I truly appreciate the spirited woman. I have since before I left the prairie for the Navy in '87, and, the day two years (and a little change)later I first experienced the sea, she became, in fact, my first love. Four very busy years on an aircraft carrier left me with a profound respect for the beauty, toils, and danger of the open ocean, so now, as I have begun pursuit of the dream of living aboard and sailing a boat, I come in search of knowledge, to wit: I am single. I desire a boat I can comfortably live aboard year-round, manage at sea alone (or with company) as a beginner through accomplished. I have been actively researching for the past year and have come to the conclusion it is time to seek the opinions of experienced cruisers and livers aboard. What type of boat will come to me affordably and act as a platform for my progressive wants to eventually bear me throughout the Carribbean islands and beyond, to those of the south Pacific, comfortably and safely. I have read much and I am drifting toward the Hunter, somewhere between 35' and 41'. Single sailing is an issue and I don't want a boat that will be too much to handle. To waylay any concerns, I am a realist and am not inclined to be dangerously ambitious. As I mentioned before, I have the gravest respect for the power the sea, and love for its beauty.
- Status
Ballast/Displacement
I have a H35.5 and although I do not consider it an Offshore cruiser it has been in the Vic -Maui race. It has a ballast of 4800 lbs with a displacement of 13,000 for a ratio of 37%. Although this seems to be a fairly high ratio versus the new models it is a fairly tender boat. It has a wing keel with a 4' 6" draft and I believe the depth of the ballast makes a substantial difference. I read an article in Feb Sail mag on someone who took an older C+C 36 accross the Pacific. It had a bal/disp ratio of around 50% with a deeper fin keel. I don't know how they arrive at the capsize ratio's however they rate anything less than 2.0 as offshore capable.
I have a H35.5 and although I do not consider it an Offshore cruiser it has been in the Vic -Maui race. It has a ballast of 4800 lbs with a displacement of 13,000 for a ratio of 37%. Although this seems to be a fairly high ratio versus the new models it is a fairly tender boat. It has a wing keel with a 4' 6" draft and I believe the depth of the ballast makes a substantial difference. I read an article in Feb Sail mag on someone who took an older C+C 36 accross the Pacific. It had a bal/disp ratio of around 50% with a deeper fin keel. I don't know how they arrive at the capsize ratio's however they rate anything less than 2.0 as offshore capable.
Go smaller
Get the smallest boat that fits your needs, not the largest boat that fits your budget. Bigger boat=more maintenance, more slip fees, more work raising sails, more deck to clean, etc. Just make sure it is fit for the ocean. I enjoy my 84 H34 for the last 20 years. I know enough not to try to cross oceans wtih it. Bays, gulfs, intracoastals are fine for my boat. I probably could sail across the ocean (and some 34's have) but the margin of safety decreases. Have fun and make sure you GO!
Get the smallest boat that fits your needs, not the largest boat that fits your budget. Bigger boat=more maintenance, more slip fees, more work raising sails, more deck to clean, etc. Just make sure it is fit for the ocean. I enjoy my 84 H34 for the last 20 years. I know enough not to try to cross oceans wtih it. Bays, gulfs, intracoastals are fine for my boat. I probably could sail across the ocean (and some 34's have) but the margin of safety decreases. Have fun and make sure you GO!
Dj, I'm with you when it comes to bigger boats
I have never had a problem fighting the urge to get a bigger boat (since I bought this one). Even after doing the math and deciding to rebuild instead of abandon our H34 in South America, I have not regretted the decision. But a sound H34 is plenty safe, even in the rough stuff. It just depends on how you dress your lady. But again, just watch out for women.
I have never had a problem fighting the urge to get a bigger boat (since I bought this one). Even after doing the math and deciding to rebuild instead of abandon our H34 in South America, I have not regretted the decision. But a sound H34 is plenty safe, even in the rough stuff. It just depends on how you dress your lady. But again, just watch out for women.
For the Money .....
The Hunter may be good for you short term. When you are ready to go off shore you'll know what you will want and should have a better boat. They are good value when you buy them used but when you do the math required for an extensive retrofit it doesn't make sense to invest a lot in most of them. (one or two folks here may disagree) Do your live aboard, coastal cruising and training on one but limit you investment beacuse the next owner will be looking for a bargain just like you are.
The Hunter may be good for you short term. When you are ready to go off shore you'll know what you will want and should have a better boat. They are good value when you buy them used but when you do the math required for an extensive retrofit it doesn't make sense to invest a lot in most of them. (one or two folks here may disagree) Do your live aboard, coastal cruising and training on one but limit you investment beacuse the next owner will be looking for a bargain just like you are.
Daryl, nothing there to argue with.
Lots of factors to consider though. The most important, IMO is skipper knowledge/ability/available time. How's that for condensing this hobby to one line?
Whoops, I failed. Forgot available MONEY.
Lots of factors to consider though. The most important, IMO is skipper knowledge/ability/available time. How's that for condensing this hobby to one line?
Whoops, I failed. Forgot available MONEY.Sharing the dream
Tom I’m kind of in the same boat as you, I dream of sailing off into the sunset in my golden years. I started the first of my six step retirement plan. 1. Learn to sail. I started with a 1986 Hunter 23.5 wing keel. 2. Learn to maintain my future floating home. 3. Learn navigation, both electronic and celestial. 4. Learn the local language. Spanish will be my first second language. 5. Insure there is an adequate nest egg. I’ve worked enough, now it’s time to play. 6. Learn to eat seafood. Give me a good thick Nebraska corn fed steak anytime. I don’t know if there is a perfect boat for everything you want to do, but IMHO it’s liken to growing old. We Crawl, We Toddle, We Walk, We Trot, We Run, We Trot,We Walk,We Toddle,We Crawl. Sailing Does Not Deplete American Oil Reserves! Bob
Tom I’m kind of in the same boat as you, I dream of sailing off into the sunset in my golden years. I started the first of my six step retirement plan. 1. Learn to sail. I started with a 1986 Hunter 23.5 wing keel. 2. Learn to maintain my future floating home. 3. Learn navigation, both electronic and celestial. 4. Learn the local language. Spanish will be my first second language. 5. Insure there is an adequate nest egg. I’ve worked enough, now it’s time to play. 6. Learn to eat seafood. Give me a good thick Nebraska corn fed steak anytime. I don’t know if there is a perfect boat for everything you want to do, but IMHO it’s liken to growing old. We Crawl, We Toddle, We Walk, We Trot, We Run, We Trot,We Walk,We Toddle,We Crawl. Sailing Does Not Deplete American Oil Reserves! Bob
Thanks for the input,
I looked at a '94 H33.5, and was impressed with the "largeness" of the boat. I've looked at similar lengths of several other makes and if anything, was left desiring more room. I am fairly convinced the boat I'm looking for would be something between the H35-H37. I am a diver, so the walk through transom and shoal keel are appealing. Being a diver I would appreciate something with accessible storage for equipment and a stable means for egress and ingress, as well as being foul weather friendly. Also, as I'll be maintaining the boat as sole residence, storage is a concern. The H33.5 lacked in interior storage as the stbd settee storage was occupied by an air conditioner. I don't have much, but after food and emergency/operational requirements, I believe I would be at a negative. After preparing for sea, I would like to move around a bit. I haven't had the opportunity to look at anything larger so I have little sense of scale. I admit the a.c. would be "nice," but I'm not sure it's worth the trade for space, regardless of keel length. Your thoughts?
I looked at a '94 H33.5, and was impressed with the "largeness" of the boat. I've looked at similar lengths of several other makes and if anything, was left desiring more room. I am fairly convinced the boat I'm looking for would be something between the H35-H37. I am a diver, so the walk through transom and shoal keel are appealing. Being a diver I would appreciate something with accessible storage for equipment and a stable means for egress and ingress, as well as being foul weather friendly. Also, as I'll be maintaining the boat as sole residence, storage is a concern. The H33.5 lacked in interior storage as the stbd settee storage was occupied by an air conditioner. I don't have much, but after food and emergency/operational requirements, I believe I would be at a negative. After preparing for sea, I would like to move around a bit. I haven't had the opportunity to look at anything larger so I have little sense of scale. I admit the a.c. would be "nice," but I'm not sure it's worth the trade for space, regardless of keel length. Your thoughts?
Tom, you will be amazed at how much more room
you get with a longer boat.(assuming you stick with comparable modern designs, you know, apples/apples). I think that, in the 30' range, six extra feet = double the boat. Whether that doubles other things like cost and crew requirements, that would depend on the boat. But, aren't you having a hell of a lot of fun?
you get with a longer boat.(assuming you stick with comparable modern designs, you know, apples/apples). I think that, in the 30' range, six extra feet = double the boat. Whether that doubles other things like cost and crew requirements, that would depend on the boat. But, aren't you having a hell of a lot of fun?
Diving and newer designs
You might want to look at the newer hunter designs like the 36, 41 or 44 (426). the locker in the cockpit is perfect to store diving gear etc. On my boat I keep a tank and a Brownies secound lung set up to do overboard maintainance with out having to put on a BCD and tank etc. It dosen't even get in the way of several fenders, and a "boat load" of other equipment. I lived on my 426 DS last summer with just my wife and found no problems sailing or docking - but that said it has all of the "helpers" to make it very friendly to manuver short handed. You might want to look at things like autopilot, in mast furling, bow thruster etc. if you want a larger boat to live on - but one you can handle very short handed. Living aboard does have the advantage of purchasing a boat that needs some TLC and doing it while living aboard. You will get to know each of the systems you repair/update better than if you read the manual! HAVE FUN LOOKING, there are many choices out there.
You might want to look at the newer hunter designs like the 36, 41 or 44 (426). the locker in the cockpit is perfect to store diving gear etc. On my boat I keep a tank and a Brownies secound lung set up to do overboard maintainance with out having to put on a BCD and tank etc. It dosen't even get in the way of several fenders, and a "boat load" of other equipment. I lived on my 426 DS last summer with just my wife and found no problems sailing or docking - but that said it has all of the "helpers" to make it very friendly to manuver short handed. You might want to look at things like autopilot, in mast furling, bow thruster etc. if you want a larger boat to live on - but one you can handle very short handed. Living aboard does have the advantage of purchasing a boat that needs some TLC and doing it while living aboard. You will get to know each of the systems you repair/update better than if you read the manual! HAVE FUN LOOKING, there are many choices out there.
- Status