Hunter 340 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 340 is built on a solid fiberglass hull finished with thick gelcoat, the hull-to-deck joint through-bolted and trimmed with a continuous rubrail. The deck-stepped mast is steadied by a system of support struts in addition to the shrouds, and the spade rudder is internally mounted rather than hung on a transom bracket — a detail that reduces exposure to damage and avoids the quadrant-and-chain steering connections that are a common source of trouble on boats of this era. The lead ballast is bolted rather than encapsulated, adding up to a ballast-to-displacement ratio just over 37 percent — adequate for a coastal cruiser, though not the stiff platform a bluewater sailor would want. With a displacement-to-length ratio just under 211 and a comfort ratio of 21.45, the 340 sits in the coastal-cruiser band of Ted Brewer's motion-comfort scale, exactly where its intended use places it.

The B&R Rig and Sail Plan

The most discussed feature of the 340 is its fractional B&R rigged sloop derived from the system invented by Lars Bergstrom and Sven Ridder. Swept spreaders and reverse diagonals replace the conventional backstay, allowing for a large roach mainsail that generates considerable power. The 110-percent working jib is deliberately modest in area; the mainsail carries the majority of the sail plan, with a reported total sail area of 682 square feet and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22, which places the 340 firmly in high-performance territory for a cruiser of its displacement. The arch spanning the cockpit supports the mainsheet traveler, which means tacking crew never need to move to clear a flailing sheet — a genuine convenience for social sailing. The arch also accepts a bimini, speakers, and line bags, and its material changed from fiberglass on the earliest models to stainless steel starting with the 2000 build year. The jib sheet winches, however, are mounted on the cabintop rather than the cockpit coaming, which means they cannot be reached from the helm — a compromise that makes singlehanding distinctly awkward.

Handling Under Sail

Out on the water the 340 shows the trade-off inherent in its rig. The large mainsail and small genoa combination creates noticeable weather helm when sailing upwind, and reefing early — at around 15 knots apparent — is the standard prescription from experienced owners to bring the helm back into balance. That same combination means the swept spreaders prevent the main from being fully eased downwind, limiting reaching and running angles. The boat's hull speed calculates to 7.16 knots, and owners report typical upwind speeds just over 7 knots in reasonable conditions. The PHRF handicap averages 141. While the 340 is competitive in club racing, its design intent is clearly the coastal passage rather than the race course. The Edson rod-and-arm steering connects directly to the rudder, bypassing quadrant and chain connections, which simplifies the steering system and reduces one chronic maintenance concern.

Accommodations

Below decks the 340 punches well above its waterline length. Standing headroom is 6 feet 4 inches throughout the main saloon, and the layout provides two private staterooms — a V-berth forward and an aft cabin — plus a convertible dinette and settee that sleeps three, for a total berth count of seven. The galley runs to a two-burner LPG stove with oven, microwave, double stainless steel sink, refrigerator and freezer, and a Corian countertop. The freshwater tank holds 75 gallons, more than most coastal sailors will need for a weekend. The head compartment is unusually generous, with a full enclosed shower. Ventilation throughout is handled by opening ports with screens and multiple deck hatches, including a pair of dorade vents. Three hanging lockers are spread between the two private cabins. Standard factory equipment included a marine VHF radio, depth sounder, knotmeter, and a hardwood cabin sole, making the base boat reasonably well outfitted without significant investment.

Known Issues and Weak Points

Inspection of a used 340 should focus on several recurring concerns. The deck-stepped mast introduces compression loads into the cabin top, and delamination from water infiltration around the mast partner is a documented failure mode. Owners report that the electrical system is minimal — few breakers and a single 30-amp shore power inlet — and upgrading it is a standard early task for most buyers. The swim platform lockers are secured with rubber latches that are inadequate in rough conditions. Hull bottom gelcoat near the keel-to-hull joint sometimes shows fine line cracks attributed to fairing compound becoming brittle over time; if the keel bolts show weeping, a boatyard should re-torque them. The gray nonskid deck paint wears and peels prematurely and will likely need attention on any boat that has seen regular seasonal use. Some earlier examples were fitted with only one jib sheet winch on the starboard side, requiring it to be shared for both tacks — a significant limitation.

Refits and Upgrades

Owners who have lived with the 340 point to a consistent list of improvements. The most common structural upgrade is reinforcing or replacing the swim platform latches with proper marine hardware. Adding a bowsprit addresses the limited headsail area and opens the door to a larger asymmetric spinnaker, compensating for the swept-spreader limitation on downwind angles. Moving the jib sheet winches from the cabintop to cockpit coaming positions transforms the boat's singlehanding capability. Felt or foam lining around the engine access panels reduces the diesel rattle that transmits through the sole. Installing a sump pump to drain the enclosed shower overboard rather than into the bilge is another widely recommended detail. Skippers wanting more electrical capacity typically add a second 30-amp inlet or upgrade to a 50-amp service alongside a deeper battery bank.

The Verdict

The Hunter 340 is an honest and well-considered coastal cruiser that delivers generous interior volume, genuine sailing capability, and a set of innovative deck features at a price point that has always been one of its strongest arguments. Its B&R rig is clever engineering rather than a quirk, though it demands some adaptation from sailors accustomed to conventional fractional setups. The sail plan imbalance upwind, the awkward winch placement, and the thin electrical system are real limitations that a new owner should plan to address, but none of them are structural problems. What the 340 offers in return — a large cockpit, two private cabins, a proper galley, and a design that makes daysailing with a crowd genuinely pleasant — is difficult to match in its size range.

Pros