Buying a boat

Scott · Oct 29, 2013

h31

My wife and I love our 31 so much, while we were tempted many times to "move up" we never did. We've had this boat since '90 and know every square inch of her.
With all the courses you have taken, I'm confident you wouldn't have any difficulty handling it. Just remember to reef early - like before ~18kts.

Have fun

Don S/V ILLusion · Oct 29, 2013

The two conventional wisdoms apply. Smaller boats are more fun and typically get used more, and
No one ever lamented having too much interior space.

The best of both worlds is always a dilemma.

rufus1138 · Oct 29, 2013

im currently a full time liveaboard and have been since april 2011, i started out alone in a 1980 27ft hunter tall rig (for sale) and loved every minute of it, the wife moved in with me in july of 2012 and we recently (a few weeks ago) moved up to a 1978 hunter 33 and i can say after a huge amount of research and a couple years experience that its the best decision i ever made (liveaboard) and that i would suggest getting a boat in the 27-28 foot range for your first liveaboard boat, it will teach you alot about what you really need and what is a luxury. if you arent going to live on the boat i would suggest something in the 23-25 foot range since those get used more often. for a long term liveaboard i would suggest starting out in something like the cherubini designed hunter 27 or a 28 oday to learn then moving to a mid 30's range boat, the smaller the better. over 36-37 feet the maintenance cost skyrockets. after shopping and researching ad-nauseum i have to say that the 33 hunter cherubini hits the liveaboard cruising bill right down the middle, the layout is great for passage making yet big enough for dockside living, entertaining, and living on the hook, the hull is nearly bulletproof and the cockpit is a dream.

Stu Jackson · Oct 29, 2013

Don's right.

But, here's the but, I've been dis-proving that axiom that "the amount of use a boat gets is inversely proportional to its length."

We had a C22 from 83 to 87 and used it weekly. We had a C25 from 87 to 98 and used it weekly. We have a C34 since 98 and use it weekly.

See a pattern here?

Buy the bigger boat, your head and back will thank you for it. I singlehand my C34 most of the time. Took a few weeks of practice at the beginning, but learn how to use a midships spring line for docking and you'll be just fine.

Single Handing 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html

Single Handing 101.1 Midship Cleats Pictures http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4921.0.html

Good luck.

LuzSD · Oct 29, 2013

Get the bigger boat, it will seems small soon enough! Our friends gave us some advise when we bought ours and we should have listened (we didn't). The advise was to get the biggest boat we thought we would want over the next 10 years or so. We got our beautiful lovely 30 and are very happy, but always thinking about the 36 or so that we'd really like. Get the bigger boat, it makes a difference.

robertsapp · Oct 29, 2013

I seldom if ever hear anyone say they wish they had a smaller boat. On the other hand, I have quite often heard people say they're shopping for a larger one.

Sanfelice · Oct 29, 2013

I sailed a 28.5 for 15 years and now have a Catalina 30. The 28.5 is a great sailing boat that feels more like a dinghy when it comes to handling. Great for single handling. Winches are at hand and rarely in need of a handle once you get the timing right. As fast as as a Catalina 30. The 31 will have more interior room but if you are not planning to take long cruises the 28.5 is fine for weekends. The Origo alcohol stoves work quite well but not as hot as propane. I believe that you will sail the 28.5 more than the 31 but will spend more time aboard with the 31 although at the dock. By the way, I am the same age as you so I think I speak from experience ( more than 50 years). Don't let my location fool you as I am a Florida Native

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David in Sandusky · Oct 29, 2013

Electric Heate?

If you plan to spend cold weather at the dock, you can get an excellent 120 volt electric heater that will do a great job for the 28.5.

On the anchor or mooring ball, you will need a diesel or similar heater, or wood fireplace. All of these options require mounting, ventilation, and a chimney.

For a day or two, a clay pot inverted over one of our alcohol burners works for us.

Go with the boat you like! They are both great boats. Joanne and I are very happy on a '77 h27. 8 weeks has been our longest cruise, but we know we could go much longer!

Fair winds and following seas whichever way you go.

tomgrigsby · Oct 30, 2013

Two burner alcohol stove seems to work fine. I haven't seen many on the forum say they actually use their oven, and many take them out to use the space for something else. My H30 has an electric heater that works well for dockside.
I went from a 22 to my 30. The 30 is more difficult to dock for me mostly because it has an inboard instead of an outboard. The larger boat is soooo much more stable, especially in a blow. It is really much easier to sail IMHO. I can't imagine it would be measurably easier to handle a 28.5 vs 31. You'll use the winches for sailhandling either way and main sheeting effort will be the same as well. Steering? No real difference in handling. If you can handle a 28.5, there's no reason to think you can't handle a 31. I'd say it comes down to boat condition and price. Go for it!

Sanjuan26 · Oct 30, 2013

I have friend who just put id Hunter 28 on the market 1990 I think but in great shape for 18500 in Colonial Beach Va tall rig sails great single handed.

LuzSD · Oct 30, 2013

I totally relate to the idea of seeing little boats in your head........ after a difficult day sometimes the only way I can get to sleep is to 'get on our boat' and set sails for a nice swift close reach and listen and feel the water as it goes by........ Truly sailing is my peace on earth.

Please don't miss the idea that these two boats are not the only two for sale !! If these are not PERFECT in your needs and mind, then let them both go and wait for the right one. You will know it the minute you set foot on it...... its out there, we all have had that boat at one point or another. Don't make the mistake of rushing the purchase... there are lots of great boats out there.

Enjoy your purchase and getting to that point. What better thing to do than shop for a 'new' boat... that's why its so much fun going to a boat show. Slow down and get it right.

OceanDriver · Oct 31, 2013

LuzSD said:
I totally relate to the idea of seeing little boats in your head........ after a difficult day sometimes the only way I can get to sleep is to 'get on our boat' and set sails for a nice swift close reach and listen and feel the water as it goes by........ Truly sailing is my peace on earth. Please don't miss the idea that these two boats are not the only two for sale !! If these are not PERFECT in your needs and mind, then let them both go and wait for the right one. You will know it the minute you set foot on it...... its out there, we all have had that boat at one point or another. Don't make the mistake of rushing the purchase... there are lots of great boats out there. Enjoy your purchase and getting to that point. What better thing to do than shop for a 'new' boat... that's why its so much fun going to a boat show. Slow down and get it right.

I have a 1984 31 in excellent condition out of water recently in Avalon nj that I would part with. Going into the power world. I completely refurbished her. She has 3 great sails. All new interior, ac and refrigeration. Just had engine completely serviced. She is fine tuned and ready for a quick sale. I have plenty of pics if interested. Art award31@yahoo.com

LuzSD · Nov 1, 2013

See Sunshine Girl, OceanDriver is exactly what I am talking about. We had a boat that we thought about selling...... it was a family boat no one was using but she has such a great personality, sails so nice, etc. We were less interested in getting a lot of money for her as we were getting a good home for her. We sailors are very attached to our boats and there are so many people who have to or want to part with them but you might not know of them except for a forum like this.... You have options, explore them and good luck!

mjsander · Nov 10, 2013

I vote for the 28.5. In fact, I have a clean, freshwater one listed for sale in the classified section. Seriously, it's a great boat, as much room down below as some 30 footers. Less to maintain than a 30 footer.

Sunshine Girl said:
I have been sailing for approximately one year and have completed up to ASA106 certification. I want to buy a boat and am not sure whether I should get the Hunter 28.5 or 31. I love that I have such a good view of the boat on the water, and passed up a Catalina 30 because I couldn't see...Both boats have great instrumentation and are in good shape...I'm afraid that the 31 could be a bit much to handle for my first boat but really love the comfortable living space...
Help, please!