Hunter 31 - adequate for coastal cruising?

Steve Dion · May 12, 2010

Coastal Cruising, Yes!

Panama, No!

Alaska, No!

If the weather was always on your side, it will make these passages, but may not be the most comfortable.

The problem is the weather is NOT always going to be on your side and the west coast has long distances without a safe port.

I had a 1985 H'31 (20 years). Loved the boat but I would not consider any of these longer passages with that boat.

We had a member that had a similar year Hunter 34 that went across the Atlantic more than once, but I would not select that boat either.

Steve Dion · May 13, 2010

Nick:

There are many boats out there, but you really need to decide if you are going to make those passages or not. It is a lot of work and preping a vessel can also be a task.

There is a Hunter 37C in our harbor that you should take a look at. It was in Mexico for several years and would be an excellent starting platform for what you are looking at doing. If you never do it, you would probably not be disappointed with your investment. They are "asking" about $35k.

I have NO idea what condition the boat is in. It "looks" okay on the exterior, but needs some work.

stephen Penny · May 13, 2010

I purchased a 1987 Hunter 31 last November and updated her for coastal sailing. This includes new blue water sails, extra anchor and rode, handheld/waterproof/potable and cabin vhf/gps radio, chartplotter/gps, radar, ac to dc power inverter, independent kerosene cabin heater, life and jack lines, automatic life vests for all the crew, updated emergency flares and U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Please consider these as a minimum. What are your minimum requirements?

Keith13315 · May 14, 2010

I have one and we boat in Lake Michigan one of the Great lakes that Ted Turner said was for pussys until he sailed the MAC and had shit scared out of him. We get some pretty rought weather the period of the waves is much shorter thus more pounding etc. Anyway to answer your question. I feel the boat will handle more that I want to and it has proven to be reliable ( we take good care of it) and safe in what the weather has thrown at us. As far as safe to MXor other off shore adventures I can not comment except it is too small as far comfort and storage so Coastal short trips is what I say it is very good for. We spend weeks on her but like I said not alot of storage. Great starter boat we started smaller and of course I would like to move up.
My 2 cents Keith

TR6 · May 17, 2010

Interestingly, the guy I bought my 86 H31 from had kitted it up to leave from Seattle to go to Mexico but a marital split up sorted that plan out. I would trust the boat but size matters. Also I would probably go for something less tender. A buddy is currently in Malaysia from Vancouver BC in a Cal 29 so will the boat handle the conditions, yes I would say so but like my buddy you would need to be aware of the weathher. As for Alaska, once you're inside Vancouver island, its not going to get too nasty going north other than the stretch between Van Isle and the Queen Charlottes as its protected. I'd say the fresh water capacity is the main drawback. Just my thoughts operating up here.

Hunter 31 - adequate for coastal cruising?

NickH

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Steve Dion

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NickH

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Steve Dion

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stephen Penny

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Keith13315

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TR6

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