Design and Construction
Mazza gave the 336 a straight sheer that rises slightly toward the bow, along with a wraparound windshield foredeck window. A bow-to-bow rubber rub rail provides protection for dinghy access. Stainless steel handrails reduce topside maintenance, while the walk-through transom makes boarding easier from a dinghy or dock.
The hull and deck earned American Bureau of Shipping Plan Approval, based on a strict series of regulations covering deck and hull structure and chainplat. Hunter Marine’s standard practice at the time used balsa-core sandwich construction above the waterline and a solid fiberglass hull below it. The outward-facing flange hull-to-deck joint was sealed and through-bolted. The builder’s era-appropriate method gave the structure a documented approval pedigree without exotic claims.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Power
The 336 carries a fractional sloop rig designed by Lars Bergstrom. Its spreaders sweep aft far enough to eliminate the backstay entirely, and the intermediate shrouds are discontinuous. Most of the sail power comes from a massive, mega-roach, full-batten mainsail. On the test boat, a 110 percent jib set on a Profurl furler completed the working sail plan.
A short traveler sits ahead of the wheel, while the bridgedeck routes sheets aft from the mast and keeps working lines off the deck. Lazyjacks make reefing and dousing manageable for one or two people. The reefs use a smooth single-line system led beneath the bridgedeck for adjustment from the cockpit.
Sailing Breezes found that the fractional rig pointed well. The boat powered up to between 2.5 and 3 knots in 3 to 5 knots true, then “really took off” in 5 to 8 knots. Writing in Sailing Breezes, the test sailors also found the 27-horsepower Yanmar diesel smooth and relatively quiet. It easily drove the boat to hull speed at about half throttle.
Cockpit and Deck Gear
The distinctive circular cockpit extends outboard to the toerail and seats six to eight people. Higher backrests and a pedestal-mounted table make it well suited to social use. Twin stern-rail seats, a stainless swim ladder, transom shower, and two transom storage lockers add practical value at the stern.
A halyard locker ahead of the companionway keeps the cockpit tidy while underway. Together with the walk-through transom, these details make the stern useful both as a gathering space and for boarding or handling gear.
Accommodations
Below, the 336 feels light and airy, with 11 opening windows and hatches. Hand-rubbed teak and ash are sealed with clear varnish.
Hunter offered two layouts. One has a large, open saloon with a full wraparound settee and a curtained forward V-berth. The other provides an enclosed forward stateroom for family or friends.
The aft cabin uses the cockpit volume to gain headroom. It includes an extra-wide queen berth, a hanging locker, and ample storage. The wraparound galley is well thought out, with twin deep basins, two cutting boards, a separate drainboard, a built-in dish rack, and glass holders. A hydraulic-assist icebox lid and a line locker ahead of the companionway complete the practical details.
Known Issues
The swept-spreader rig’s backstay-free arrangement comes with a real downwind penalty. The mainsail can’t be fully eased when sailing downwind because the spreaders get in the way.
The same geometry also produces chafe at the spreader tips. On the test boat, two sets of well-placed spreader patches addressed the problem. Buyers and owners should inspect for patched or worn chafe protection at the spreaders and understand the limitation on easing the main before committing to broad-reach cruising.
Verdict
The Hunter 336 is a thoughtfully laid-out mid-1990s cruiser. It trades full downwind mainsail control for a clean, backstay-free deck and a powerful, roached main. Its accommodations are genuinely roomy for the length, while the ergonomic cockpit and walk-through transom suit a couple or small family moving up from a smaller boat.
The ABS Plan Approval and Mazza’s measured design give the 336 credibility as a coastal cruiser, provided its spreader-chafe problem and downwind mainsail limitation are respected.
Pros
- Beam-forward hull and circular cockpit provide exceptional social and aft-cabin space for 33 feet
- Bergstrom fractional rig and mega-roach main sail well from 3 knots up
- Relatively quiet 27 hp Yanmar reaches hull speed at half throttle
- ABS Plan Approval and documented construction discipline
Cons
- Swept spreaders prevent the mainsail from being fully eased on downwind legs
- Spreaders chafe the main unless it is protected with patches
