Hey Everybody! I know there is some confusion about the sequence of the "Cruisin in a 25.5" articles, so I will try to straighten it out. The part that never posted is the leg of our trip from Key West to St. Augustine. We went south from Key West into the Gulf Stream, to the Bahamas, and then into Fort Pierce and up the intercoastal to St, Augustine. I posted the rather lengthy article and my computer crashed while trying to post it. The article was to be the "part 3", and I got sidetracked in the numerical posting and titled the posted "part 4" as "part 3". I has been over a year since I tried to post it, and never got arount to trying it again. I will try to repost them in the future... So here is the link to the actual "part 5"!
- Status
Thanks for pictures.
Brian I have a 84 Hunter 25.5 which survived Ivan with minor scratches. (love my boat) You have done so many cool things to your boat keep sending those picks. Pat
Brian I have a 84 Hunter 25.5 which survived Ivan with minor scratches. (love my boat) You have done so many cool things to your boat keep sending those picks. Pat
Steph?
Is that the same Steph from Parts I and II? She looks very different, did not recognize. Anyway thanks for the update, It was a long wait!!
Is that the same Steph from Parts I and II? She looks very different, did not recognize. Anyway thanks for the update, It was a long wait!!
Amazing what you have done!
Brian, I am amazed that you have done so much with a 25.5. You have packed so much comfort into that boat. Enjoy your cruising - I wish I could do so much! Thanks for sharing your logs.
Brian, I am amazed that you have done so much with a 25.5. You have packed so much comfort into that boat. Enjoy your cruising - I wish I could do so much! Thanks for sharing your logs.
Drew
Drew, I have a house on the water in VA near Cole's Point. I guess its time to update my info in the owner's listing on this site. I used to be at a marina on Aquia Creek (close to Stafford or Fredericksburg).
Drew, I have a house on the water in VA near Cole's Point. I guess its time to update my info in the owner's listing on this site. I used to be at a marina on Aquia Creek (close to Stafford or Fredericksburg).
Displacement
How much do you estimate your boat weighs with all the stuff you added to it since it was built? Do you feel that it has effected the boats performance?
How much do you estimate your boat weighs with all the stuff you added to it since it was built? Do you feel that it has effected the boats performance?
cruising in a small boat...
Yes, we have definitely felt a difference in the performance. The difference in the displacement is about 1200 pounds (including gear and canvas). Early on we knew that we were going to drastically change the characteristics of the boat, so careful planning for the changes started early as well. We started with a stainless steel keel boot into which we incorporated lead for ballast, and subsequently glassed in the entire keel with major reinforcement at the bolt locations. This added approximately 450 pounds to the entire keel (about 25% of the original keel weight). We reduced weight where we could as well. The original cabin sole was constructed from 3/4" Ply and is now 1/2" with stringers fore and aft to accomodate for the proper height of the sole. The new stern assembly and rudder are foam and aluminum... LIGHTER than the original Hunter design. The rigging was upsized and reinforcements made at the chainplates. The list goes on and on. The overall waterline difference from when we first purchased her is about 4 inches... not too bad really if you take into account the amount of gear and provisions we carry. Empty Pocket is not the original boat that Hunter Marine designed... she is a true cruising vessel packed into a small, but very capable, shell. We have literally taken her on 400 mile passages in open water, been subjected to every kind of weather (more than I really care to remember or experience again!), and gone for 60 days at a time without tying to a dock. Alot of people give us a hard time about "wasting" our money on a small boat, but what they really don't get is that it is NOT about money... it's about getting out there and living the cruising lifestyle. Where else can you truly take your destiny into your own hands? The sea is truly the "last frontier", and the people that answer it's call have something that I admire: the fortitude to live a "self-sufficient" lifestyle... be it in a big boat, or a small one. I just happen to prefer the "small" vessel. (...it is actually FUN to overcome the challenges.) I own a marine business that caters to cruisers, and we practice what we preach. I have absolutely no plans to "upgrade to a bigger boat". ...sorry about the dissertation. I've just been dealing with alot of jerks in my e-mail! Brian
Yes, we have definitely felt a difference in the performance. The difference in the displacement is about 1200 pounds (including gear and canvas). Early on we knew that we were going to drastically change the characteristics of the boat, so careful planning for the changes started early as well. We started with a stainless steel keel boot into which we incorporated lead for ballast, and subsequently glassed in the entire keel with major reinforcement at the bolt locations. This added approximately 450 pounds to the entire keel (about 25% of the original keel weight). We reduced weight where we could as well. The original cabin sole was constructed from 3/4" Ply and is now 1/2" with stringers fore and aft to accomodate for the proper height of the sole. The new stern assembly and rudder are foam and aluminum... LIGHTER than the original Hunter design. The rigging was upsized and reinforcements made at the chainplates. The list goes on and on. The overall waterline difference from when we first purchased her is about 4 inches... not too bad really if you take into account the amount of gear and provisions we carry. Empty Pocket is not the original boat that Hunter Marine designed... she is a true cruising vessel packed into a small, but very capable, shell. We have literally taken her on 400 mile passages in open water, been subjected to every kind of weather (more than I really care to remember or experience again!), and gone for 60 days at a time without tying to a dock. Alot of people give us a hard time about "wasting" our money on a small boat, but what they really don't get is that it is NOT about money... it's about getting out there and living the cruising lifestyle. Where else can you truly take your destiny into your own hands? The sea is truly the "last frontier", and the people that answer it's call have something that I admire: the fortitude to live a "self-sufficient" lifestyle... be it in a big boat, or a small one. I just happen to prefer the "small" vessel. (...it is actually FUN to overcome the challenges.) I own a marine business that caters to cruisers, and we practice what we preach. I have absolutely no plans to "upgrade to a bigger boat". ...sorry about the dissertation. I've just been dealing with alot of jerks in my e-mail! Brian
Less is more
often when you're talking boat size. Every one wants more space but most can't afford it;hence the large number of neglected boats. Bigger means bigger slip fees, bigger bottom job fees, bigger insurance premiums, more expensive haul-outs, costly storage or trailering fees, etc. The late Jerry Cardwell wrote a good little book called " Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat" Though it is centered around trailer sailers mainly, the point is the same. Why have a big expensive but empty boat when for the same money or less you can have a smaller, well appointed, and les costly boat. Brian, you and Steph are great examples of "Cardwell's Law". Thanks for the arm chair sailing you have provided to the rest of use. As for the still sceptical, have you seen Pacicic Seacraft's 24 foot "Dana". Yes very pricey but very nice. If money were no object I,d have one in a minute!
often when you're talking boat size. Every one wants more space but most can't afford it;hence the large number of neglected boats. Bigger means bigger slip fees, bigger bottom job fees, bigger insurance premiums, more expensive haul-outs, costly storage or trailering fees, etc. The late Jerry Cardwell wrote a good little book called " Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat" Though it is centered around trailer sailers mainly, the point is the same. Why have a big expensive but empty boat when for the same money or less you can have a smaller, well appointed, and les costly boat. Brian, you and Steph are great examples of "Cardwell's Law". Thanks for the arm chair sailing you have provided to the rest of use. As for the still sceptical, have you seen Pacicic Seacraft's 24 foot "Dana". Yes very pricey but very nice. If money were no object I,d have one in a minute!
It's your perfect fit.
Brian and Steph A quick thanks for continuing the absolute best photo journal. I assure you that your effort has impacted and encouraged many people. From looking closely at the pics you have a real piece of art in your boat. I can’t find a single square inch that hasn’t obviously been thought through to its maximum. Your attention to detail is obviously not just a matter of making a better boat to sell or some contrived ego yacht so don’t let those who you have confused by your clarity of vision to distract you. Your creation is a functional piece of art that you can actually use. The concept alone is enough to frustrate those who can only hope to buy their satisfaction, which of course is impossible. Your deep contentment with the accomplishment will forever evade them. A craftsman with such vision could have done just about anything so the fact that you’ve chosen to enjoy sailing shows the character of a great team. I’m certainly not surprised that you are in the boating industry but I’m also relieved that you take the time to share your photos and lifestyle with everyone. The world could use more people like you both. Be content in knowing that you exasperate those who will never understand your attention to detail combined with the simplicity of your sailing lifestyle. Keep up the good work and please continue to keep us up to date on your adventures. Thanks and Aloha, Michael
Brian and Steph A quick thanks for continuing the absolute best photo journal. I assure you that your effort has impacted and encouraged many people. From looking closely at the pics you have a real piece of art in your boat. I can’t find a single square inch that hasn’t obviously been thought through to its maximum. Your attention to detail is obviously not just a matter of making a better boat to sell or some contrived ego yacht so don’t let those who you have confused by your clarity of vision to distract you. Your creation is a functional piece of art that you can actually use. The concept alone is enough to frustrate those who can only hope to buy their satisfaction, which of course is impossible. Your deep contentment with the accomplishment will forever evade them. A craftsman with such vision could have done just about anything so the fact that you’ve chosen to enjoy sailing shows the character of a great team. I’m certainly not surprised that you are in the boating industry but I’m also relieved that you take the time to share your photos and lifestyle with everyone. The world could use more people like you both. Be content in knowing that you exasperate those who will never understand your attention to detail combined with the simplicity of your sailing lifestyle. Keep up the good work and please continue to keep us up to date on your adventures. Thanks and Aloha, Michael
- Status