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Hunter 18.5
Simple, fun and forgiving—perfect for the sailing family.
We’re all romantics. Some of us have it worse than others, of course—those with the proverbial wandering eye—and our backyards are a visual testament to both our passion and our lack of impulse control. We’ve got a small marina’s worth of vessels in various states of repair—the sprit-rigged dinghy, the leaky catboat, and the sweet little double-ender that just needs some cosmetic work—in truth we own more boats than we could restore in three lifetimes. Despite what we tell ourselves (and our spouses), not all boat purchases are especially rational decisions.
But the same thing that seems to draw us to certain boats blinds us to others that might, arguably, be a better fit. Some of the more common production fiberglass trailersailers are good examples. Staring at them probably won’t make your heart sing— no portlights, no sweeping sheer line, and not much wood—just angular windows, predictable lines, and lots of white fiberglass. But over the years we’ve found that many of these popular factory boats—which typically aren’t great in any one category but are pretty good in most—deserve more consideration. The Hunter 18.5 is one we felt warranted a closer look.
The buxom little 18.5 was produced from 1987 to 1993 (a quite different water-ballasted Hunter 19 superseded the 18.5 and was built from 1993 to 1996). The 18.5 featured a modern-looking cockpit and a cabin with as many as four berths. The sliding cabin hatch could be slid forward and hinged up, potentially offering something akin to standing headroom below, and the optional “Weekender Package” included a galley with ice chest, stove, and bucket sink. There was also a portable head located beneath the aft end of the V-berth—everything a small family might need for cruising.
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Advice on Hunter 18.5
- Thread starter Mark Rountree
- Start date Jan 27, 2001
- Hunter Owner Forums
- Smaller Boats
Mark Rountree
I am interested in looking at/purchasing a 1988 Hunter 18.5 with a wing keel and trailer. Can anyone give me what to look for in this boat? Was the boat solid and dependable? Was the boat easy to trailer launch? I will be sailing mostly on a small lake near my home and this will be my first sailboat in some time - is it a good starter boat? Any other information that anyone could give would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your advice.
Crazy Dave Condon
Trailer suggestions The boat was solid but remember the bigger the boat, the more stable it is as a rule fo thumb. The trailer needed to be upgraded. First, add a longer extension bar. Remove the keel guide and put abetter one on. The wings use to get caught on the original. Check the fenders as they could come loose. Crazy Dave condon
Hunter 18.5 I've had an '88 H18.5 for about three years now, and I like it. I feel that it has been a good starter boat. I think that if I was to do it over again I would buy a slightly bigger boat, as the small cabin doesn't allow a lot of the things I'd like to do. My biggest difficulty with the boat, though, is not the sailing, that is fine, it is that I do not like the trailering aspect of it. While the fixed keel does have advantages, I do think that the fixed keel means that it is going to be harder to put into and out of the water -- the ramp has to be that much steeper. I would heed Dave's advice above, he gave me the same advice and I have installed heavy wooden guides that guide the keel into the housing. That has made it much easier to get the boat on and off the trailer. I feel that the boat sits high on the trailer and do not feel comfortable stepping the mast, though as I've become more familiar with it I find it easier each time I do it. You will need at least one other, and probably a couple of other, friends to help you step the mast each time, it is not a one man job. I keep my boat on Lake Erie, and it sails fine there, though the lake can be very rough at times. I did miss many days of sailing last summer because the lake was too rough. I will be keeping it on Sandusky Bay this summer, and hope to do some racing with it. The bay will offer more shelter and I should be able to sail her much more often. If you have further questions, please email me at [email protected] or give me a phone call at 330 847-0975, and I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have about the boat.
Do not go up ;the mast in a boson's chair One other thing I would like to mention. I use to a farmer who made moonshine behind my dealership. Every Saturday night, guess where I was. Sippin good old peach brandy. Anyway, to avoid dropping the mast, I went up the mast in a boson's chair to change the wind vane as I wanted to go sippin suds. Well, my buzzel butt was too heavy and the mast broke. Customer had dinged his mast badly previous and was curious as to why he had a noticable new mast. Crazy Dave Condon
Jack Everitt
18.5 MY first boat was a 18.5. We found out quickly that the cabin was too small by the time we loaded everything for an overnight stay. Secondly, in very very light air you do need to have forward motion ( water moving over the fixed keel) to maintain steerage. Since we were inexperienced we had some anxious moments as the boat slipped sideways without any rudder control. If you can afford a larger boat, I would recommend starting with a 23.5. you will be happier in the long run.
18.5 I HAVE BEEN SAILING AN 18.5 FOR 11 YEARS NOW. THIS IS BOAT NUMBER 7 FOR ME INC A BAYFIELD 25.WHICH I LIVED ABOARD WHEN I WAS IN MY "EARLY" 20S IT"S BEEN A GREAT BOAT. EASY TO LAUNCH AND SAIL SINGLEHANDED. MY BEST ADVISE WOULD BE TO BUY THE BOAT THAT MATCHES THE WAY YOU SAIL. DONT BUY BLUEWATER CRUSER TO DAY SAIL. SOME TIPS ON SAILING THE 18.5. WHEN RAISING THE MAST RUN THE JIB HALYARD TO FORWARD CLEAT, WHEN MAST IS UP TIGHTEN JIB HALYARD THEN GO FORWARD TO ATTACH FORESTAY. ONE MAN JOB "5'7 150". ALSO INSTALL LONGER TOUNGE ON TRAILER FOR SHALLOW LAUNCHES. WE SAIL MS GULF COAST. TAKE MOSTLY DAY TRIPS TO SHIP AND CAT ISLAND "8-12 MILES OFFSHORE. SAILED FROM SHIP ISLAND TO LONG BEACH HARBOR ONE TIME ON A REACH IN 25 KNOT WIND ON A REACH. BOAT HANDLED VERY WELL UNDER REEFED MAIN. COVERED 14 MILES IN ABOUT 2HR.
Thank you Thank you for the advice.
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