I am looking to buy a keel boat. I have been in "dinghies" all my life, own a Flying Scot. My husband and I are 58, 60, and mostly want a boat that is stable, but lively, easy to handle, and fairly simple to care for, since we are still working. We sail out of Ephraim, Wisconsin, and will mostly day or evening sail, but may go on long weekends to Fayette, Escanaba, or Washington Island. I love sailing, and want something responsive. My brother has a Beneteau 38 and I like it, but when I sail with him, he does all the work, I just sail. My husband is willing to join me more now, but I don't want to work him to death. But I don't want something that easily broaches or is too tender on the great lakes. I have a chance at a Hunter30. Does anyone have any experience they can share with me, good or bad? Thanks.
How does a Hunter sail
- Thread starter christine15254
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hunter 30
I have a 1979 hunter 30 and truly love the way she sails. in a 20 mph wind with a 110 head sail she sails pretty flat on her feet with littlle heeling. The salon is quite roomy with her 10 ft beam and 6'2" head room.The cock pit is a bit cramped if your entertaining but all in all she a great boat and built solid. The weather here on Mobile bay can be challenging at times with winds upto 30 mph but the boat handles it great and sails dry. Check out what others are saying here in owners reviews. Have heard of live aboards because of the ample storage for a single live aboard. also check out www.yachtworld.com for prices and photo's. you can find photos and info on my H-30 here www.gulftel.com.charlesc
I have a 1979 hunter 30 and truly love the way she sails. in a 20 mph wind with a 110 head sail she sails pretty flat on her feet with littlle heeling. The salon is quite roomy with her 10 ft beam and 6'2" head room.The cock pit is a bit cramped if your entertaining but all in all she a great boat and built solid. The weather here on Mobile bay can be challenging at times with winds upto 30 mph but the boat handles it great and sails dry. Check out what others are saying here in owners reviews. Have heard of live aboards because of the ample storage for a single live aboard. also check out www.yachtworld.com for prices and photo's. you can find photos and info on my H-30 here www.gulftel.com.charlesc
When we decided to get into sailing in 1998...
we shopped around looking at many boat models and found an H28 as a great starter boat. Cruised her for three wonderful years; nice boat. Then we decided to step up to one that was more comfortable. Again we looked at several models and sizes, but kept coming back to the hunter brand. They just seem to do a better job on fit, finish, layout and comfort. I wanted to get a 40.5, but then we stepped aboard a Passage 42 and the admiral said if we're going to get a bigger boat, this is the one I want. Okay! We've sailed Belle-Vie for five years, one of Hunter's better designs, IMHO. She is very easy to solo, stiff, fast and very comfortable. So far we've completed three two month cruises in PNW waters and I'm hoping that we can do a six monther next year. I'm 64 and intend to keep sailing into my 70s. This is the boat that we can do it in. Terry
we shopped around looking at many boat models and found an H28 as a great starter boat. Cruised her for three wonderful years; nice boat. Then we decided to step up to one that was more comfortable. Again we looked at several models and sizes, but kept coming back to the hunter brand. They just seem to do a better job on fit, finish, layout and comfort. I wanted to get a 40.5, but then we stepped aboard a Passage 42 and the admiral said if we're going to get a bigger boat, this is the one I want. Okay! We've sailed Belle-Vie for five years, one of Hunter's better designs, IMHO. She is very easy to solo, stiff, fast and very comfortable. So far we've completed three two month cruises in PNW waters and I'm hoping that we can do a six monther next year. I'm 64 and intend to keep sailing into my 70s. This is the boat that we can do it in. Terry
H30
I have a 1984 H30 in Oconto, WI. I have sailed all over Green Bay and into Lake Michigan. My girlfriend and 2 kids recently sailed to Door County for 5 days over the 4th of July. We were caught in a couple of storms and had no problems with the boat holding it's own.(the kids on the otherhand...) My hunter 30 is stable and trustworthy and I would recomend one to anyone. I'm not sure about the newer models, since I've only been on them at boat shows, but they seem like well built boats and have some really great amenities. good luck on your search. Dave
I have a 1984 H30 in Oconto, WI. I have sailed all over Green Bay and into Lake Michigan. My girlfriend and 2 kids recently sailed to Door County for 5 days over the 4th of July. We were caught in a couple of storms and had no problems with the boat holding it's own.(the kids on the otherhand...) My hunter 30 is stable and trustworthy and I would recomend one to anyone. I'm not sure about the newer models, since I've only been on them at boat shows, but they seem like well built boats and have some really great amenities. good luck on your search. Dave
You need to specify the year
The early H30s (75-84?) were a Cherubini design and probably have sailing characteristics which are different from the newer ones. Go to the Boat Info section and you will find many owner reviews of these models.
The early H30s (75-84?) were a Cherubini design and probably have sailing characteristics which are different from the newer ones. Go to the Boat Info section and you will find many owner reviews of these models.
It depends, of course
We were almost exactly your ages when we bought our 1979 Hunter 37 cutter five years ago. We were looking for a 30 foot bay boat (SF Bay that is) but found we could easily handle the 37, and it can be single-handed (see the archives) without strain thanks to the cutter rig (smaller, but more, sails). Les is correct that more modern boats tend to be lighter and livelier. That also translates into a bit tender for the conditions we encounter, so I like the heavier keel stability, the interior design, and the ease of moving around the deck. Plus we do hull speed in anything over 15 knots. We sailed both Catalina and Hunter 30s in our sailing club, and both have their good points. We also chartered a 34 Catalina and a 31 Island Packet, both nice boats for a couple and easy to handle. An older 34 might fit the bill for you. I dunno anything about the specific boats for sale mentioned above, and any old boat needs a good survey, but you could probably talk one of those fellas into a ride to check it out. Lots of good choices. Have fun with the search. The archives should help. Sanders s/v Good News
We were almost exactly your ages when we bought our 1979 Hunter 37 cutter five years ago. We were looking for a 30 foot bay boat (SF Bay that is) but found we could easily handle the 37, and it can be single-handed (see the archives) without strain thanks to the cutter rig (smaller, but more, sails). Les is correct that more modern boats tend to be lighter and livelier. That also translates into a bit tender for the conditions we encounter, so I like the heavier keel stability, the interior design, and the ease of moving around the deck. Plus we do hull speed in anything over 15 knots. We sailed both Catalina and Hunter 30s in our sailing club, and both have their good points. We also chartered a 34 Catalina and a 31 Island Packet, both nice boats for a couple and easy to handle. An older 34 might fit the bill for you. I dunno anything about the specific boats for sale mentioned above, and any old boat needs a good survey, but you could probably talk one of those fellas into a ride to check it out. Lots of good choices. Have fun with the search. The archives should help. Sanders s/v Good News
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