  Hunter Marine (USA)

Year First Built:  2000

Number Built:  500

Published Design Ratios for the Hunter 356

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio :  20.0

Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  36.1

Displacement/Length Ratio:  217

Comfort Ratio:  24.5

Capsize Screening Formula:   2.0

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Hunter 356

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.0 suggests that the Hunter 356 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 36.1 means that a sailboat like the Hunter 356 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 217, tells us the Hunter 356 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 24.5 suggests that crew comfort of a Hunter 356 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.0 tells us that a Hunter 356 would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.

The Hunter 356: A Great Choice for Recreational Sailors

The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson and introduced in 2000 by Hunter Marine, one of the largest sailboat manufacturers in the US. The Hunter 356 is part of a scaled series that includes the smaller Hunter 306 and 326, and was later developed into the Hunter 36-2 in 2008. The Hunter 356 won the award for Best Production Cruiser Under $200,000 from Cruising World magazine in 2001, and has been praised for its value, quality and performance.

Accommodation

The Hunter 356 has a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of natural light and ventilation from the many ports and hatches. The boat can accommodate up to six people in two separate cabins and the saloon.

The forward cabin has a large V-berth that can sleep two adults comfortably, with storage lockers underneath and shelves on both sides. There is also a hanging locker and a vanity with a sink and mirror on the port side.

The aft cabin has an athwartships double berth that can also sleep two adults comfortably, with storage lockers underneath and shelves on both sides. There is also a hanging locker on the starboard side.

The saloon has a U-shaped dinette on the starboard side that can seat six people around a large table that can be lowered to convert into another double berth if needed. There is also a settee on the port side that can seat two people or serve as a single berth.

The galley is located on the starboard side aft of the saloon, and has everything you need to prepare meals on board. It has a two-burner stove with oven, a double stainless steel sink with hot and cold water, a top-loading refrigerator/freezer, a microwave oven, and plenty of storage cabinets and drawers.

The navigation station is located on the port side aft of the saloon, opposite the galley. It has a large chart table with storage underneath, an electrical panel, a VHF radio, and space for other instruments and devices.

The head is located on the port side forward of the saloon, next to the forward cabin door. It has a marine toilet with holding tank, a shower with hot and cold water, a sink with vanity and mirror, and a wet locker for hanging wet clothes.

The boat has a generous amount of headroom throughout, ranging from 6.4 ft (1.95m) in the saloon to 5.8 ft (1.77m) in the aft cabin.

The boat also has a 12V DC and 110V AC electrical system, with outlets in every cabin, a water heater, a battery charger, and a stereo system with speakers.

Hull and Deck The Hunter 356 has a solid fiberglass hull with a balsa core sandwich construction for stiffness and insulation. The hull is white with a blue boot stripe and a gold cove stripe. The deck is also fiberglass with a balsa core, and has molded-in nonskid surfaces for safety and traction. The deck is white with gray accents.

The boat has a wide and open cockpit, with high coamings and comfortable seats. There is a stern rail seat on each side of the cockpit, which provides a great view and a place to relax. There is also a folding cockpit table that can be mounted on the pedestal for dining or drinks.

The boat has a walk-through transom that leads to a swim platform with a folding ladder for easy access to the water. There is also a hot and cold water shower on the transom for rinsing off after swimming or diving.

The boat has stainless steel bow and stern pulpits, stanchions, lifelines, handrails, and cleats for safety and durability. The boat also has an anchor locker on the bow, with an electric windlass for easy anchoring. The boat comes with a Delta anchor with chain and rode, as well as a spare Danforth anchor.

The boat has an aluminum toe rail that runs along the edge of the deck, which provides extra strength and attachment points for blocks and lines. The boat also has six opening ports, four fixed ports, five opening hatches, and two dorade vents for light and ventilation.

Mast and Rigging The Hunter 356 has an anodized aluminum mast that is deck-stepped on a stainless steel compression post. The mast is 55.33 ft (16.87 m) tall from the waterline, which means it can clear most bridges and power lines. The mast has two sets of swept-back spreaders and no backstay, which gives it more support and reduces the load on the masthead.

The boat has a fractional sloop B&R rig, which means it has a large mainsail and a small jib that are both furling. The mainsail is mast-furling, which means it can be rolled up inside the mast by turning a line on the cockpit. The jib is roller-furling, which means it can be rolled up on the forestay by turning another line on the cockpit.

The boat has stainless steel wire standing rigging that connects the mast to the deck at four points: the chainplates on both sides of the hull near the shrouds, and the stemhead fitting on the bow near the forestay. The boat also has low-stretch polyester running rigging that controls the sails: halyards to hoist them up, sheets to trim them in or out, outhauls to adjust their shape, and reefing lines to reduce their size.

The boat has all lines led aft to the cockpit through organizers and clutches for convenience and safety. The boat has two self-tailing winches on the cabin top for halyards and reefing lines, and two larger self-tailing winches on the coaming for sheets. The boat also has two winch handles that can be stored in holders on the coaming.

The boat comes with a mainsail cover that protects the sail when it is furled inside the mast, as well as a UV protection strip on the jib that protects it from sun damage when it is furled on the forestay.

Keel and Rudder The Hunter 356 has a fixed fin keel that gives it good stability and performance upwind. The keel is made of lead encapsulated in fiberglass, which makes it strong and resistant to corrosion.

The boat has an internally-mounted spade-type rudder that gives it good maneuverability and responsiveness. The rudder is made of fiberglass with a stainless steel stock and shaft that connects to the wheel steering system through cables and pulleys.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Other sailboats in the Hunter range include:

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• Sailboat Guide

Hunter 356 is a 34 ′ 6 ″ / 10.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Glenn Henderson and built by Hunter Marine starting in 2000.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Shoal Draft model: 5’.

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Best Production Cruiser Under $200,000: Hunter 356

• By Tim Murphy
• Updated: December 17, 2001

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In the pages of Cruising World, we’ve often lobbied boatbuilders for more affordable, seaworthy cruising boats of modest size that, in the spirit of the 1960 Pearson Triton, open the possibilities of cruising to more sailors. Seven of the boats we sailed come closest to answering that request. These are series-built sloops of traditional cruising design marked by moderate displacement-to-length and sail area-to-displacement ratios as well as simple rigs and sail plans. Of these seven boats, three are priced below the $200K mark.

The Etap 34s is a sprightly sloop from Belgium that’s built with enough foam between its hull skins to keep floating–and sailing–even after it’s fully flooded (though we didn’t get the chance to test it that way). The Beneteau 393 is a spacious, two- or three-cabin sloop modeled on last year’s successful 473.

But the boat that stood out was the aft-cockpit Hunter 356, a boat Ralph called “a paradigm shift for Hunter.” He liked the influence he saw from Glenn Henderson, a yacht designer known for his performance boats; for a little over a year, he’s been Hunter’s in-house designer. “Henderson’s input has really come through. This girl, driven hard for a shoal-draft boat, balanced nicely and drove fairly easily.”

Alvah found the cockpit layout clean. “I liked that big stainless-steel arch with the main traveler on top of it. It was a good handhold and a good location for cruisers to add wind generators, solar panels, or antenna, and the stainless-steel work was good.”

As on all the boats, including those that took prizes, there were a few items the judges would have preferred to see different. “I was concerned about those large lockers on the sugar scoop that drain into the bilge,” said Alvah. “They’re well gasketed, but I think the first thing anyone would need to do is get bigger hinges and better latches and make absolutely sure they’re not opening that kind of area that low.” It’s a trait that would be more serious if the 356 were intended as an all-oceans passagemaker, but Hunter calls it a coastal cruiser. The European Community rates it “Category B,” with usage limited to seas of four meters (about 13 feet) and winds of Force 8 (40 knots).

Compared with Hunters past, many interior features on the 356 were upgraded: Corian countertops, solid teak woodwork instead of veneers, radiused corners with fiddles. “The galley was squared away,” said Skip. “Nice freezer, good insulation. The Adler/Barbour compressor under the settee had good ventilation and very good access to work on it.”

Skip liked the electrical installation, too. “Hunter’s put antichafe around all the holes in all the bulkheads that have plumbing or wiring coming through, something most boats twice the price, three times the price, don’t do. Also, they left lots of slack in the wire leads at the electrical panel so you could pull them out and work on them.” The helm drew praise from Ralph: “I liked their steering concept: a drag-link system with a sealed rudder tube that ties the deck and hull together. No leaks, no need for a stuffing box.” Alvah liked that the wheel was small enough to walk around.

Carol summed up her impression of the 356: “It was a comfortable boat to sail. The design concept was stability with a shoal keel, and I think it met that.”

In today’s new-boat marketplace, this 35-footer, priced at $114,000, stands out as a remarkable value.

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"Owner opinion" on the Hunter 356

• Thread starter Tony
• Start date Nov 20, 2002
• Hunter Owner Forums

Hello Everyone,We have almost made up our mind to purchase a new 2003 Hunter 356...the problem being we have not sailed one.We were to wait till next spring to take a test sail & decide at that time whether or not it was the boat for us.However....., recently we have come across a deal that is very hard to pass up & we would really appreciate any comments from owners of the Hunter 356 including all the good points as well as not so good points.Sincerely, Tony & Josee  

356 Feedback Boy, I have nothing but good things to say about the boat having had mine since April (on Lake Erie). There were some major leak problems with it but come to find out the Hunter Factory found out that it was missing its "pressurized leak inspection" signature at the factory so they've been real good about getting those things handled. I love the accommodations on the boat, the feel of the boat (large, yet manueverable) and it clips along nicely at 5 to 7 knots in 10-20 knot winds. I wrote a review of my first sail on it last April that RCR Yachts (the dealer in Buffalo, NY) ended up putting on their website........here: http://www.rcryachts.com/356review.htm you can read it if you like. By the way, please email me what the 'deal' on the boat is that is so good right now, I'd be curious to know ([email protected]). I can't imagine you would be disappointed in the boat if you want a comfortable, fast cruising boat that can be sailed well short-handed.  

John Dorsett

We may be buying one too. TonyWe have been looking at the 356 for a few months and have taken it out for a test sail twice. My wife and I sail in Long Island Sound and we currently have a Catalina 30. We are recreational sailors and do not sail in bad weather if we can avoid it.The first test sail however was with an ASA instructor as the salesman was not available. We were aprehensive as the wind was 20 to 30 knots with 3 to 4 foot seas. The instructor unfurled about 1/4 of the main (in mast furling) and a small amount of the genoa. The boat heeled over about 15 to 20 degrees and we were doing 6 knots. What was remarkable was the balance of the boat and the way she sliced through the waves. We were very comfortable and impressed. We did let out a little more of the main and started to experience some leech flutter as has been described in this forum. We changed our heading headed down and the flutter stopped.The second test sail had similar conditions and we did not have the boat balanced as well. We were with the salesman and not the instructor. The boat still handled well but did have some weather helm. We have been reading posts about hatch and port leaks on the 356 and that has us a little concernedWe have also test sailed the Catalina 350 which was OK but we did not appreciate the cabin layout. Also the boat was ~ $20K US more.We are currently negotiating with the dealer on a 2003 with in mast furling, bimini arch traveler, dodger cushions A/C wind instruments, refridgeration freezer and an auto pilot.I would certainly like to know what others have paid as I can't seem to get a good reference price.MarcP  

Jim Seamans

Love the Boat Tony and anyone else,I have had my H356 for three weeks now and cannot begin to express the fun we have had. The trip from North Carolina was something else and showed me what a wise descision my wife made in making me buy this boat. Under what I would call severe conditions the boat handled very well. The professional captain was amazed at the handling abilities and the ease of changing sails. Roller jib and main. Made him happy.My dealer let me put on several options myself, like autopilot and it saved lots of money over what they wanted me to pay.Want to talk price, email me [email protected]JimS/V Java  

A very good boat Glen Henderson designed a wonderful boat. In light winds she almost sails herself. She needs to be reefed earlier and deeper than I am used to, but with more and more experience we’re finding the right combination of main and jib to sail comfortably in 25 to 30 knots. We had the vang position changed and now the main sheet can be two blocked. The main looked better in light winds. We are expecting some nasty weather this Saturday for a seven hour slog to windward back to the dealer. I’ll let you know how she handles and if the leech flutter is gone.If you talk to anyone with a scoop transom you’ll hear about wave slap against the hull. It is not bad at anchor where you’re pointed into the wind, but at dock you’ll be amazed at how loud it can get in the aft berth and how annoying can be. The “slap silencer” available from the chandlery on this site is worth the$260.The 356 sails around her anchor more than any other boat I’ve owned. I’ll be thinking about how to rig a riding sail without a backstay this winter. Any ideas out there?The 22 # Delta anchor and 12 feet of chain that come standard are too light and too short. I’d recommend trading up to the 35 and adding 20 feet of chain. Then of course, you want a windlass – a very nice addition and great for keeping peace in the marriage.The double bow roller will not hold two properly sized anchors without damaging the hull. Hunter knows about this and if enough people complain, maybe we'll get a real two anchor roller.If you do any single-handing you want the autopilot. The winches are not set up for single-handed sailing. I’d up-grade to the 5000 with a hydralic ram. It fits nicely into the large lazzarret. It’s out of the weather and powerful enough to steer in waves. The archives have stories of the 4000 slipping in tough weather. (Both Beneteau and Jeaneau use the 6000 series for the same size and weight boats.)I’d also recommend a chart plotter. I’m just amazed every time I turn it on.If you get refrig you’ll need more battery capacity. I am using 2-27’s in parallel with a third for the engine. I’m hoping not to have to upgrade to 4-D’s and a larger alt. We’ll see.The in mast furling is certainly easy to use. You loose about 12% performance in light air, particularly to windward when you are sailing the aft half of the sail. ( The 12% comes from Henderson) However, this boat is so fast and so light with such a tall rig that I expect those with full roach mains are reefing at 15 knots or lower. Given the light winds on the sound, it’s something to think about.Hunter has always been a lot of boat for the money. The 356 is also a fine boat for the money. It is easy and fun to sail and with a few modification can take you most anywhere you want to go.Will S/v Natural Magic  

Tony Email Please Tony,Please E Mail me at [email protected]  

Mark Millham

I love mine IN all, I've had very few problems, and most were commissioning items that are a nuisance rather than serious safety issues.The worst i've had her in is 25 kts and 4-6 ft seas. She tracks straight as an arrow. The helm gets stiff over 6 knots due to the hydro forces on the rudder, but my 4000 autopilot handles this just fine. The dealership delivered her in 6-8 ft seas and 25kts. They were very pleased, as this was their first loong cruise.The loose footed main takes a bit of an attitude adjustment in trim, but sails well into the high teens and low 20's without reefing, if you don't mind the heel to 20-25 degrees. Very, very stable!Plenty of room below and I use the freezer for a beer cooler. That's because I have yet to fill the huge fridge to capacity!I guess I can't say enough about her. If you want more specifics, feel free to call me 207-775-6000 x 1232, or e mail me [email protected]Go for it!  

Yes Our experience is consistent with the other postings. All in all, we love the boat, and it's a terrific deal for the money. We have the standard main, not roller, and I really like that, as well. I sail on Lake MIchigan out of Milwaukee SSYC. Feel free to call or email, 414-297-5537, [email protected].  

Jil and Dan

Great boat We bought the boat without sailing it first. We were a little concerned but the price and the dealer helped us make up our mind. It was the best thing we ever did. We and our partners just returned from a weekend in Newport. We have sailed it to Mexico and to San Diego and it has not disappointed us. The only problem was we should have had it waxed when we first got it and that would have solved some waterspot and small rusting issues. The boat was kept in Mexico for the first few months and there was construction nearby the deposited dirt on the boat and we were not there to wash the boat often. When we returned from Mexico we had the boat detailed and waxed and now it is very easy to keep clean.  

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• Hunter 356 Info Center

Downloads for the Hunter 356

HUNTER 356 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of HUNTER 356. Built by Hunter Marine (USA) and designed by Glenn Henderson, the boat was first built in 2000. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 10.82. Its sail area/displacement ratio 20.03. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Yanmar, runs on Diesel.

HUNTER 356 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about HUNTER 356 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the hunter 356.

HUNTER 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.

Who builds HUNTER 356?

HUNTER 356 is built by Hunter Marine (USA).

When was HUNTER 356 first built?

HUNTER 356 was first built in 2000.

How long is HUNTER 356?

HUNTER 356 is 9.32 m in length.

What is mast height on HUNTER 356?

HUNTER 356 has a mast height of 13.69 m.

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Marlow Hunter Hunter 356

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Hunter 356 - Anyone sailed on one?

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I am looking at purchasing a 2002 Hunter 356 which I really like. Everything I can find about the boat says it is well constructed and sails well and my wife and I really like the layout. My wife liking it is HUGE. I have read 3 or 4 published reviews and they have all been positive. I will be scheduling a sea trial and having it surveyed but am looking for any feedback from current or prior owners of this boat. What do you like or not like about this boat? How well does she sail? Anything I should be concerned with? Any feedback you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  

I have a 2003 326 and the wife and I are enjoying it. Ours has the furling main which make it easy to handle in most any wind. They are lighter than other boats in their class but you just reef the main early and pass others by when the winds are light. This is our second season and we're very satisfied with construction and sail handling.  

There are 21 owners' reviews posted on hunter.sailboatowners.com  

I'll say it again... I think the 90s era Legend boats (35.5/37.5/40.5) are far better boats (better looking, better rigged) than the era you're considering...  

Faster, why are the legend boats better constructed? What specifically makes the 356 of poorer construction?  

I know nothing about them but did some Googling, what an amazing boat the cabin layout looks great: 2002 Hunter 356  

Actually I never said 'better constructed".. I think they are better looking boats, as good or better interiors, and a much nicer, conventional (full backstay/non B&R) fractional rig. I would expect construction issues are more or less on par, but don't know either way. This is personal opinion and preference... I also don't like the 'hot tub cockpit' style they adapted at that time - but to each their own , nor the 'bayliners with rigs' look (to my eye) No offence to all the happy owners - and in the interest of disclosure, I've only sailed past them, not on one... Click to expand...

Thanks for pointer to 21 reviews on Sailboatowners, didn't find that before. Read through and all were positive and very happy with boat. I looked at Legend 35.5 and it is pretty but a review said there were a few things to look for that likely need repair. My current boat needed a lot if work and while I enjoyed doing it I want my next boat to be ready to go, no work needed. The Hunter 356 seems to fit that, just up to me to keep up with maintenance of course. I have seen concern about the non standard B&R rig but not from owners or those who have sailed them. I want a reliable, comfortable and well sailing boat and everything I find about the 356 says thats what she is.  

maccauley123 said: I have seen concern about the non standard B&R rig but not from owners or those who have sailed them. Click to expand...

Thanks Don, that is pretty much what I have heard, just takes learning some different lessons. Whats funny is all of the criticisms I heard about the rig come I think from those who have never sailed it. It almost seems to be its different and I don't like it. From those like you who have sailed the rig the comments have all been positive. Thanks.  

BTW - it should be noted that the 356 was recently on Cruisers World of the 40 Best Boats. Whether you agree or not with the list you should still consider that there is something to it and that the 356 is probably a pretty good boat!  

Don, I've been looking for the Cruisers World reference you make below and can't locate it. Can you point me to a URL? I have the 2001 best production boat under 200,000 reference but can't find the more recent reference you noted.  

Faster, that's why I posted this looking for people who actually sailed the 356 to get their impressions from actual experience. I agree that real experience is the only one I can give any validity to. Based on the 21 owner reviews, 4 professional reviews, 2 awards and various other comments from owners and those with experience on these boats I can find very few complaints and I think I have a winner.  

Hunter 356 is luxurious  

Thanks Don, appreciate it, I hadn't found it yet and was still interested. I know the list is very subjective but I still consider it being on this list one more solid recommendation. Many of the boats on the list I clearly recognize as those pointed out many times before in many places as excellent boats. As you said, for what it's worth, it puts the 356 in distinguished company.  

My family and I have lived aboard our 2003 Hunter 356 "HANNAH" for 9 years now. We've lived in California (Ventura, Monterey) and Washington (Bremerton). HANNAH has delivered us safely from San Francisco to San Diego and everywhere in between. She has also cruised the entire Puget Sound and well into the Gulf Islands of Canada. We take her out as often as we can for overnighters and vacations to the Channel Islands. Most recently we spent a week cruising in the SoCal Ta-Ta along with 40 other boats. HANNAH has been a great live-aboard! The interior is beautiful and easily one of the most comfortable 35-foot sailboats in the marina. I personally like the sugar-scooped stern and protected cockpit. The large lazerette is enormous and holds an inflatable dinghy, 6-hp outboard, foldable bikes, and roll up paddle-boards. The systems are well laid out and easy to operate. A LOT of thought was put into her design. Be weary of opinions of folks who have never owned or sailed a 356. There are quite a lot of opinions out there. Contrary to popular belief, our Hunter has not had a rig collapse, keel or rudder inadvertently fall off, or catastrophic fiberglass failure causing her to sink. This next summer we are moving to San Diego. In the future we plan to sail Mexico and the Caribbean. I have little concern that our Hunter, safely equipped, will get us there. Happy sailing on whatever boat you choose!! Cheers, Travis S/V HANNAH Hunter 356  

We have a bilge keeler in the Channel Islands, UK. The boat is amazing - home from home in the marina and safe as houses in a blow. You do have to reef early, the sail area is immense and can be uncomfortable above 15 knots unless the area is reduced if its on the beam. Easy for us with in mast reefing. I would buy another tomorrow, though I do think that the older models are actually superior to the latest offerings. Thee huge cockpit locker on the 356 is seldom seen nowadays, we fit a life raft, two folding bikes, seat cushions etc etc in there. If you found a good clean one buy it quick and enjoy........  

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2003 Hunter 356 Technical Specs

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2002 Hunter 356

2002 hunter 356 specs.

• Boat Type : Monohull Sailboats
• Quantity: 1
• Horse Power: 27
• Type: Diesel
• Hull Material : Fiberglass
• Beam : 12'0"
• Length : 36'
• Net Weight : 14900 lbs
• Looking for the Boat Manual? 2002 Hunter Boats 356 Request Boat Manual Now

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