Hunter 326 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available. The saloon is the largest of its comparison group at 128 inches long and 90 inches wide, with six-foot settees and an amidships table seating 4–6. The aft stateroom provides a queen athwartships berth only 4 inches above the sole and 6 feet of headroom at the entrance, while the forward stateroom has just 5 feet 5 inches of headroom and a V-berth that abuts the bulkhead when the insert is fitted. An emergency exit hatch under a cockpit seat serves the aft compartment, with two storage compartments on the swim platform partially offsetting the lost seat space.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

On the used market a 326 will commonly be fitted with a bimini, autopilot, and chartplotter. Often seen are solar, lithium batteries, and a cockpit shower. Less commonly seen but possible as owner upgrades are heating, a furling main, shorthanded setup, air conditioning, an inverter, spinnaker or asymmetric spinnaker, hot water, a swim platform, and a dodger. The boat originally carried a Raymarine VHF/knotmeter/depthsounder as standard, with the mainsheet traveler arch and Lewmar primary winches originally costed options rather than included equipment.

What to Inspect

Documented known issues center on the deck and rig rather than hidden structure. The space between the pedestal and companionway is only 24 inches, a tight passage to verify for wear or modification. Period testing found the 326 the most tender of its peers, especially in moderate puffs, and noted she would benefit from a built-in foot brace since steering while heeled and sitting isn't comfortable; check whether any owner has added such a brace. The rounded cockpit described by owners as "like a bathtub" should be examined for drainage and sole condition, and the emergency exit hatch hinge and seal deserve attention given its role for aft passengers. The hull laminate from the forward edge of the keel to the stem uses hybrid E-glass and Kevlar in high-impact areas, so inspect the bow and keel junction for prior strike damage.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

Typical markets for the Hunter 326 include the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Georgia, Canada, and Australia. For a used-boat checklist: confirm the B&R rig and arch hardware are intact and through-bolted; verify the saloon and aft-cabin volumes match the stated dimensions; test the Whitlock rack-and-pinion steering for responsiveness; inspect the forward stateroom headroom and V-berth insert clearance; and review the standard Raymarine instrument package and any added bimini, autopilot, or chartplotter. Choose a privately owned three-cabin example if maximum interior commonality is desired, but do not disregard ex-charter boats lacking documented neglect.