2004 Hunter Hunter 356 Sloop

Step aboard and you’ll notice how easy this 356 is to actually live with. The cockpit is deep and secure, with coamings high enough to lean against on a long watch and a helm layout that keeps sheets and lines clear of guests. Wide side decks and well-placed handholds make moving forward at sea reassuring, not acrobatic. Down below, the joinery still gleams, and the wraparound saloon seating invites real lingering over charts or dinner. Storage is generous in both cabins and galley, so provisioning for a long coastal hop doesn’t mean cramming lockers to bursting. Under sail, the balanced rig and forgiving hull shape make short-handed tacking and reefing straightforward, even when the breeze pipes up.

For this coastline, the Hunter 356 hits a sweet spot between comfort and capability. The moderate draft lets you tuck into snug coves and quieter anchorages, while the roomy cockpit and bright interior make those inevitable weather days at anchor far more pleasant. The rig is easily managed by a couple, ideal for longer passages along a rugged shore with frequent course changes and varied wind angles. Ventilation and insulation in the cabins help take the edge off cool, damp nights, yet there’s ample opening ports and hatches for warmer southern legs. With its blend of volume, stability, and predictable handling, it’s well suited to both weekend gunkholing and ambitious coastal cruising.