hi, as a new 310 owner i would like to know if i should consider a bow thruster. would there be a signifacant improvement in reverse for docking? my 2nd question .... why do some non- hunter sailors consider the 310 to be too light a boat for serious sailing? i find the boat to sail well in all points of sail. i have reached 7 knots on a downwind and simular results on all points. am i missing something? thanks alan
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Hi Alans, I'm glad we do not have a thruster...
on our boat. I find ours easy to manoeuver in reverse once the boat has way. Docking, backing into a slip, 90 degree turns down long fairways, a cake walk. The three blade fixed and large rudder does a nice job in controlling the boat. Regarding the comments about serious sailing...did they define serious? Our H28 was a wonderful spirited sailboat. I would consider it a serious sailing boat by my definition. Terry
on our boat. I find ours easy to manoeuver in reverse once the boat has way. Docking, backing into a slip, 90 degree turns down long fairways, a cake walk. The three blade fixed and large rudder does a nice job in controlling the boat. Regarding the comments about serious sailing...did they define serious? Our H28 was a wonderful spirited sailboat. I would consider it a serious sailing boat by my definition. Terry
regarding the second question:
: some sailors don't think they're safe unless the full-keeled, underpowered sailboat in which they venture forth meets standards of stability established at a time when all sailing vessels carried cannons. Regarding the first question: no. As regards the third question, "am I missing something?" I confess that I do not have sufficient data upon which to draw an inference, other than to speculate: "Aren't we all missing something?"
: some sailors don't think they're safe unless the full-keeled, underpowered sailboat in which they venture forth meets standards of stability established at a time when all sailing vessels carried cannons. Regarding the first question: no. As regards the third question, "am I missing something?" I confess that I do not have sufficient data upon which to draw an inference, other than to speculate: "Aren't we all missing something?"
Since you ask, I think you are.
An 8,500 pounds 30 footer is a light, small boat. Hunter regards it as their smallest mid size keel boats just a bit larger than their class of pocket cruisers. For all practical purpose it is a coastal cruiser. It provides good light air performance, with good quality at a reasonable price. The boat's best design characteristics shine at dockside with a large cockpit designed for entertaining and all the amenities of home. High freeboard, small fuel and water tanks, large windows and portholes do not classify it as a blue water cruiser. Most people wish to add radar or auto pilot to their coastal cruiser but I have to say you are an exceptional gadget man wishing for bowthrusters. A day or weekend, fair weather sailor would not be happy with a heavy displacement cruiser so be happy with what you got. Come down the "Ditch" sail the "Keys" and perhaps the "Bahamas" the boat will bve good for that.
An 8,500 pounds 30 footer is a light, small boat. Hunter regards it as their smallest mid size keel boats just a bit larger than their class of pocket cruisers. For all practical purpose it is a coastal cruiser. It provides good light air performance, with good quality at a reasonable price. The boat's best design characteristics shine at dockside with a large cockpit designed for entertaining and all the amenities of home. High freeboard, small fuel and water tanks, large windows and portholes do not classify it as a blue water cruiser. Most people wish to add radar or auto pilot to their coastal cruiser but I have to say you are an exceptional gadget man wishing for bowthrusters. A day or weekend, fair weather sailor would not be happy with a heavy displacement cruiser so be happy with what you got. Come down the "Ditch" sail the "Keys" and perhaps the "Bahamas" the boat will bve good for that.
It depends
1. on what you mean by serious improvement and how bad you are at backing the boat. I'd say it is overkill and another electrical load you can't really afford on a boat that size. 2. on if you care what they say. It is not their idea of a serious boat for what they do with their boat so who cares. Does it make you happy? If yes then it is a serious boat for what you want sailboats to do.
1. on what you mean by serious improvement and how bad you are at backing the boat. I'd say it is overkill and another electrical load you can't really afford on a boat that size. 2. on if you care what they say. It is not their idea of a serious boat for what they do with their boat so who cares. Does it make you happy? If yes then it is a serious boat for what you want sailboats to do.
serious means different things to differnt people
its suposed to mean weather or not the boat is a good choice for long open passeges. like to europe or japan But, if you are not going that far you would have a great little boat and have a lot of fun on it. To lots of people on this the net a serious boat is one better than you own no mater what you got. This is a popular boat, hundreds out there with happy owners.
its suposed to mean weather or not the boat is a good choice for long open passeges. like to europe or japan But, if you are not going that far you would have a great little boat and have a lot of fun on it. To lots of people on this the net a serious boat is one better than you own no mater what you got. This is a popular boat, hundreds out there with happy owners.
Real sailers do not use bow thrusters...........
speacialy in a 33foot Hunter. I can understand if you have a full keel..difficult to maneuver or a 45 footer. But a 33 foot Hunter.... don't waste your money. Practice, practice, practice....you will be able to move that boat as if it had a bow thruster. abe
speacialy in a 33foot Hunter. I can understand if you have a full keel..difficult to maneuver or a 45 footer. But a 33 foot Hunter.... don't waste your money. Practice, practice, practice....you will be able to move that boat as if it had a bow thruster. abe
No stinken Thrushers
I have a 290 and no thruster just practice your forward and reverse movement,notice how the bow and stern move when you put in forward and than reverse,wind will add to the challenge.
I have a 290 and no thruster just practice your forward and reverse movement,notice how the bow and stern move when you put in forward and than reverse,wind will add to the challenge.
No stinken Thrushers
I have a 290 and no thruster just practice your forward and reverse movement,notice how the bow and stern move when you put in forward and than reverse,wind will add to the challenge.
I have a 290 and no thruster just practice your forward and reverse movement,notice how the bow and stern move when you put in forward and than reverse,wind will add to the challenge.
Thursters
I have a 44DS with a bow thruster. I use it every time when docking. With out it I would have to make 3 point turns both docking and leaving With the thruster I can leave the dock and make a very sharp turn at low speed. In reverse it also helps to keep the boat straight when backing and you have total control as to where the bow is. It is however still difficult in a cross wind because you will still get blown around when you stop using the thruster. Would I get one again, YOU BET YA.
I have a 44DS with a bow thruster. I use it every time when docking. With out it I would have to make 3 point turns both docking and leaving With the thruster I can leave the dock and make a very sharp turn at low speed. In reverse it also helps to keep the boat straight when backing and you have total control as to where the bow is. It is however still difficult in a cross wind because you will still get blown around when you stop using the thruster. Would I get one again, YOU BET YA.
Bow Thruster is very useful in some instances...
We had a bow thruster on our canal boat in France. It was very useful in threading the 4 meter wide boat into into the 5 meter wide locks, especially with a cross wind and the usual bypass sluice entering cross-stream just below the lock. However, I am still debating whether I will put one into my new 49. At the moment, I'm thinking of trying the boat without. If after a few months I want one, then ...
We had a bow thruster on our canal boat in France. It was very useful in threading the 4 meter wide boat into into the 5 meter wide locks, especially with a cross wind and the usual bypass sluice entering cross-stream just below the lock. However, I am still debating whether I will put one into my new 49. At the moment, I'm thinking of trying the boat without. If after a few months I want one, then ...
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