I'm considering purchasing my first boat for use in the rivers adjacent to the Chesapeake, and to the Bay itself. I'll be using it with my wife and 11 year-old son, neither of whom have had sailing experience beyond a weekend course. My experience has been mostly dinghys with the Navy and the same course where we sailed a 24' Rainbow. I'm looking for a stable boat for weekend and day sailing. I'd probably be doing most of the actuall skippering, with my wife and son crewing. Because of the stability consideration, quality of construction and overall aesthetics I've been drawn to the Com-Pac line, but I've also looked at Hunters as there is a nearby dealer we visited. We're looking in the range of less than 28 feet, and would probably be buying used as I want to keep the overall expense below $25K, and preferably below $20K if possible. I'd be interested in hearing why Hunter owners would encourage me to go with their line (or not!), and any suggestions for a good boat for our situation. Thanks in advance. Patrick P.S. My wife would love one with a wheel, as the tiller concept was a bit hard for her to grasp. I've never used a wheel before and would also like to know if the transition presents any problems.
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Have owned both and...
Patrick, You didn't mention trailering, but if your max is 28 ft., it doesn't sound like you plan to trailer. I've owned two Compac's (both 16's in the 80's) and two Hunters (an '86 23 and our current '96 19). I would consider several things when comparing the two brands. My 1996 Hunter is not built to the same standards of materials or workmanship that my 1986 Hunter was. I'm told that in the intervening period Hunter went from a "craftsman" approach to a production line. There have been a number of really nice design innovations, but in some cases they have been cheaply implemented. Our primary reasons for choosing the '96 19-footer (used) were price - paid about $5800 - and trailerability. The water balast setup essentially gives you a bigger boat for your towing capacity than does fixed balast. My Compac's were idyllic. They have that "salty" look and are built like little battleships. My wife and I weathered a real blow on the Georgia coast in one of them (35kts steady, gusts to 50 and a 5ft. "chop" in St. Catherine's Sound. The shrimpers were altering course to see if we were OK - we were - just sailed her back to the ramp upriver where we put in (after spending a night sheltered behind the islands). With the shoal draft keel, the Compac's can be knocked down, but they recover quickly with no harm done. In the same regard, water balasted boats tend to be quite tender. The shoal draft keel on the Compac's allowed more slippage than a deep keel or retractable board, too. Both boats are very easy to sail. In general, the Hunters offer better accomodations for a given size than the Compac's. However, I would not take a smaller Hunter into the same conditions I would a Compac of equal size (and I mean size - NOT displacment). So, do you plan to stick to sheltered waters and take cover when things get rough? Do you think you'll venture out for a little thrill when the "Sunday boaters" are heading in? Are you willing to settle for a smaller boat for the same money if you opt for the sturdiness of the Compac? I hope this gives you something you can use... RL
Patrick, You didn't mention trailering, but if your max is 28 ft., it doesn't sound like you plan to trailer. I've owned two Compac's (both 16's in the 80's) and two Hunters (an '86 23 and our current '96 19). I would consider several things when comparing the two brands. My 1996 Hunter is not built to the same standards of materials or workmanship that my 1986 Hunter was. I'm told that in the intervening period Hunter went from a "craftsman" approach to a production line. There have been a number of really nice design innovations, but in some cases they have been cheaply implemented. Our primary reasons for choosing the '96 19-footer (used) were price - paid about $5800 - and trailerability. The water balast setup essentially gives you a bigger boat for your towing capacity than does fixed balast. My Compac's were idyllic. They have that "salty" look and are built like little battleships. My wife and I weathered a real blow on the Georgia coast in one of them (35kts steady, gusts to 50 and a 5ft. "chop" in St. Catherine's Sound. The shrimpers were altering course to see if we were OK - we were - just sailed her back to the ramp upriver where we put in (after spending a night sheltered behind the islands). With the shoal draft keel, the Compac's can be knocked down, but they recover quickly with no harm done. In the same regard, water balasted boats tend to be quite tender. The shoal draft keel on the Compac's allowed more slippage than a deep keel or retractable board, too. Both boats are very easy to sail. In general, the Hunters offer better accomodations for a given size than the Compac's. However, I would not take a smaller Hunter into the same conditions I would a Compac of equal size (and I mean size - NOT displacment). So, do you plan to stick to sheltered waters and take cover when things get rough? Do you think you'll venture out for a little thrill when the "Sunday boaters" are heading in? Are you willing to settle for a smaller boat for the same money if you opt for the sturdiness of the Compac? I hope this gives you something you can use... RL
$25K
If you are willing to put out $25k you can move into a very nice older Hunter. The older Cherubinis can be had in this price range at least upto a 30' and maybe a 33'. You can also get a 28' or maybe even a 31' from the mid 80's. They boats have a lot of space and can handle more than you can in the bay or for coastal cruising. Check the owners reviews and the boats for sale to get some prices. One thing you want to keep in mind is everyone (most everyone) seems to get BBS (big-boat-syndrome). Get a boat that you can live with for several years. A larger boat is not necessarily more difficult to sail when rigged correctly.Think about inboard vs outboard power too. There is a HSA group in the Chesapeak that will help you find a boat if you are looking and they will probably show you how to sail it too. There are some great buys out there if you have time to look. I agree with Rob, if you plan on going out of the protected waters you probably need something a little more than a WB Hunter. Great boat for trailering and in protected water though.
If you are willing to put out $25k you can move into a very nice older Hunter. The older Cherubinis can be had in this price range at least upto a 30' and maybe a 33'. You can also get a 28' or maybe even a 31' from the mid 80's. They boats have a lot of space and can handle more than you can in the bay or for coastal cruising. Check the owners reviews and the boats for sale to get some prices. One thing you want to keep in mind is everyone (most everyone) seems to get BBS (big-boat-syndrome). Get a boat that you can live with for several years. A larger boat is not necessarily more difficult to sail when rigged correctly.Think about inboard vs outboard power too. There is a HSA group in the Chesapeak that will help you find a boat if you are looking and they will probably show you how to sail it too. There are some great buys out there if you have time to look. I agree with Rob, if you plan on going out of the protected waters you probably need something a little more than a WB Hunter. Great boat for trailering and in protected water though.
Lots of quality used boats
THere should be lots of quality used boats available in that size and price range in the Bay area. Don't limit yourself to two builders. For example, Cape Dory made a very high quiailty traditional looking boat. Now where are you going to keep this boat? I would suggest Urbanna. Quite well protected, many good anchorages nearby, not too far from the Bay, and not too far from Williamsburg.
THere should be lots of quality used boats available in that size and price range in the Bay area. Don't limit yourself to two builders. For example, Cape Dory made a very high quiailty traditional looking boat. Now where are you going to keep this boat? I would suggest Urbanna. Quite well protected, many good anchorages nearby, not too far from the Bay, and not too far from Williamsburg.
the choice is yours
thr compac 27/2 is a nice boat, but it has ir's drawbacks, it has a mini bow sprit, which is a pain even with roller furling, it's beany, but not a bad as thse fat packards, a large stern, and a second rate cabin layout. and for 25K you too can be a owner. the Hunter cherubini, from 1980 to 1984, has wider side decks, slightly less beam, weighs 1200 lbs. more, has a high aspect rig, the best cabin layout around and for 25K you can own two of them, Yes, down below the compac gives you lots of wood to take care of, no privacy in the V berth area, and a head built for midgets, but hey it's designed by bob johnson, who's famous for those pig boats.
thr compac 27/2 is a nice boat, but it has ir's drawbacks, it has a mini bow sprit, which is a pain even with roller furling, it's beany, but not a bad as thse fat packards, a large stern, and a second rate cabin layout. and for 25K you too can be a owner. the Hunter cherubini, from 1980 to 1984, has wider side decks, slightly less beam, weighs 1200 lbs. more, has a high aspect rig, the best cabin layout around and for 25K you can own two of them, Yes, down below the compac gives you lots of wood to take care of, no privacy in the V berth area, and a head built for midgets, but hey it's designed by bob johnson, who's famous for those pig boats.
my 2 cents
I also liked the looks of Com Pac and the stability. But with stability you lose some light air performance. It seems the Com Pac has a tougher time beating high into the wind. Don't plan on trailering with either. Tiller isn't hard to get the hang of. And I'd agree you can get a hell of a lot of used boat for 25K.
I also liked the looks of Com Pac and the stability. But with stability you lose some light air performance. It seems the Com Pac has a tougher time beating high into the wind. Don't plan on trailering with either. Tiller isn't hard to get the hang of. And I'd agree you can get a hell of a lot of used boat for 25K.
Cast About
Patrick, If your budget is $25K, you have a lot of choices for a nice boat in the 28-30' range. For Hunters, go to the Boats For Sale section of HOW and search, using a $20-30K price range. You can also do the same type search on the BUC site http://www.buc.com/ for all kinds of boats. For Bay Sailing with Hunter, I would look at the older Hunter 30's or mid 80's 28.5 or 31. Lots of Catalina 30's around and they are good family cruisers. Shoal draft would be good for those situations where an extra foot of water would make a huge difference in sailing fun! Individual boats can vary widely in equipment and condition in the same price range so shop carefully and wisely. A survey would be essential before closing the deal. I was on the Bay last fall for 4 days on a Tartan 37. Conditions were fantastic with winds of 15-20 and 3' waves except for one day that a front had kicked the Bay up pretty good with winds 20-25. That was a day that a 28-30' boat would have been fine but anything much smaller would have been pretty uncomfortable. You won't have any problem going from tiller to wheel. HTH Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Patrick, If your budget is $25K, you have a lot of choices for a nice boat in the 28-30' range. For Hunters, go to the Boats For Sale section of HOW and search, using a $20-30K price range. You can also do the same type search on the BUC site http://www.buc.com/ for all kinds of boats. For Bay Sailing with Hunter, I would look at the older Hunter 30's or mid 80's 28.5 or 31. Lots of Catalina 30's around and they are good family cruisers. Shoal draft would be good for those situations where an extra foot of water would make a huge difference in sailing fun! Individual boats can vary widely in equipment and condition in the same price range so shop carefully and wisely. A survey would be essential before closing the deal. I was on the Bay last fall for 4 days on a Tartan 37. Conditions were fantastic with winds of 15-20 and 3' waves except for one day that a front had kicked the Bay up pretty good with winds 20-25. That was a day that a 28-30' boat would have been fine but anything much smaller would have been pretty uncomfortable. You won't have any problem going from tiller to wheel. HTH Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
check this
You might wanna have a look at the July issue of Cruising World. They have an article on well built classic cruisers at bargain prices.
You might wanna have a look at the July issue of Cruising World. They have an article on well built classic cruisers at bargain prices.
$6G
I owned a Hunter 23 about five years ago. Bought it in the water in very good condition for $6,000.... Sold it 8 months later to move up to a H37C for $4500... You can find a lot of great boats for under $20G's for sure... Ron
I owned a Hunter 23 about five years ago. Bought it in the water in very good condition for $6,000.... Sold it 8 months later to move up to a H37C for $4500... You can find a lot of great boats for under $20G's for sure... Ron
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