Well we finally closed on our new (to us) Hunter 37.5 last Saturday. The boat was located in Vancouver which left us with a mid-winter 80 mile trip home at a latitude north of Montreal, Canada. We load and store our gear aboard on Saturday for a planned Sunday departure. While sunny on Saturday, there were extensive fog banks on the Strait of Georgia. More are forecast for Saturday night and early Sunday so we delay our departure until late Sunday morning as Wanderlust is not yet equipped with radar. We motor around a number of large freighters in English Bay off Vancouver and set sail in the Strait of Georgia in light northwesterly winds. Wanderlust sails like a dream. In 5-10 knot winds our boat speed is 4.5-6 knots. Even when the true wind drops to 4-5 knots, we are still able to sail at 3.5 knots close hauled. As we sail away from the coast the view off the stern is spectacular. The weather is sunny with temperatures in the mid 40's. The Coast range of British Columbia spreads out with snow capped mountains from 7000 to 10,000 feet. I can't imagine the view would be any better in Alaska, Norway or Patagonia. We sail across the Strait about 25 miles to Silva Bay on Gabriola Island where we spend the night. The next day we need to clear Gabriola Pass where the tidal currents run up to 7 knots. We time our passage for slack water at 1245. Of course everybody wants to go through at slack water, and as we approach we see several tugs towing large log booms (chained together logs in a perimeter penning in other logs on their way to a mill) coming at us from the opposite direction. They ignore our VHF calls, but we get through the narrow part of the pass before they arrive and manage to get past them on the far side of the channel. We end up dodging their log droppings for the next two hours. It's chilly with a head wind for the trip down Trincomali Channel. We let the autohelm take over and keep watch for logs sitting on the bridgedeck under the protection of the spray dodger. Night two is spent at Ganges on Saltspring Island, one of our favorite places. The forecast for the next day includes gale warnings. The morning weather report has southeasterly winds of 30-40 knots in Haro Strait which we need to cross. We decide to stay put for the day. Ganges is not the greatest in a southeaster. The floating breakwater knocks down the breakers, but a strong swell still rolls through the marina. Next to us, the finger a Nauticat 33 is tied to breaks loose from the main dock, and we help them warp over to our finger. Fortunately the winds veer more to the south and the swell diminishes. The forecast the next day is still frisky with 20-30 knot winds forecast but at least below the gale level, and we decide to have a go at it, scoping out a couple of protected anchorages if it gets too rough. We contact Victoria Coast Guard before crossing Haro Strait, and they get a report from a large freighter in the area-- 25-30 knot southeasterly winds with a heavy chop but no large waves. Our entire trip back includes continuous winds on the bow at about 25 knots with gusts to 40 and intermittent rain with temperatures in the low 40's. The chop is 4-6 feet in short intervals and pretty squared off. Though we bury the bow on several occasions, Wanderlust performs like a champ. The increased diplacement compared to our H33.5 was very nice to have. Back in more protected waters the chop levels a bit though the winds are still strong. We clear customs at Friday Harbor without a problem and make it make to Orcas Island, a bit waterlogged but happy to be home. Kathrene Pinkerton writes that "a boat,like a horse or a dog, does not change ownership with the mere payment of money. Ownership must be consummated. Only when the master has taken his craft through storm and fog, through tough times and happy sailing does she become truly his." We've brought her home and she's brought us home. The process has begun. Yee-hah. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H375
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Pictures
Gary, now you have to post some pictures of her. Like any new baby, you must have some already.
Gary, now you have to post some pictures of her. Like any new baby, you must have some already.
Here Ya Go, Paul
The best available pictures are off the dealer's web site which is attached. Isn't she the most beautiful thing? Gary
The best available pictures are off the dealer's web site which is attached. Isn't she the most beautiful thing?
GaryThanks Gary!
Great story and nice pics of the new addition to your family =) Regards, -Jim- s/v Forever
Great story and nice pics of the new addition to your family =) Regards, -Jim- s/v Forever
Gary, congrats on your new boat. Nice pics...
We've made that same trip, too. Ganges can be a stink in a southerly, but a wonderful place to visit. Terry s/v Belle-Vie
We've made that same trip, too. Ganges can be a stink in a southerly, but a wonderful place to visit. Terry s/v Belle-Vie
Gary, congratulations,
and a beautiful yacht! When are you taking her north again? You can't cruise the San Juan's, you live there. We'll be in the Desolation Sound area in August. Hope to see you.
and a beautiful yacht! When are you taking her north again? You can't cruise the San Juan's, you live there. We'll be in the Desolation Sound area in August. Hope to see you.
Congrats Gary.
The Legend series is unquestionably the prettiest of all the Hunters. Maybe all sailboats! But you knew that having owned(or own?) a 33.5. Did you rename her already? Thanks for the pictures and the traveloque. Sailing in February, whoever heard of that?
The Legend series is unquestionably the prettiest of all the Hunters. Maybe all sailboats! But you knew that having owned(or own?) a 33.5. Did you rename her already? Thanks for the pictures and the traveloque. Sailing in February, whoever heard of that?
Great looking boat Gary
May the bonding include many memories of exciting passages and peaceful anchorages. PM
May the bonding include many memories of exciting passages and peaceful anchorages. PM
Gary, well written account
and I thought all you could do was write in the form of a question. Boy it seems if it isn't raining here it is blowing big. Congrats, Scott
and I thought all you could do was write in the form of a question. Boy it seems if it isn't raining here it is blowing big. Congrats, Scott
Gorgeous!
But any grandfather would say that. I own a 1988 Legend 37, which is the grandfather of your boat. She looks very similar on both the outside and inside, equipted very similar and sails like a doll. She loves 12-15 kts of wind and you never get tired on her. I've done some long days and she's carried me far. Good Luck, sonny!
But any grandfather would say that. I own a 1988 Legend 37, which is the grandfather of your boat. She looks very similar on both the outside and inside, equipted very similar and sails like a doll. She loves 12-15 kts of wind and you never get tired on her. I've done some long days and she's carried me far. Good Luck, sonny!
Legend series
I hate to bring this up again, but can anyone imagine where Hunter sailboats would be if only they had stuck with their most popular line of boats EVER- 28.5,33.5, 35.5, 37.5, 40.5- and just rolled all their design and manufacturing improvements into them. Instead we get so-called "new" models every few years with no consistancy year to year. Ask the 336, 376, 320, 340, 380, 326, 356 etc. owners whose boats are "old tech" before they're barely a few years old. Gary, I'm very happy to see that you found happiness in what I consider one of the top 3 boats Hunter ever built. I'm sure she'll serve you well for many years to come.
I hate to bring this up again, but can anyone imagine where Hunter sailboats would be if only they had stuck with their most popular line of boats EVER- 28.5,33.5, 35.5, 37.5, 40.5- and just rolled all their design and manufacturing improvements into them. Instead we get so-called "new" models every few years with no consistancy year to year. Ask the 336, 376, 320, 340, 380, 326, 356 etc. owners whose boats are "old tech" before they're barely a few years old. Gary, I'm very happy to see that you found happiness in what I consider one of the top 3 boats Hunter ever built. I'm sure she'll serve you well for many years to come.
Where we'd be if only....
Marc You wrote: "but can anyone imagine where Hunter sailboats would be if only they had stuck with their most popular line of boats EVER- 28.5,33.5, 35.5, 37.5, 40.5- and just rolled all their design and manufacturing improvements into them. Instead we get so-called "new" models every few years with no consistancy year to year. Ask the 336, 376, 320, 340, 380, 326, 356 etc. owners whose boats are "old tech" before they're barely a few years old." Where we'd be is: 1. as you note, with much better all around boats 2. Catalinas wouldn't look like Hunters and Catalina wouldn't have had to come out with 3 or 4 different 38 foot boats in less than three years 3. Hunter wouldn't have tried to look like older Catalinas 4. The stupid race wouldn't have begun 5. We'd all have been better served with consistency in boats over the years instead of new tail fins every year. Thanks for the concept! Gary, nice boat, a keeper! Stu
Marc You wrote: "but can anyone imagine where Hunter sailboats would be if only they had stuck with their most popular line of boats EVER- 28.5,33.5, 35.5, 37.5, 40.5- and just rolled all their design and manufacturing improvements into them. Instead we get so-called "new" models every few years with no consistancy year to year. Ask the 336, 376, 320, 340, 380, 326, 356 etc. owners whose boats are "old tech" before they're barely a few years old." Where we'd be is: 1. as you note, with much better all around boats 2. Catalinas wouldn't look like Hunters and Catalina wouldn't have had to come out with 3 or 4 different 38 foot boats in less than three years 3. Hunter wouldn't have tried to look like older Catalinas 4. The stupid race wouldn't have begun 5. We'd all have been better served with consistency in boats over the years instead of new tail fins every year. Thanks for the concept! Gary, nice boat, a keeper! Stu
Thanks, guys.
We have a few kinks to work out and a few improvements to make (e.g. radar)and then we're off for some cruising. The plan for this summer is two months on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Next year we're looking at four months up the Inside Passage to Alaska. After that, who knows? Thanks for your thoughts. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H375
We have a few kinks to work out and a few improvements to make (e.g. radar)and then we're off for some cruising. The plan for this summer is two months on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Next year we're looking at four months up the Inside Passage to Alaska. After that, who knows? Thanks for your thoughts. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H375
Gary - REALLY Nice Write-up!
It was really enjoyable to read your story. You have a real knack to write about not only the route and how you did it but including the personal items about your feelings and decisions. That makes the story so much more interesting. Those poor people with the Nauticat that got away - I can imagine how they must have felt. That's a lot of boat to manhandle in those high winds. Thanks very much for shareing your experience with us. And the pictures look great! Like NEW!! -= John =- S/V Servus Hunter "Legend" 35 P.S. I agree with some of the previous posters - if only the newer boats they waterproofed the chain locker and added more insulation around the ice box. Oh, and better wire chases. Maybe I'll think of a few more things after I send this off.
It was really enjoyable to read your story. You have a real knack to write about not only the route and how you did it but including the personal items about your feelings and decisions. That makes the story so much more interesting. Those poor people with the Nauticat that got away - I can imagine how they must have felt. That's a lot of boat to manhandle in those high winds. Thanks very much for shareing your experience with us. And the pictures look great! Like NEW!! -= John =- S/V Servus Hunter "Legend" 35 P.S. I agree with some of the previous posters - if only the newer boats they waterproofed the chain locker and added more insulation around the ice box. Oh, and better wire chases. Maybe I'll think of a few more things after I send this off.
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