Hunter 326

Hunter 326

Development
Designer	Glenn Henderson
Location	United States
Year	2001
Builder(s)	Hunter Marine
Name	Hunter 326
Boat
Boat weight	8,300 lb (3,765 kg)
Draft	5.83 ft (1.78 m)
Hull
Type	Monohull
Construction	Fiberglass
LOA	31.92 ft (9.73 m)
LWL	28.33 ft (8.63 m)
Beam	10.83 ft (3.30 m)
Engine type	Yanmar 18 hp (13 kW) diesel engine
Hull appendages
Keel/board type	fin keel
Ballast	3,200 lb (1,451 kg)
Rudder(s)	internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Rig
Rig type	Bermuda rig
I foretriangle height	36.83 ft (11.23 m)
J foretriangle base	12.00 ft (3.66 m)
P mainsail luff	34.33 ft (10.46 m)
E mainsail foot	12.58 ft (3.83 m)
Sails
Sailplan	Fractional B&R rigged sloop
Mainsail area	215.94 sq ft (20.061 m2)
Jib/genoa area	220.98 sq ft (20.530 m2)
Total sail area	436.92 sq ft (40.591 m2)

The Hunter 326 is an American sailboat that was designed by Glenn Henderson for cruising and first built in 2001. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

The design forms a scaled series with the Hunter 306 and the 356. ^[3]

Production

The design was built by Hunter Marine in the United States starting in 2001, but it is now out of production. ^{[1] [4]}

Design

The Hunter 326 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass reinforced with kevlar. It has a fractional sloop B&R rig, a raked stem, an open walk-through reverse transom with integral swim ladder, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 8,300 lb (3,765 kg) and carries 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) of lead ballast. ^{[1] [3]}

The boat has a draft of 5.83 ft (1.78 m) with the standard keel and 4.33 ft (1.32 m) with the optional shoal draft keel. ^[1]

The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 2GMF diesel engine of 18 hp (13 kW). The fuel tank holds 28 U.S. gallons (110 L; 23 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal). ^[1]

Factory standard equipment included a roller furling 110% genoa and mast-furling mainsail, teak interior, a stainless steel arch which mounts the mainsheet traveler. ^[3]

The design has a hull speed of 7.13 kn (13.20 km/h). ^[5]

Operational history

Chicago Sailing is a commercial sailboat rental organization that rents Hunter 326s. They describe the design's strong points, "From day one, Hunter 326s have been the most popular boats in our fleet. Not only do they accommodate as many as eight adults in comfort and style, they are easy to sail and safe in all conditions...The Hunter 326 is a delight to sail in all conditions. With a furling jib and self-stacking mainsail, sail handling on the Hunter 326 is easy. All controls are just an arm’s length from the helm. That means you and your guests remain safe and comfortable at all times, never having to leave the cockpit except to sunbathe on the open deck." ^[6]

A Boating World review in 2001, when the design was introduced, described the series, "the new Hunter 326 represents the beginnings of a complete redesign of Hunter’s entire fleet." Of the interior the reviewer wrote, "The 326’s wide beam and 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom allow you to really stretch out. A pair of settees flanks a leafed tabletop with an impressive high-gloss finish. Hatches and portlights flood the area with natural light and ventilation. The forward berth, which can be closed off for privacy with a solid teak door, continues the decorating scheme ... It might be hard to believe that everything you’re seeing from the interior vantage point is part of a module that was completely assembled outside the hull. A few years ago, Luhrs began modularizing the cabins on its fishing boats. The move produced a significant cost savings that allowed the company to increase the number and level of accessories on the boats, while still maintaining an attractive price point. The modules are continuously tabbed and bonded to the hull for strength and rigidity along their length, width and height." The review concluded, "It’s an easy-to-handle vessel with cabin amenities and construction quality that are truly impressive." ^[7]

See also

• List of sailing boat types

Related development

• Hunter 306
• Hunter 356

Similar sailboats

• Aloha 32
• Bayfield 30/32
• Beneteau 323
• Beneteau Oceanis 321
• C&C 32
• C&C 99
• Catalina 320
• Columbia 32
• Contest 32 CS
• Douglas 32
• Hunter 32 Vision
• Mirage 32
• Nonsuch 324
• Ontario 32
• Ranger 32
• Watkins 32

References

1. Browning, Randy (2018). "Hunter 326 sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
2. McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Glenn Henderson". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
3. Hunter Marine (2001). "Hunter 306, 326, 356" (PDF). www.marlow-hunter.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
4. McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Hunter Marine". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
5. InterVisionSoft LLC (2018). "Sailboat Specifications for Hunter 326". Sailing Joy. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
6. Chicago Sailing. "Hunter 326". chicagosailing.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
7. Boating World Staff (1 August 2001). "Hunter 326". boatingworld.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2018.

External links

• Official brochure