hunter vision 32 sailboat

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Cruising Boat Spotlight: The Hunter Vision 32

By: Pat Reynolds Sailboat Rigs , Sailboats

One cool thing about sailing is the vast amount of boat designs we have to choose from. From wooden yawls to foiling catamarans, there is, no doubt, a boat out there to suit your fancy. But many tend to stick to the world of production boats, especially in the cruising world – they’re tried and tested, easy to get serviced and buy parts for, and they are generally reliable and well made. They are also normally designed relatively conservatively and broadly to attract a cross-section of buyers. So with that as our foundation we wanted to take a look at a production boat that was built in the late 80s and early 90s that bucked the trends and stepped outside the norm – the Hunter Vision 32 & 36.

The 32 and 36 are essentially the same boats with different lengths so we’ll just call both boats “the Vision.” There is really nothing particularly extraordinary about the Vision compared to most cruising boats of that time except that Hunter took a crack at making a boat with a free-standing mast – literally a giant aluminum pole set far-forward and keel-stepped.

No Spreaders, No Shrouds, No Backstay!

On the Hunter Vision, there is what looks like a street lamp pole holding an enormous mainsail in a quasi cat rigged set up. Not surprisingly, the configuration gets a hearty dose of contradicting reviews. Some believe that the weight and width of the freestanding mast make for poor sailing qualities, particularly upwind. Although most critics will concede that the boat does pretty well on a reach and downwind (due to the huge main’s ability to be set farther out than most boats can achieve) they will cite other qualities that indicate the boat is something of a dog. Many don’t like that there is nothing to hold onto when going forward and others flinch at the manageability (or lack thereof) of such a large main.

Of course later in the thread another sailor (a Hunter Vision owner) debunked most of the criticisms – such is the world of sailing discussions on the internet.

One thing that can’t be disputed is that Visions need no wires or turnbuckles and there is no corrosion or rig tension to worry about. It’s also said that these types of rigs allow spill-off aloft, which works well in heavier weather. Certainly the mast set so far forward creates a roomy saloon, which if you’re familiar with Hunter designs, might well have been the motivation for the attempt.

As it all turned out, the arguments over whether or not this alternative idea was worth doing got cut short, for Hunter discontinued the Vision after only about five years. Sales for the boat were not outstanding but it’s supposedly the cost of the masts that killed the production.

Visions still turn up regularly on the used market and are often priced quite affordably, probably due to the mixed reviews they receive and their somewhat misunderstood, non-traditional identity.

Hunter Vision 32 Photo Gallery

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Hunter 32 vision

The hunter 32 vision is a 32.0ft fractional sloop (free standing) built in fiberglass by hunter marine (usa) between 1988 and 1994..

The Hunter 32 vision is a moderate weight sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a short water supply range.

Hunter 32 vision for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Hunter Vision 32/36 offshore?

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I am investigating the potential purchase of the Hunter Vision 32 or 36. First attracted to the value (late models from 50-70K), and then due to the liveability of what appears to be a pretty innovative design. Next August my girlfriend and I will depart for extended cruising with offshore destinations in mind (ie, Pacific Northwest - Hawaii and beyond). I have some questions for those of you that may have some experience with the Hunter product: - Is the Hunter Vision suitable for offshore work? - Are there any specific safety ratings or standards that we can review to ensure that it is/is not? I am well aware that there are many other sv's out there that are virtually bomb proof, but we are not interested in refitting an old tub, and would just like to know if this boat which seems to meet the rest of our criteria (short of the lack of storage space) will take us across an ocean or two. Thoughts?  

This thread does not necessarily focus on bluewater capability but covers various points of view on Hunters in general: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/buying-boat/7558-got-religon-but-hunter.html  

One of the ratings system you may be looking for is the "CE" Certification, with 'A' being for Offshore capability, the highest for recreational boats. The Hunter 32 and 36 are 'A' rated, I believe, but as you research you will find that these are not the most capable offshore boats out there. I've sailed older hunters, with not much enthusiasm. Very livable, but not much else. Weekends on the lake -definitely, Hawaii and beyond - questionable. There are many other ratios such as displacement to length, length to beam and ballast ration that others on this site could certainly quickly quote, which will give you much more information as to your choice than a single rating. I'm sure there will be some Hunter afficionados here that will have done what you want to do, but that doesn't make it in your best interest to do so.Good Luck.  

newtoschool said: I am investigating the potential purchase of the Hunter Vision 32 or 36. First attracted to the value (late models from 50-70K), and then due to the liveability of what appears to be a pretty innovative design. I am well aware that there are many other sv's out there that are virtually bomb proof, but we are not interested in refitting an old tub, and would just like to know if this boat which seems to meet the rest of our criteria (short of the lack of storage space) will take us across an ocean or two. Thoughts? Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick replies! I've read that link, and every other scrap of information I could find. If there's one thing I have learned, it's that any defence I foolishly mounted on behalf of one of the 3 lines of production boats could easily be crushed by members of this board that have more knowledge in their pinky than I have been able to gather over months of visiting dock, brokers, marina bars etc. So I won't! That said, if there are those of you out there that have used one of these boats for a circumnav, or other offshore work of significance, I would love to hear from you! Sailing fool, if "relatively inexpensive dockiminiums" are on one side of the scale, then it would seem that "dark overpriced clausterphobic caves" are on the other... Is there a happy medium, production or other?? A bright comfortable boat that will cross oceans safely and not have me saving so long that I never leave my "condo"-minium (50G range). This is a tough scene to crack. I'm unwaveringly convinced that the payoff will be worth every second, but sadly I am no closer to matching the boat to our dream today than I was when we decided to sell up and get out there. ps - thanks for the cert info headingsouth, thats what I was after.  

the payoff will be worthit... that being said... you CAN drive across country in a fiat, but why would you? Its been said here(and on other forums) many times that the boats you have asked about are "capable....but....". The question remains however, do YOU want to try it?. take the opinions for what they'tre worth, judge for yourself, no one can make the final determination but you.  

Another reason those models are available at "bargain" prices could be that their "innovate" ideas simply didn't catch on in the marketplace. The massive freestanding mast alone will give some people pause as to its effect on the boat's motion and stability. Check into some bluewater forums, or talk to those who have been there done that, I reckon over 95% of successful offshore cruising boats are not unstayed rigs. (Tree trunk rigged Sprays and junks notwithstanding) One other thought: especially in a seaway, standing rigging provides some pretty handy grab spots and some security when moving around on deck. It's strange to me to walk on the deck of a boat with an unstayed rig and not have a shroud to grab onto along the way.  

newtoschool said: Thanks for the quick replies! ...... So I won't! That said, if there are those of you out there that have used one of these boats for a circumnav, or other offshore work of significance, I would love to hear from you! Sailing fool, if "relatively inexpensive dockiminiums" are on one side of the scale, then it would seem that "dark overpriced clausterphobic caves" are on the other... Is there a happy medium, production or other?? A bright comfortable boat that will cross oceans safely and not have me saving so long that I never leave my "condo"-minium (50G range). ..... Click to expand...

I Want to Buy a Flying Scot I am looking at a 1973 Flying Scot. The hull has been refinished last year. It looks great. Should I be concerned about buying such an old boat? How can I tell if there is water inside the hull? How can I tell if the hull is "soft". Any advice would be appreciated.  

Newtoschool... The boat is totally unsuited for serious bluewater cruising. If you want to do bay/coastal sailing...no problem but if you are looking for offshore adventure you need a different boat or you're looking for a different kind of adventure. Let me make a suggestion before you invest a lot of money. Buy an offshore passage or offer to crew with someone. See what it is like and then if you still want that Vision...you'll at least be making the decision with some real bluewater under your belt.  

Camaraderie and others are giving you sound advice. The Vision line is not suitable for bluewater sailing in my view. How sturdy are those large ports (imagine waves breaking over the bow), or the huge aluminum mast itself for that matter? Imagine being below in that boat with 15 feet seas and the boat lurching from side to side -- where are the handholds to protect yourself? That wide open cabin is an invitation to gashes and broken bones. Get some bluewater experience yourself first. People buy certain style boats for the open ocean for certain reasons that you may only understand after you've been there.One last note-- there used to be a Vision 32 in my marina back when I had a Pearson 27. I routinely sailed cirlces around the Vision with my 27 footer. At least that Vision was painfully slow.  

If you are serious about bluewater cruising you might think about a late 70s/early80s Tartan 37. This is a well-built and very popular boat that is much more suitable for bluewater and might be found in your pricerange.  

Thanks everyone for your replies. This is a great board, I really didnt expect so many responses being a new user. Will keep you posted on how the saga ends... and hopefully can count on some more good advice as we narrow in on "the" boat.  

I've sailed quite a bit over the years in benehuntalinas. I don't have any bluewater experience though, so take this with a grain of salt. There are a few models of the larger Catalina's (42 for example) that could be decent bluewater boats. Not the best, to be sure. From my experience with Hunters, I'd say no to any of them. I spent the summer living on a 31 in college and it was a nice light air boat and OK in stormy weather, but I wouldn't want to get caught offshore in 20'+ swells in that thing. The only Beneteau I've sailed was an "Oceanis" -- a nice boat, but was never out in any bad weather in it, so can't say if the model's name was appropriate. I currently own a Catalina 34. Not an ocean crosser, though with some upgrades it could certainly do it. I'd rate it higher than the Hunter, at least. If I ever get the bug though, I'll be buying a purpose built boat. I don't think upgrading a coastal cruiser for ocean crossings is worth the time and money. And with regards to the CE rating, I'd use that as a minimum. I wouldn't buy a coastal cruiser that wasn't rated "A". JMHO.  

Have found a well equiped Morgan 38 in my price range. The press on this boat has been much more favorable. Have any of you been aboard? Wondering about the standing headroom, and length of aft cabin. I'm 6'4 so dont expect to be able to stand up straight, but the more headroom the better!  

Headingsouth said: One of the ratings system you may be looking for is the "CE" Certification, with 'A' being for Offshore capability, the highest for recreational boats. The Hunter 32 and 36 are 'A' rated, I believe, but as you research you will find that these are not the most capable offshore boats out there. I've sailed older hunters, with not much enthusiasm. Very livable, but not much else. Weekends on the lake -definitely, Hawaii and beyond - questionable. There are many other ratios such as displacement to length, length to beam and ballast ration that others on this site could certainly quickly quote, which will give you much more information as to your choice than a single rating. I'm sure there will be some Hunter afficionados here that will have done what you want to do, but that doesn't make it in your best interest to do so.Good Luck. Click to expand...

Some very good input, thanks, my own thoughts, until now, have been that a good coastal boat is also a good blue water boat, wheras it seems that most think of coastal boats as sailers in sight of land boats. 'Dockaminiums' also works for many. I expect my 'wants' in a coastal are what others want in a blue water boat. But I am looking for boat to live aboard and can do an Atlantic crossing while spending most of its time coastal cruising. The listing thats posted as an example is great looking, the interior near perfect for my wants, unfortunately its about twice what I can spend. I have found a couple 70s era wooden boats that look good, need to go see them and maybe do a survey. Also found a Morgan 38 that looks possible. Its all a learning curve, on the left side right now.  

Jake- There are usually huge construction and design differences in boats that are coastal cruisers and those that are bluewater cruisers. For instance: Coastal cruisers will have: Lower tankage requirements, as usually can fill water, diesel, etc fairly frequently. Cabin is more open, often with larger saloon and berths, as is the cockpit. This is often good for entertaining, but not so good in heavy seas on an open water passage. Boat is a bit wider in beam than a bluewater boat of same LOA. Rigging is often a bit lighter in weight, as are the sails Finding a boat that is both capable of bluewater passages and make a good liveaboard and coastal cruiser is often a huge compromise. Most liveaboards want to have a larger, more open floor plan on their boat, which is often found on coastal cruising boats, but not on bluewater passagemakers. Also, many bluewater boats do not sail as well in light winds as their coastal cruising counterparts, as they are heavier in displacement. If I were you, I would look for a good coastal cruising boat, that has the ability to make limited offshore passages, as the bulk of the requirements and time you really want a coastal cruiser type boat, and not a bluewater boat. Just my $.02, which may or may not apply to you. YMMV.  

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Hunter 32 Vision

Hunter 32 Vision is a 31 ′ 11 ″ / 9.8 m monohull sailboat built by Hunter Marine between 1988 and 1994.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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Why buy a Vision 32

• Thread starter Scott Weiser
• Start date Nov 23, 2004
• Hunter Owner Forums
• Mid-Size Boats

Scott Weiser

I have a Hunter 23.5 and am interested in moving to a 30 plus foot Hunter. I have become interested in the Vision 32. What is so different about it that it has a name rather than just a number?Reviewers seem to really like the room inside. What is the best feature of this boat?Is the boom placed so that it is high enough not to bother passengers in the cockpit?What is the worst feature of this boat?Any Vision 32 owners out there?  

Need bug winds Scott,I own a Hunter 28.5, which is a great bay boat that my wife and I love to sail. It does very well with the lower wind speeds that you'll find on the bay especially in the summer. The reason I mention this is because we'd like to move up to a large boat someday and I've looked at the Vision-32 and at first was very impressed. But I noticed that foot for foot used Visions were priced much lower than other comparable 32-foot boats. I think this is because the Vision-32 is slow with winds below 10k. From what I've read, above that and around 15 to 20k it sails great. At that point I'd be well into my first reefing point!So I'd say that if the winds in your area stay, on the average, below 10 or 12k then I'd stay away from the Vision-32. At least that's how I see it and why I probably won't be looking at a Vision when we decide to move up, which won't be for a while since we're having such a good time with our 285.  

Need big winds Scott,I own a Hunter 28.5, which is a great bay boat that my wife and I love to sail. It does very well with the lower wind speeds that you'll find on the bay especially in the summer. The reason I mention this is because we'd like to move up to a large boat someday and I've looked at the Vision-32 and at first was very impressed. But I noticed that foot for foot used Visions were priced much lower than other comparable 32-foot boats. I think this is because the Vision-32 is slow with winds below 10k. From what I've read, above that and around 15 to 20k it sails great. At that point I'd be well into my first reefing point!So I'd say that if the winds in your area stay, on the average, below 10 or 12k then I'd stay away from the Vision-32. At least that's how I see it and why I probably won't be looking at a Vision when we decide to move up, which won't be for a while since we're having such a good time with our 285.  

Visions The Hunter Vision 32 and 36 were somewhat experimental in that they were a departure from the "traditional" sloop rig. The large diameter unstayed mast design was simialr to the Freedom concept except that the Vision only came with an aluminum spar, whereas the Freedom had a carbon-fiber spar option. In both cases, I believe that light air speed was sacrificed for ease of handling and comfortable cruising. I was told that the Vision was discontinued because of the high cost of the spar. I also have my doubts that if the spar sustained damage that one could find a new replacement. So I think that the lower asking prices for the V reflects these issues.  

Thanks for the heads up. What model do you recommend in that size range.  

Thanks What model do you recommend in that size range?  

We have a new (to us) Vision32 We just moved up from a Watkins 27 (that was destroyed in hurricane Charlie) to a Vision 32 this month. There is NO better boat for the money. Try to find a newer 32 footer for $35,000. On the West Coast, they command about $10-15,000 more than on the East Coast. For room, amenities, speed, and almost everything, this boat is the hot ticket. It has a huge head/shower, large salon with great lighting, a TON of storage space, corian counter-tops, accessible Yanmar 3GM30F engine, etc. The downside(s) are very minor, they usually have an alcohol stove, but that isn't really a bad thing. The V-berth is a crawl-in, but the aft berth is HUGE. The holding tank is small, aluminum, and, usually leaks by now and has to be replaced somehow. It sails differently, more like a Cat-Boat, i.e. Nonsuch30. You don't sail uner the (small) jib alone. You use the jib when sailing in lighter air, and pointing up. The boat points very well, actually faster than on a reach. The boat is fast downwind. You have to adjust your sail-trim theories with this boat, by trial and error I guess. You don't have to reef until you're up to 25kts, and most people I've talked to don't even reef then. Once the wind is over 12-15kts, the boat really flies. We're just getting used to ours, but, I love it. I just stand out on our dock and LOOK at it. It's a beautiful boat.  

Thanks for the Vision info Others are warning me about light winds and a subpar mast. Any indications of trouble on these items?  

Analyzing the numbers The Vision 32 has these performance numbers:d/l My calculation is 259 versus 290 on the site. This is medium-high for a cruising boat, and implies slower acceleration, somewhat slower at low speeds, and good comfort.sa/d is 17.9, good for a cruising boat, implying good acceleration (versus the d/l) and good speed.capsize screen is 2.02 - just over 2 means that this is a marginal blue water boat.comfort factor of 24.4 means that this boat rides like a modern 36 to 40 footer.The unstayed mast means that you can ease the boom to 90 degrees, making for excellent sailing dead down wind. In gusts, the top of the mast will bend to leeward, dumping excess wind to reduce heel, and unload the mast.The owner reviews disagree on performance in low winds, with an edge to those who say it is somewhat slow below 8-10 knots. All agree that it is great above 10. If I owned one, I would certainly buy a cruising spinnaker, which would add enough sail area to make her move very well in low winds. None of the reviews mention problems sailing close hauled into the wind.So the picture is of a cruising boat with excellent comfort, and good sailing characteristics, especially above 10 knots. Since unstayed masts are still sold, I don't see why you would have a problem replacing one. But there are _no_ reports of mast issues with the Vision, Freedom, or Nonesuch models that use unstayed masts, and I would rate the design as more reliable than a stayed mast which cannot flex to shed load, and has 10 to 20 catastrophic failure points.I think the price is low because they are different. To me, that just means more boat for the money.DavidLady Lillie  

Had One For Nine Years Great boat... one of the very best I had. Took first in class in an overnight race. Last year, the boat took a 5th out of 40+ boats (as I recall) in another overnight race. They don't like light wind too much, but will move, just not as fast. But 10+, and they love it. New sails and a larger jib are the ticket to greater performance. A spinnaker will add performance, but with the huge main, not a necessity. Rick D.  

The mast......... .....is anything BUT sub-par. Probably the strongest mast you can get. The Vision32 and Vision36 were built as Hunter's "Vision" of the boating future. But, people were (are) slow to accept chages, even really good ones. Look at how long it took for Catamarans to gain acceptance.  

Other Hunters in range Just a thought - If you are worried about light air performance, maybe you should check out the Hunter 34. We just got one about a month ago (a 1987 model) and love it - and she hauls butt in light wind (somewhat tender in more wind until you reef). It is in the same price range and even less than the Vision 32 though just slightly older? But she is bigger and I like the interior layout of the Hunter 34 more. You can have 3 separate rooms for people to sleep in without needing to climb over anything. Most people seem to be pretty satisfied with the Hunter 34 from reading around as well...  

Thank you for the information You gave me great info. I am primarily concerned with comfort and not speed. I really liked the layout and the absence of stays. Would I be able to add a refreigerator unit to this boat?  

Thank you for the info I will follow up and look at the 34. Any concerns about the age of the boat?  

From a Vision 32 Owner... These are truly great boats. We've had ours now for over 3 years and couldn't be happier with it. In terms of roominess it is actually comparable with the 35.5s. The V-berth is different in that you do have to climb into it, but I don't use it so who cares? On the other hand, the aft berth is large and extremely comfortable. The spar is extremely tough and we've had no problems with anything on this boat even in the high winds of the Strait of Juan De Fuca between WA and Canada. No need to tune rigging, worry about chainplates or other rigging related deck fittings, or other traditional rig concerns for that matter. Sailing it is quite simple. There is a slight adjustment period in getting used to focusing on the main more (at least for me), but that's trivial in the grand scheme of things. Once you're used to it, it's not something you think twice about. As for refrigeration, yes you can add refrigeration, as we have it on ours. For comparison, my in-laws have an older hunter34 and I think that the sleeping accomodations are far superior to those of the hunter34s. We haven't been head to head yet (we just moved back to the east coast this summer), but I would venture to guess he will probably woop me in real light air. However, once it's up around 8 knots or greater, it's on. We were just reviewing the basic sail area of my sail plan vs. his and they are close, although I still have more. ;-) In fact, with the main and the spinnaker, we have nearly 1000 square feet...so my dad-in-law doesn't stand a chance on downwind runs out to Ocracoke next season... ;-) Otherwise, I like the old hunter34s as well and I was originally dead set on buying one. However, when we looked at the Vision32, we were sold on how comfortable it was, how much newer things were, how easily and well it sailed, that it was a no-brainer for us. Quite frankly, we like having some of the features of newer boats. It is interesting to compare how Hunter handled things differently during the span of several years. Ours certainly benefits from Hunter's key learnings during the 80's after having built boats like the hunter34. Good luck. The Vision32 is a great boat that was ahead of its time. To bolster this assertion, if you research some of more innovative designs out there now, including those on the around-alone boats, you'll see more and more free-standing rigs. The *typical* criticism against them are usually based entirely on the baseless opinions of those that either a) have never sail one or b) don't understand the engineering involved in a free standing rig or c) just like to see all the wires holding everything up... Personally, I was skeptical and fell into the a and c categories...that is until I bought one. ;-)matt  

Vision 36 Owner We have owned our Vision 36 for over 3 years and other than the high mast, we absolutely love it. Yes, she is a "little" slow in light winds, but what's the hurry? If I wanted to get someplace fast, i wouldn't be using a sailboat anyway. On the other hand, once we hit 10 knots and above, the fun is on. We keep forgetting to reef till we are well over 25 knots because of the fun.Like all Hunters of that age, we have had to replace the holding tank, but most other problems were minor or came from having that tall stick - something about having the tallest stick amongst your fellow docking buddies in the middle of the lightening capital created havoc with our electronics - but, the positive side is we now have a brand new Raytheon C120 chart and system ;~)Enjoy,Brad  

Thanks for the info I really appreciate your insight. Did get some negatives but more positive news as well. How did you buy yours?  

An experiment (gone bad)? Think about it. If the experiment was successful they would still make them, right? I sailed my h34 where some of them are located and they don't preform as well as similiar sized vessels at any point of sail especially up wind. Confirm this by comparing handicap ratings.They have a lot of room and can be obtained for a reasonable price. That may be an indication of low demand for vessels like them  

Now it's time to try them, Scott You have about the best we can offer as a group. Now go find examples of the boats that interest _you_ (not any one of us) and give them a try. Kick the tires. Sail them. Lie down in all the bunks. See which one you like. Then make an offer on that one, including the usual escape clause for a rigorous survey.From comments and pictures, the boom of the vision is clearly out of the way of the cockpit. Commercially, the Visions were an experiment, and they were discontinued. But the technology was not experimental - Freedom and Nonesuchproved that well before the Vision. And owners clearly like them, so they are a success for sailors looking for cruising comfort, flexilibity, and a good turn of speed over 10 knots.Another question for you to answer is where will you sail the boat, and how much cruising, day-sailing, or racing will you do? Racing (and racing ratings) are about sailing directly into the wind, often in light air. If that's what you want to do, then the h34 with a big genny is a great boat. But cruising is seldom about sailing close hauled (5 to 15% of our 40 days per summer involve a close hauled cruising leg.) And a big genny is a lousy sail off the wind. The Vision 32 will give you great performance and comfort while cruising in all kinds of weather.Again, get to know the boats, and make your choice based on what you like. You won't regret it!David Lady Lillie  

Sciott Weiser

Really appreciate all the help Hard to see lots of them in Des Moines. Will look to the Great Lake harbors. Thansk again.  

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• Hunter Vision 32

'Windancer V' , a Hunter Vision 32 Sailboat for Sale

SORRY, NOW SOLD!

For more boats like this one that are currently for sale please go to

Cruising Sailboats for Sale...

Although this boat is no longer available, the pics and text are retained here for the benefit of anyone researching this particular make/model of sailboat.

Asking Price and previous owner's contact details have been deleted.

The Hunter Vision 32 is a fractionally rigger sloop with a free-standing mast - perfect for the singlehanded sailor or the cruising couple ready for adventures!

All halyards, sheets and reefs are controlled from the cockpit and can be handled solo. Boasting more salon room than many larger boats, the Hunter Vision 32 provides ample living and storage space.

'Windancer V' is easy to maneuver, amply outfitted and ready to travel. Solar panels boast an even smaller footprint and affordability! 

With a solid fiberglass hull and a winged keel with a draft of 4’3”, 'Windancer V' is the perfect sailboat for coastal cruising. 

She's currently located in Palmetto, Florida, USA.

Installed Equipment:

• Yanmar 3GM30F (842 hours); 
• Origo alcohol stove top and oven; 
• Nature’s Head composting head with spare substrate; 
• B&G chartplotter/transducer (at helm); 
• Garmin chartplotter (at chart table); 
• B&G VHF with AIS receiver; 
• Raytheon wind and depth instruments; 
• 33# Rocna primary anchor with 125’ of 5/16” chain; 
• 22# lunch hook with 100’ of rode; 
• 11# Fortress stern anchor; 
• Honda 2200 portable generator; 
• Lifesling; 
• Promariner Pro Sport 2-bank charger; 
• L.E.D lights throughout; many spare parts (alternator, galvanic isolator, belts, hoses, transom shower, sailing shackles, blocks, lines, etc).

Recent Upgrades & Improvements:

• 500w solar array 2018;
• Kidd 30a MPPT solar controller 2018;
• New sails 2019 (installed 2020);
• Bimini 2019;
• Stack pack 2019 (install 2020);
• Dometic 16k BTU HVAC 2020;
• Custom rotating davits 2020;
• 1000 MCA starter battery 2020;
• Bottom job July 2021;
• Cutlass bearing 2021;
• PSST shaft seal 2021;
• Shaft and coupler 2021;
• 4 6v 225ah house batteries 2021;
• Thru-hulls;
• Magma Cabo grill 2021;
• Aft cabin mattress & topper 2021;
• Quadrant 2022;
• Freshwater pump 2022;
• Hot water heater 2022;
• Hull/deck wax & polish 2022;
• V-berth locker hatches 2022;
• Binnacle 2022;
• Compass (lighted) 2022.

What's not included:

• Dinghy and outboard motor;
• Owner’s personal effects and tools.

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