Hunter 32 Vision Information, Review, Specs

Hunter Marine, founded by Warren Luhrs in 1973, established a reputation for building accessible and enjoyable sailboats by applying production line efficiencies from his powerboat background. During the era of the 32 Vision's production, Hunter was evolving its focus from purely racing boats to more comfortable cruising designs, integrating innovations derived from Luhrs' own record-breaking single-handed ocean races.

History and Design

The Hunter 32 Vision entered production in 1988 and continued until 1994, reflecting Hunter Marine's shift towards designs that prioritized comfort and ease of use. While the specific designer's philosophy for the 32 Vision isn't extensively detailed in available records, Hunter's broader design ethos during this period, under Warren Luhrs' direction, emphasized balancing performance with comfort and handling, appealing to a wide range of sailors. The company became known for comfortable family cruisers, a philosophy evident in the 32 Vision. The Hunter Design Group, under Luhrs' guidance, was responsible for the boat's creation. There is no information to suggest significant variations like MkI or MkII during its production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Hunter 32 Vision is known for its effortless sailing characteristics, often described as a "lazy sailor's boat". With a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 18.06, the 32 Vision is well-balanced for coastal cruising, suggesting respectable performance in light to moderate winds without being overly sensitive. Her Ballast to Displacement ratio (Bal/D) of roughly 0.39 indicates a moderate level of stiffness and stability, allowing her to stand up to a decent breeze. The Displacement to Length ratio (D/L) of about 255 places her in the mid-range of cruising boats, indicating a solid, but not overly heavy, displacement for her length.

Owners frequently praise the boat's ease of handling, especially for single-handed sailing. While critics concede that the boat performs well on a reach and downwind, largely due to its substantial mainsail, sailing close-hauled into the wind is also generally described as good. The 27 HP Yanmar diesel engine provides adequate motoring characteristics.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Hunter 32 Vision is celebrated for its spaciousness and abundance of natural light. While specific headroom details are not widely available, the overall layout borrows from European designs, featuring a transverse double berth. The boat typically includes a small galley counter with an icebox. Owners have highlighted the "wide-open cabin" as a key feature. Descriptions and diagrams from the period indicate a standard interior arrangement for a boat of its size. Based on Hunter's general reputation for comfortable family cruisers, the finish quality would typically involve a blend of fiberglass and wood trim, prioritizing practicality and a welcoming atmosphere. Owners appreciate the interior layout.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners consistently commend the Hunter 32 Vision for its comfortable motion in a seaway and its overall ease of sailing, making it an excellent choice for day sailing and protected salt water or bay cruising. Many describe it as a great boat for learning. Its solid construction is a frequently mentioned strength. The "free-standing mast," while unique, does not seem to detract from owners' satisfaction with its sailing performance, even though it's sometimes playfully referred to as a "telephone pole".

While general satisfaction is high, common issues noted by owners are not extensively documented as recurring widespread problems. However, as with any boat of its age, potential buyers should be mindful of routine maintenance areas common to all vessels from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Owners have generally reported incredible times aboard this vessel.