Design and Construction
The Hunter 36-2 is built predominantly of fiberglass, with solid glass below the waterline and balsa-core sandwich construction above it in the Hunter manner of the era, the bow reinforced with Kevlar for impact resistance and the hull joined to the deck on an outward-turned flange bedded in adhesive and bolted through its full perimeter. With 5,023 pounds of lead ballast against 13,900 pounds of displacement, the 36.14 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio and a comfort ratio near 24 mark her as a moderate-volume coastal cruiser rather than a bluewater expeditioner. The reverse transom and internally mounted spade rudder speak to a contemporary hull form tuned for interior volume and sheltered steering.
Rig and Handling
Her B&R rig carries a mast-furling mainsail, a configuration that trades the adjustable shape of a conventional hoist for the convenience of single-person shorthanded sailing and stowage at the mast. The fractional sloop plane with 780 square feet of sail area drives a hull whose 21.58 sail-area-to-displacement ratio suggests willing acceleration in a breeze, while the 7.49-knot hull speed sets the upper bound under normal power. The spade rudder and fin keel give predictable tracking and a tight enough turn for marina work, though the rig's fixed mast furler means sail changes happen at the mast rather than on the deck.
Accommodations
Hunter Marine's construction choices above the waterline favored the roomy balsa-cored topsides that let the 36-2 carry a 12-foot beam into a wide, open saloon and forward accommodation without the weight penalty of solid glass. The 75-gallon water and 38-gallon fuel capacity support extended weekends or a coastal passage, and the 2.0 capsize screening value places her firmly in the protected-water cruising category rather than the offshore survival class. The reverse transom closes the stern cleanly and enlarges the cockpit footprint, a layout priority consistent with the boat's development from the Hunter 356.
The Verdict
The Hunter 36-2 is a practical, volume-minded coastal cruiser from Henderson's late Hunter years: easy to sail alone via the mast-furling B&R rig, built on a sound flange-jointed fiberglass hull with sensible ballast, and laid out for comfortable harbor-to-harbor living rather than heavy-weather passage making. She is best judged as a developed evolution of the 356 for sailors who value simplicity of handling and interior space over tuneable performance or offshore pedigree.
Pros
- Mast-furling B&R rig simplifies shorthanded sailing
- Solid fiberglass below waterline with Kevlar bow reinforcement
- 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 suit protected waters, not offshore
- Out of production, ending factory availability of the original Hunter line
