I’ve read a lot of topics on the Hunter 340 not being the “blue Water” cruiser. This part I get and I agree on all accounts. She’s not ! I would not personally select or choose to cross an ocean in her. I was on a Hunter 36 and was caught in some weather 25-30 knots winds unexpectedly. It handled it well as expected of any boat in my opinion. I would like to cross Florida to the Bahamas and possibly a Cuban crossing. Is the 340 capable of handling the unexpected like the 360. I never go out in a window of heavy seas or forecast bad weather but occasionally the unexpected occurs. 25-30 knots as an experienced sailor will the 340 handle as well as the 360 ?
Hunter 340 “ does size matter “
- Thread starter Sand-Ra-Jean
- Start date
Boat can handle it provided the one in command knows when to prudently shorten sail and how to wait in port for a window.. (and has inspected rigging and propulsion systems and rectified any troubles discovered..
I have owned a Hunter 340 for about 8 years now and sailed a Hunter 36 out of Sailtime for a couple years before that. But my experience is limited to a shallow water bay in those boats. I have had both those boats out in 30+ knots and the 36 is more seaworthy than the 340 in my opinion and I would rather be on a 36 in those conditions. It is more a comfort factor than safety, though. A longer waterline takes the waves better. The last half or so of this video from a couple years ago is on a 340 in 20+ knots, apparent wind hit 30 a couple times.
Yes it will, provided:
Following these guidelines I would not hesitate to take a Bahamas trip from south Florida in a H340. Unfortunately, that trip for us would have to start with a long ride on a tractor/trailer.
Welcome aboard the best place to get real information about Hunter sailboats. Can you provide links to where you have read that "the Hunter 340 not being the “blue Water” cruiser"? There is a lot of misinformation, restated BS opinions and Hunter bashing out there in the deep waters of the Internet, but much less among those who actually own and sail these boats.
- As you stated, be an experienced sailor, meaning prudent and cautious in the face of approaching squalls and other adverse conditions
- You reef the main when winds average over 15 knots apparent, when sailing short handed, or after dark
- You carefully pick your weather window for longer passages
- Vessel has been properly maintained, including standing rigging inspections/replacement on a boat of this vintage in salt water
- You recognize that a shoal draft boat with a huge main (like our H340) is tender and will heel more in wind gusts than a deep draft boat with a smaller sail area. But if you are experienced, you know how to deal with that.
Following these guidelines I would not hesitate to take a Bahamas trip from south Florida in a H340. Unfortunately, that trip for us would have to start with a long ride on a tractor/trailer.
Welcome aboard the best place to get real information about Hunter sailboats. Can you provide links to where you have read that "the Hunter 340 not being the “blue Water” cruiser"? There is a lot of misinformation, restated BS opinions and Hunter bashing out there in the deep waters of the Internet, but much less among those who actually own and sail these boats.
I’ve read a lot of topics on the Hunter 340 not being the “blue Water” cruiser. This part I get and I agree on all accounts. She’s not ! I would not personally select or choose to cross an ocean in her. I was on a Hunter 36 and was caught in some weather 25-30 knots winds unexpectedly. It handled it well as expected of any boat in my opinion. I would like to cross Florida to the Bahamas and possibly a Cuban crossing. Is the 340 capable of handling the unexpected like the 360. I never go out in a window of heavy seas or forecast bad weather but occasionally the unexpected occurs. 25-30 knots as an experienced sailor will the 340 handle as well as the 360 ?
From my experience there is a huge difference between wind speed off shore and seaway conditions. The wind inshore tends to be episodic -- what you have is generally driving the seaway. That of course isn't in areas with current conditions that accentuate wave frequency and combinations of directions. Offshore is a different condition -- the same wind speed conditions can produce very different wave patterns. Mixtures of the swell and wind wave patterns, when combined create a very different 25-30 knot experience.
It's in those circumstances I believe that a boat like the Hunter 34 and 36 get tested a bunch. I would think that MOST OF THE TIME, if you pick a decent weather and sea state window, you can get to and from Cuba and the Bahamas without much incident. In both of those situations you're crossing with currents that sometimes get countervailing currents, swell patterns, and winds. The Gulf Stream, for example between Florida and the Bahamas in any significant wind that has a northerly component is going to beat you up. What boat likes being "dropped" off of square 10' waves? As importantly, what crew will enjoy or tolerate that for long?
If the Hunter 34 (or 36) is in good shape, you enjoy sailing it as you do, then I'd not let the notion of a little trip across 100 miles (or so) of ocean change your view of the boat. I'd just make sure, your boat and you are ready and remember: One of the most dangerous objects on a sailboat is a calendar.
From my experience there is a huge difference between wind speed off shore and seaway conditions. The wind inshore tends to be episodic -- what you have is generally driving the seaway. That of course isn't in areas with current conditions that accentuate wave frequency and combinations of directions. Offshore is a different condition -- the same wind speed conditions can produce very different wave patterns. Mixtures of the swell and wind wave patterns, when combined create a very different 25-30 knot experience.
It's in those circumstances I believe that a boat like the Hunter 34 and 36 get tested a bunch. I would think that MOST OF THE TIME, if you pick a decent weather and sea state window, you can get to and from Cuba and the Bahamas without much incident. In both of those situations you're crossing with currents that sometimes get countervailing currents, swell patterns, and winds. The Gulf Stream, for example between Florida and the Bahamas in any significant wind that has a northerly component is going to beat you up. What boat likes being "dropped" off of square 10' waves? As importantly, what crew will enjoy or tolerate that for long?
If the Hunter 34 (or 36) is in good shape, you enjoy sailing it as you do, then I'd not let the notion of a little trip across 100 miles (or so) of ocean change your view of the boat. I'd just make sure, your boat and you are ready and remember: One of the most dangerous objects on a sailboat is a calendar.
We have been to the Bahamas on our h320 in various conditions with no problems. We have been caught 4 or 5 times in winds in excess of 45 knots. The h340 and the h360 , none of these boats is a blue water boat, the cockpits are too large, the portholes and hatches are large and not strong, fresh water tanks and fuel tanks are too small and the shape of the hulls is not conducive to the comfortable motion of a blue water cruiser but all of them are adequate short passage makers. They can be sailed to the Bahamas and down the Islands chain to the Caribbean. When considering offshore foul weather capabilities the abilities of the captain are more important than the size of the boat. (within reason as size matters).
There are many things to consider but on the H340 the aft storage locker on the scoop transom opens directly into the bilge. If that cover ever comes open, loose or is lost in a following sea the boat will flood.
Agreed JohnT. Rubber latch and gaskets on that hatch cover would be another good thing to check. All part of normal maintenance on any 15-20 year old boat.