Ahoy 450 Passage owners! I have been looking at sailboats for a couple of years now. I'm a big guy and this is one of the few vessels I can walk through comfortably without ducking or turning sideways. I do have some concerns however,regarding a few things I've read about refrigeration problems and leaking deck fittings, portholes, hatches, etc. Also,no salesman so far has been able to satisfy my question about what is below the waterline on a Hunter 450 Passage. I'd like to know as much as I can about the hull construction as to it's thickness and layers of material. The company has sent me some information regarding "minumum standards" but it doesn't tell me how thick is the hull below the waterline, of how many layers of material is it constructed, and does it have a core or is it solid one-piece construction. I know there are many other important questions to ask when considering the purchase of a sailboat. But these are the ones that have remained unanswered.
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Satisfy Yourself
Doug, I strongly suggest you do what I did before I bought my 380 - I called the factory and spoke with them about the matters I wanted answers to. Do not rely on the sales rep - his only interest is generally to sell you a boat. I had 4 sales reps tell me my boat came equipped with refrigeration, while the factory was insisting it was an option. Caviat Emptor!
Doug, I strongly suggest you do what I did before I bought my 380 - I called the factory and spoke with them about the matters I wanted answers to. Do not rely on the sales rep - his only interest is generally to sell you a boat. I had 4 sales reps tell me my boat came equipped with refrigeration, while the factory was insisting it was an option. Caviat Emptor!
Better yet
Doug, funds permitting, go visit the factory and take a tour, everyone that I have talked to has been more than impressed with the time and information freely given to the visitors. Next time I am in Florida, I plan on making the trip. Regards. Bruce. Neon Moon
Doug, funds permitting, go visit the factory and take a tour, everyone that I have talked to has been more than impressed with the time and information freely given to the visitors. Next time I am in Florida, I plan on making the trip. Regards. Bruce. Neon Moon
factory tour
I agree with the post about visiting the factory, which is what we did before selecting our H430. Learned more in a couple of hours than in reading for months. Only problem is that we didn't know some of the questions to ask. It's fascinating to watch the hull being laid up in the mold, being taken out of the mold, and all the other neat things. You can see how thick the hull is in various places as they drill the holes for the thruhulls, etc. Worth the time and effort and better than DisneyWorld!
I agree with the post about visiting the factory, which is what we did before selecting our H430. Learned more in a couple of hours than in reading for months. Only problem is that we didn't know some of the questions to ask. It's fascinating to watch the hull being laid up in the mold, being taken out of the mold, and all the other neat things. You can see how thick the hull is in various places as they drill the holes for the thruhulls, etc. Worth the time and effort and better than DisneyWorld!
All of the below
yes, a phone call or trip to the factory will help you get your questions answered RE: hull construction. My understanding is that the hull is solid below the waterline, and cored above. The refer was an issue on the first year's worth of boats (I'll guess up to about hull 50), although reports were sporadic. Mine worked fine, although the freezer did ice up some. However, there were some refits performed on the intake water lines and seals on some boats. Again, I have heard that this is not a problem with the current production, but you might want to verify that with a new owner here. As for leaks, my view (probably the minority) is that they're caused by changes in rig tension. I had a couple leaks that were easily repaired by the guys who commissioned the boat. (At base of mast -- needed more caulking -- and an aft port rewquired rebedding.) Check with Sean and Corrine (Indigo Sea); they just took their 450 down the NW coast from Seattle to LA. their hull is among the first 12 and they've lived on her since commissioning. I'm sure they're in the owner directory. Good luck! ph.
yes, a phone call or trip to the factory will help you get your questions answered RE: hull construction. My understanding is that the hull is solid below the waterline, and cored above. The refer was an issue on the first year's worth of boats (I'll guess up to about hull 50), although reports were sporadic. Mine worked fine, although the freezer did ice up some. However, there were some refits performed on the intake water lines and seals on some boats. Again, I have heard that this is not a problem with the current production, but you might want to verify that with a new owner here. As for leaks, my view (probably the minority) is that they're caused by changes in rig tension. I had a couple leaks that were easily repaired by the guys who commissioned the boat. (At base of mast -- needed more caulking -- and an aft port rewquired rebedding.) Check with Sean and Corrine (Indigo Sea); they just took their 450 down the NW coast from Seattle to LA. their hull is among the first 12 and they've lived on her since commissioning. I'm sure they're in the owner directory. Good luck! ph.
450 Great !
Take the tour ! I did it when we bought our Passage 42. I am ordering a 450 and will do the tour again. It is great to see where all the stuff is hidden. Solid fiberglass below waterline below. Ref./Freezers are now not a problem now. Most leaks came from the fiberglass arch which is now stainless steel. The SS arch attachements eliminate the leak problem. If you want call me at 717-986-1764 and I'll tell you about the modifications we are making which include the Windless & the Engine Water Pump Impeller.
Take the tour ! I did it when we bought our Passage 42. I am ordering a 450 and will do the tour again. It is great to see where all the stuff is hidden. Solid fiberglass below waterline below. Ref./Freezers are now not a problem now. Most leaks came from the fiberglass arch which is now stainless steel. The SS arch attachements eliminate the leak problem. If you want call me at 717-986-1764 and I'll tell you about the modifications we are making which include the Windless & the Engine Water Pump Impeller.
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