H310 seaworthiness
Don,I too had a 1999 H310, which I traded in last year for a new H36 (CE category A).Since I do coastal Atlantic sailing out of a harbor entrance that the USCG considers pretty near the bottom of the boater friendliness scale, I put a fair amount of effort into addressing exactly the question with which you're concerned.The little 310 had no problem handling 6-foot seas, and I've crossed the Merrimac emtrance bar with her in conditions that frightened-off all the local power boaters (and had the coasties out in their 47-footer turning away non-local boats).However, when I first got her, I was appalled to find that she lacked some very basic seaworthiness features that I corrected and was damned glad I had the first time I was pooped by an 8-foot breaker.She had absolutely no gasketing or latches on any of her cockpit lockers - this would have allowed that wave to downflood into the cabin had I not corrected it.She also had no grab rails along the coach roof. Jacklines and tethers notwithstanding, my wife (rightly) refused to go forward until I installed 6-foot stainless rails on each side. (I also installed lacing through the lifelines to toerail-mounted strapeyes, which added triangular-truss strenghtneing - but that may have been guilding the lilly.)I'd suggest you look your 310 over very carefully and correct such little Hunter shortcuts before taking her on Mother Atlantic. The 310's basic design is fully capable of handling more than (this) owner can, but those little details can certainly ruin your day. Ask someone who has some bluewater experience to go over her with you.