how seaworthy

KD3PC · Nov 11, 2012

coastal sailing and just you?

I would save the money you will spend in changing boats and head this way on your Cat. Nothing wrong with her to do what you want. The added length will result in added $$ more slippage, painting, etc.

Years back I lived on a Cal 25, no one in their right mind would admit to doing that today. But it was just fine for me, and I had a ball.

Go for it now.

seadaddler · Nov 11, 2012

Go

My friends did spend a month or 2 on a 27 cal over from Fl. to Bahama but sold it for bigger for more room for 2 people but if 1 person it's great.
Bigger is better off shore for sure but will cost more but so many places to anchor out and save $$$$$.
I sold my 290 Hunter for a bigger newer 36 Hunter and love the handling and extra room for us and all the newer added newer options like inmast and AC and inverter and Gen makes my wife enjoy boating so much better.
You could take your 27 and while traveling down south see how it is for you and check out all the sailboats for sale along the way and maybe find a real good deal.
Nick

heritage · Nov 11, 2012

You are much more likely to find a boat suitable for Florida/Bahamas sailing in Florida, rather than Ontario. You are going to want one with shallow draft, 5' or less, 6' would work but would restrict you from some docks and anchorages. Strong dodger and a bimini. Awning for the cockpit and wind scoop for the forward hatch. Bug screens. Solar panels and a wind generator. Electric windlass with a deep anchor rode locker. Large water tanks or a water maker. If you plan on staying in a marina for any length of time, an a/c unit.

There are many boats in south Fl. for sale that are already rigged for the tropics. I would recommend a visit to the St. Pete, Ft Myers area and check it out yourself before buying a larger Hunter in Ontario.

kloudie1 · Nov 11, 2012

'course, I am biased since I've owned a 34 (not Vision) for over 20 years.. but it is plenty seaworthy and plenty comfortable.. Lots of opening ports for air.. A shoal draft boat would be better in the Bahamas, but standard draft is OK too.. If you are going to be in marinas a lot, an air conditioner will be required if you plan to live aboard.. if anchoring out, a wind scoop type ventilator is fine .. Can be done in the 27, but you'll be a lot more comfortable in the 34.. Curious, there was not a Vision 34, so is your potential boat a Vision of a different size, or is it a 34 from the '83-86 time?

onecoolair · Nov 11, 2012

heritage said:
You are much more likely to find a boat suitable for Florida/Bahamas sailing in Florida, rather than Ontario. You are going to want one with shallow draft, 5' or less, 6' would work but would restrict you from some docks and anchorages. Strong dodger and a bimini. Awning for the cockpit and wind scoop for the forward hatch. Bug screens. Solar panels and a wind generator. Electric windlass with a deep anchor rode locker. Large water tanks or a water maker. If you plan on staying in a marina for any length of time, an a/c unit.

There are many boats in south Fl. for sale that are already rigged for the tropics. I would recommend a visit to the St. Pete, Ft Myers area and check it out yourself before buying a larger Hunter in Ontario.

For extended living aboard consider looking into going up to at least something in the 40 foot range. A properly set up 42 can just as easily be able to be single handed as 30 footer. And you will have more room for all cruising equipment you may want to have. Not only more room but the electronics as well as other cruising gear solar panels wind generator etc cost will still be the same. The extra cost difference I see would be slip rental and an extra gallon of paint for bottom jobs.

Benny17441 · Nov 11, 2012

The Vision models only came in 32' and 36' so check the documentation and Hull# of the boat you may intend to purchase. If I were undertaking a 3-5 year cruise I would definitely would upgrade to at least a 34' for comfort as well as safety.

Dan Johnson · Nov 12, 2012

Concur with Kloudie...

Some H34's have crossed the Atlantic, the Carribean, and the Pacific. The boat is solid and faults well documented. Prepare it for off-shore as you would any other boat as the sea & Mother Nature aren't known for kindness to the unprepared.

Barnacle Bill · Nov 12, 2012

One thing no one mentioned is that bigger boats also have more water storage, more fuel storage (can motor farther between fill ups when there is no wind), more space for your stuff, etc. I have sailed in the Bahamas with a 6.5' draft and it was fine for most everything I did, but shallower is better as you can get into some places without waiting for high tide.

Barnacle Bill · Nov 12, 2012

Ah, and you mentioned, "Seaworthy". Gulf stream crossings and sailing in open water can be tough on you and your vessel. The best thing to do is watch for the weather windows so you don't get caught in situations that might challenge your skills, gut and boat's ability to stay safe. Boats have classificatons of safety called "Design Categories". Category A: is Ocean - designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed wind force 8 on the Beaufort Scale with significant wave heights of 4 m (12') and above and vessels largely self sufficient. Category B: is Offshore - designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including, wind force 8 and significant waveheights up to, and including, 4 m may be experienced. Category C: is Inshore - designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers where conditions up to, and including, wind force 6 and significant wave hights up to and including 2 m may be experienced. Category D is Sheltered Waters - designed for voyages on small lakes, rivers and canals where conditins up to and including wind force 4 and significant wave heights up to and including 0.5 m may be experienced.
There is a lot more info out there you can query concerning maximum loads for boat and gear and weight estimations for such gear and boat. A boat that is about 11,000 lbs is considered "light" and minimally acceptable.
Boats that are better equiped for off shore use have superior construction and hull to deck and keel construction, lifelines and railings that are adequate for heavier loads, windows that are not too big and can withstand crushing waves, a higher bridge deck instead of a companionway that is only inches off of a cockpit floor, scuppers large enough to ship water out of a flooded cockpit quickly, good and strong companionway drop boards, which should be in place during extreme conditions, an engine powerful enough for extreme conditions, to name a few. Deck hardware for safety purposes are other things you need to think about, espcially if single handling. That's my 2 cents.

Jimmy P · Nov 12, 2012

How seaworthy?

fido said:
good day sailors

lost my job sold my house, presently sail a Catalina 27, in fresh water, looking to upgrade to a hunter 34 or bigger, planning a trip down the coast to Florida from Canada to the Bahamas, how sea worthy is the hunter34 vision, boat looks good and has shaped up well on inspect, planning on at least 3 to 5 years for the trip, any advice would be great

thanks Steve

Steve,

I sail my Hunter 33 every year from St. Augustine to the Keys, outside. Your Hunter 34 is excellent for Florida and the Bahamas. With plenty of on-board space, depending on your crew size, your greater concern is draft. A midsize keel boat with a 4'6" draft will get you most anywhere in the Keys. A buddy of mine just took his H33 from Key Largo to Cat Cay at the Bahama Bank. He then crossed the Bahama Bank from Cat Cay to the Berry Island chain to Chub Harbor. He said the water was deep enough and his draft was no problem (I always thought you always had to sail around Bimini into Providence Channel to get to the Berry's).
There are several spots in the ICW that are about 7' deep and when you hit the middle Keys, if you stay in the ditch, it get about 5'. The short answer here, like some others suggested, is your 34 is great for all of Florida and the Bahamas, inside, outside or crossing the Straits. Good luck!