Back to Search
Hunter 356
Designer: Hunter Design Team  ·  Builder: Hunter Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 2001
+ Add to Compare
About the Hunter 356

Hunter Marine's 356 represents the builder's continued evolution in the mid-sized cruising sailboat market, designed to balance comfort with sailing performance for coastal and near-offshore adventures. This model carries forward Hunter's reputation for creating accessible boats that appeal to both weekend sailors and those seeking extended cruising capabilities. The 356 features Hunter's characteristic approach to interior volume maximization, offering generous living spaces that belie her modest size. Her design emphasizes ease of handling, with a deck layout and sail plan configured for short-handed sailing. The cockpit provides comfortable seating for entertaining while maintaining good sightlines for navigation. Like other Hunter models from this era, the 356 incorporates the builder's focus on value-oriented cruising, making her an attractive option for sailors seeking solid construction without premium pricing. Her moderate displacement and sail area create a balanced sailing character suitable for weekend getaways and extended coastal cruising. The 356 appeals particularly to sailors transitioning from smaller boats or those seeking a comfortable platform for exploring protected waters and occasional offshore passages, embodying Hunter's philosophy of making sailing accessible to a broad range of enthusiasts.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.58 ft / 10.85 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.25 ft / 9.22 m
Beam 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 5.67 ft / 1.73 m
Displacement 13,500 lb / 6,124 kg
Ballast 5,400 lb / 2,449 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 600 ft² / 55.74 m²
Headroom 6.42 ft / 1.96 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hunter Design Team
Builder Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built 2001
Last Built 2007
Number Built 250
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
138
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.9
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
40.0
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
217.73
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 7.78 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 20.03
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.16 ft / 4.01 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 721.00 ft² / 66.98 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 27
Fuel Capacity 38 gals / 144 L
Water Capacity 75 gals / 284 L
Find a Hunter 356 For Sale