hunter 18.5 sailboat interior

Small Craft Advisor

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The buxom little 18.5 was produced from 1987 to 1993 (a quite different water-ballasted Hunter 19 superseded the 18.5 and was built from 1993 to 1996).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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HUNTER 18.5 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of HUNTER 18.5. Built by Hunter Marine (USA) and designed by undefined, the boat was first built in 1987. It has a hull type of Wing Keel and LOA is 5.61. Its sail area/displacement ratio 20.63. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

HUNTER 18.5 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about HUNTER 18.5 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, contributions, who builds hunter 18.5.

HUNTER 18.5 is built by Hunter Marine (USA).

When was HUNTER 18.5 first built?

HUNTER 18.5 was first built in 1987.

How long is HUNTER 18.5?

HUNTER 18.5 is 4.72 m in length.

What is mast height on HUNTER 18.5?

HUNTER 18.5 has a mast height of 6.4 m.

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• Sailboat Guide

1990 Hunter 18.5

• Description

Seller's Description

This Hunter 185 is in excellent condition (under cover for 25 years) and must be seen. The interior and exterior surfaces are like new, and the boat has everything youd want in a small trailerable vessel. All lines lead to the cockpit for easy single-handling, equipped with an auto-helm autopilot and roller furling.

The Hunter 18.5 is a great boat for day sailing and is suitable for overnight: her cabin offers a V-berth that sleeps 2, a quarter berth that sleeps 1, a porta-potie, 2 side windows, built in coleman cooler, and a portable cook top. Outside her cockpit it seats 4 adults and features a large storage lazerette, a fiberglass motor mount and new tiller steering.

Equipment: Her auxiliary power is a newer Tohatsu 5HP, 4 cycle gas outboard motor, and a 3 gal. fuel tank with very few hours.

It features a shoal draft with 2-foot wing keel: dock lines, and fenders, life vests and tools included.If trailed, the Hunter 185 can be launched in shallow ramps; includes newer tires, main sail with cover, roller furling jib, new 12w battery, bilge pump, stainless steel bow pulpit, life lines, anchor with rode, depth finder, and VHF radio. Trailer is included

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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• Hunter Marine

Hunter 18.5

Hunter 18.5 - Hunter Marine / STW002395

cabin cruiser

overall length

hull length

waterline length

standard draft

minimum draft

displacement

diesel tank

mast height

Accomodation layouts

standard version

If you find some wrong or lacking data of this boat, you can propose an update.

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Frequently asked questions

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Guaranteed to fit, popular searches, most recent parts, why don't you know exactly what's on my boat.

The reasons are numerous: Part substitutions caused by supply shortages, the factory making a better deal with a different supplier, undocumented design changes, modifications made by a prior owner or a dealer, or special customization ordered by the original owner.

In the case of mass produced items, some manufacturers are no longer in business or the part has been discontinued. In other cases, parts were made by small fabricators who specialize in OEM contracts. They are not equipped to handle -- or interested in selling -- one or two parts at a time.

We will do our best to find a substitute, or if necessary, a fabricator to make the item. We will need measurements, photos, and possibly the old part. We appreciate your patience and cooperation in this process.

While some parts are in stock and ship the next business day, others require special order or even fabrication. We will let you know if you part will take longer than two weeks from order to your door.

Hunter probably sold you the part from their stock, which is purchased in large quantities at deep discounts. We check to see if Hunter has the part available, but most often it must be special ordered from the manufacturer. Different pricing applies.

Yes! We add more parts every day as we discover sources and applications. Boats built before 2000 will be slower to source. If you can help with sources or part numbers please let us know!

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Hunter 18.5 trailer modifications

• Thread starter lbsailor
• Start date Feb 11, 2017
• Tags 18.5 trailer
• Hunter Owner Forums
• Smaller Boats

We have a hunter 18.5 trailer that needs some work done to it. Since we are having to bring it in we are wanting to get some modifications done to make launching/retrieving easier since we've heard that's a good idea. I'm looking for suggestions on what specifically we should have done.  

One thought would be to ask the folks who told you it would be a good idea. And tell us what issues you are having. Wait. That's two thoughts.  

I agree with Kermit on this one, until you actually try to launch your boat you have no idea what problems you are trying to fix. That said, the 18.5 is a neat boat and unless someone has screwed with the trailer or changed trailers it is a easy boat to launch, unless your ramp is extremely shallow or there is no water. In my opinions sailboats are a bit more difficult to launch that say a john boat or a bass boat, but your 18.5 should be about as easy as they come assuming the ramp is not too flat and you have water.  

justsomeguy

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/hunter-18-5-trailer-modification-help.156167/ This older thread may help to describe @lbsailor trailer problems?  

Crazy Dave Condon

photo please of the boat and trailer with one sideways and from the rear to refresh my memory. Then send me a private message when you have posted them here later this week. I am sick.  

You ok Dave? Hopefully it's not the flu as its been a rough one this year. Sam  

Virus but was restoring an indoor pool for a good friend of mine at a time when I was fiberglassing, applying gel coat, laying 2000E interprotect and so forth as the fumes did not help the old throat or gizzard of mine. Bout finished but taking the week off for sure to get back to my old snarly self. Thanks for your concern.  

Kermit said: One thought would be to ask the folks who told you it would be a good idea. And tell us what issues you are having. Wait. That's two thoughts.[/ QUOTE] Delete the period after "idea". Click to expand

You need to take better care of yourself Dave. We would be screwed without you. Sam  

@IBsailor I got the first load of the 18.5 when it came out. the general complaint I had was of course the wing keels hanging up I think on the keel guides. Please send me a photo of your trailer specifically with boat on trailer from the side (rear) and the back so I can refresh my memory and comment. Thank you. Flynhi4u, roger that and taking the full week off before finishing pool. Like working on a sailboat hull again.  

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