Design and Construction
The Hunter 36-2 measures 35.5 feet overall, with a 31.25-foot waterline, a 12-foot beam, and a 6.42-foot draft with the fin keel.
Construction is predominantly fiberglass. In the Hunter practice of the period, the hull uses solid glass below the waterline and balsa-core sandwich construction above it. Kevlar reinforces the bow for impact resistance. The hull and deck meet at an outward-turned flange bedded in adhesive and bolted through its full perimeter.
The boat displaces 13,900 pounds and carries 5,023 pounds of lead ballast, giving it a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 36.14 percent. Together with a comfort ratio near 24, those figures mark the 36-2 as a moderate-volume coastal cruiser rather than a bluewater expedition boat. Its reverse transom and internally mounted spade rudder reflect a contemporary hull form designed around interior volume and sheltered steering.
Rig and Handling
The B&R rig carries a mast-furling mainsail. This arrangement gives up some of the adjustable sail shape available from a conventional hoist in exchange for convenient single-person, shorthanded sailing and stowage at the mast.
The fractional sloop sail plan provides 780 square feet of sail area. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 21.58 suggests willing acceleration in a breeze, while the calculated hull speed of 7.49 knots sets the upper bound under normal sailing power.
A fin keel and spade rudder provide predictable tracking and a sufficiently tight turning circle for marina work. However, the fixed mast furler means sail changes take place at the mast rather than on deck.
Accommodations and Cruising Capacity
Above the waterline, Hunter Marine’s construction choices favored roomy, balsa-cored topsides. This allowed the 36-2 to carry its 12-foot beam into a wide, open saloon and forward accommodation without the weight penalty of solid fiberglass.
The boat carries 75 gallons of water and 38 gallons of fuel, enough to support extended weekends or a coastal passage. Its reverse transom closes off the stern cleanly while enlarging the cockpit footprint, a layout priority consistent with the boat’s development from the Hunter 356.
The capsize screening value is 2.0. Along with the comfort ratio near 24, that places the 36-2 firmly in the protected-water cruising category rather than the offshore survival class.
The Verdict
The Hunter 36-2 is a practical, volume-minded coastal cruiser from Henderson’s later years at Hunter. Its mast-furling B&R rig makes it easy to sail alone, while the fiberglass hull, flange-jointed construction, and sensible ballast provide a sound foundation. The layout favors comfortable harbor-to-harbor living rather than heavy-weather passagemaking.
It is best viewed as an evolution of the Hunter 356 for sailors who value simple handling and interior space more than tunable performance or offshore pedigree.
Pros
- Mast-furling B&R rig simplifies shorthanded sailing
- Solid fiberglass below the waterline, with Kevlar reinforcement at the bow
- Through-bolted, outward-flange hull-to-deck joint
- Generous beam and tankage for coastal cruising
Cons
- Fixed mast furler limits sail-shape adjustment
- Capsize screening and comfort ratios are better suited to protected waters than offshore sailing
- No longer in production, ending factory availability from the original Hunter line
