i dont auctally have a hunter 40 yet but im close ive looked at a couple but not got serious enough for a offer or survey and this probbley makes me certifiable but i know absolutely nothing about sailing whats worse ive only been on a boat once but i have to have this boat ive always loved sail boats any thought they were one of mankinds most graceful creations i think the hunter 40 is the most beautiful sailing boat ever made so what my question is is the hunter 40 a good sail boat how strong is the hull construction is this just a bay cruiser or can it go out into the open sea it is a fiberglass boat the one im looking at is almost 15 years old is 80,000 too mutch all input is appreciated thanks tony
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Tony, IMHO the 40.5 hull construction...
will stand up to the rigors of blue water sailing. I also think it is one of Hunter's better aft cockpit designs. Whether it is worth $80K is another matter. Condition, equipment, systems, etc., all play a factor in determining the value. The bottom line, is it worth $80K to you? We shopped, asked lots of questions, compared models and looked at loads of boats by different makers before we decided on our current boat. Then we placed an offer on the table, well below the owner's asking price. That was four years ago and still no regrets. BTW, be sure to hire a good marine surveyor who can look for and point out any hull integrity issues. Make the surveyor's report a condition of the sale. Terry
will stand up to the rigors of blue water sailing. I also think it is one of Hunter's better aft cockpit designs. Whether it is worth $80K is another matter. Condition, equipment, systems, etc., all play a factor in determining the value. The bottom line, is it worth $80K to you? We shopped, asked lots of questions, compared models and looked at loads of boats by different makers before we decided on our current boat. Then we placed an offer on the table, well below the owner's asking price. That was four years ago and still no regrets. BTW, be sure to hire a good marine surveyor who can look for and point out any hull integrity issues. Make the surveyor's report a condition of the sale. Terry
I'd Buy The Hunter 40 Again
I have had my Hunter 40 for 5 years, it's a 1987, the previous owner didnt take as good of care of her as he should have, but I have. Just because it may have some age, unless there is something wrong with the glass work, or it has been damaged, nothing wrong with 15 year old fiberglass. Dont think age on a boat, think condition. If you feel uncomfortable, get a really good surveyor to go over it with a fine toothed comb. She does seem to want to get into a heel quickly, but she is very easy to single handle, get in and out of the slip, or pulling up to get diesal or to empty the holding tanks can be a challenge for one person. Also, one thing to consider, an older boat, should roughly be a car payment, but plan on spending a few dollars to get her where you want her to be, I've been working on mine for 5 years, but the hard work is showing, and I've gotten some really nice compliments on it too. But get one in sound shape and nothing structurally wrong, you'll be fine.
I have had my Hunter 40 for 5 years, it's a 1987, the previous owner didnt take as good of care of her as he should have, but I have. Just because it may have some age, unless there is something wrong with the glass work, or it has been damaged, nothing wrong with 15 year old fiberglass. Dont think age on a boat, think condition. If you feel uncomfortable, get a really good surveyor to go over it with a fine toothed comb. She does seem to want to get into a heel quickly, but she is very easy to single handle, get in and out of the slip, or pulling up to get diesal or to empty the holding tanks can be a challenge for one person. Also, one thing to consider, an older boat, should roughly be a car payment, but plan on spending a few dollars to get her where you want her to be, I've been working on mine for 5 years, but the hard work is showing, and I've gotten some really nice compliments on it too. But get one in sound shape and nothing structurally wrong, you'll be fine.
Hunters
I have a 9 yr old 376. I love it. I looked at a couple of 40s (88 and 86) and thought about it but they just seemed to be in too bad of condition. From what I understand, the difference between these two boats are the hull speed and aft cabin. Other then that, they are much the same. I like mine and have taken her out a couple dozen miles off shore and plan on doing much more of it. I bought mine before I knew of the "production boats are weak" rumors. Once I heard that, I started asking a question and haven't gotten any real stories of them not being strong enough, so I will have to say they are rumors. I will admit that other boats are made stronger, but that doesn't mean hunters aren't safe. The main difference between blue water and green or brown water is that when in blue water and a storm or gale comes, you can't run to a dock to wait it out and of course, when things happen, it takes a lot longer to get help if you can reach anybody at all. Many times one doesn't even have time to get off a mayday call. Some people are volvo drivers and you will not see them buy a hunter. Others who believe a lot of safty will buy a hunter but not take it into blue water. Others like me don't see a problem with it. My saying is that if they aren't blue water capable with using a little common sense, then there would be lots of documented stories of the boat failing at sea or crew and boat not making the destination. I've yet to see that. As for how they are built, there was an article on here about a writer who went and visited the factory. I read it and felt a little better about my boat, however, the one thing that does bother me is that the mast is not put on by the factory. Now mine seems to have been put on right and I would say most will be, but the more PEOPLE you have doing the work, the more chance that somebody is going to get it wrong. So, if you do decide to take a hunter into blue water, just make sure you have contengincy plans. What to do if the mast comes off? What to do if the rudder comes off? What to do if you experience a bad leak like a broken hatch in heavy waves? What to do if approached by a heavy storm that you can't safely sail in? I've been doing a lot of reading the past 6 months and have learned a lot from these guys and my readings and someday I will be ready to take my boat out there into blue water. But as most say, your boat, whatever it is, will mostlikely be able to handle a lot more then you can. Lots of boats are abandoned at sea only to find that the boat survives and somebody else gets it (Salvaged). Summary: In my opinion, which isn't shared by the majority of sailors at my dock, believe hunters CAN cross oceans, BUT that doesn't mean you will not have problems. Most problems can be avoided with common sense and a great checklist of things to take and things to check before departure. Many people though buy hunters because they don't plan on crossing oceans and they know it's stupid to buy a big heavy boat for day sailing. Welcome to sailing and enjoy. Sunday was one of the best days of sailing I've ever had. It was peace on earth.
I have a 9 yr old 376. I love it. I looked at a couple of 40s (88 and 86) and thought about it but they just seemed to be in too bad of condition. From what I understand, the difference between these two boats are the hull speed and aft cabin. Other then that, they are much the same. I like mine and have taken her out a couple dozen miles off shore and plan on doing much more of it. I bought mine before I knew of the "production boats are weak" rumors. Once I heard that, I started asking a question and haven't gotten any real stories of them not being strong enough, so I will have to say they are rumors. I will admit that other boats are made stronger, but that doesn't mean hunters aren't safe. The main difference between blue water and green or brown water is that when in blue water and a storm or gale comes, you can't run to a dock to wait it out and of course, when things happen, it takes a lot longer to get help if you can reach anybody at all. Many times one doesn't even have time to get off a mayday call. Some people are volvo drivers and you will not see them buy a hunter. Others who believe a lot of safty will buy a hunter but not take it into blue water. Others like me don't see a problem with it. My saying is that if they aren't blue water capable with using a little common sense, then there would be lots of documented stories of the boat failing at sea or crew and boat not making the destination. I've yet to see that. As for how they are built, there was an article on here about a writer who went and visited the factory. I read it and felt a little better about my boat, however, the one thing that does bother me is that the mast is not put on by the factory. Now mine seems to have been put on right and I would say most will be, but the more PEOPLE you have doing the work, the more chance that somebody is going to get it wrong. So, if you do decide to take a hunter into blue water, just make sure you have contengincy plans. What to do if the mast comes off? What to do if the rudder comes off? What to do if you experience a bad leak like a broken hatch in heavy waves? What to do if approached by a heavy storm that you can't safely sail in? I've been doing a lot of reading the past 6 months and have learned a lot from these guys and my readings and someday I will be ready to take my boat out there into blue water. But as most say, your boat, whatever it is, will mostlikely be able to handle a lot more then you can. Lots of boats are abandoned at sea only to find that the boat survives and somebody else gets it (Salvaged). Summary: In my opinion, which isn't shared by the majority of sailors at my dock, believe hunters CAN cross oceans, BUT that doesn't mean you will not have problems. Most problems can be avoided with common sense and a great checklist of things to take and things to check before departure. Many people though buy hunters because they don't plan on crossing oceans and they know it's stupid to buy a big heavy boat for day sailing. Welcome to sailing and enjoy. Sunday was one of the best days of sailing I've ever had. It was peace on earth.
thanks for that advice
so franklin what do you consider a blue water boat and how much would a guy have to spend to get a 40ft of that variety also you mean there's yachts out there just floating abandoned wow maybe i should just fly my cessna over the atlantic to find my new boat !
so franklin what do you consider a blue water boat and how much would a guy have to spend to get a 40ft of that variety also you mean there's yachts out there just floating abandoned wow maybe i should just fly my cessna over the atlantic to find my new boat !
Tony
Even if there was one out there now, then the amount of time, gas and equipment it would take to find one would be kind of expensive. Dont' get me wrong...these things don't happen every day, but they do happen. What do I consider a blue water boat? I'm not the guy to ask that question. I THINK my h376 is capable of crossing oceans but I know it wasn't designed for that. I think you should re-read my last post. There are a lot of variables involved when it comes to a boat and size usually isn't the #1 factor (many cruisers sail a boat in the 20s and 30s). How you sail I think is the #1 factor (and example is how much weather helm you usually sail with...in rough weather and you have a lot of weather helm, that can cause a lot of pressure on the rudder). What you need on your cruise is another big factor like how much water do you use a day? How much fuel will you need? Some think top of the line strength of the hull, rudder, keel, and mast are also something to look for in a blue water boat. It can't hurt, except to make the boat heavier, but is it needed...I don't know. My boat only has a 75 gallon water tank and a 35 gallon fuel tank. The boats that are made with crossing oceans in mind would have about 200+ gallons of water and 75+ gallons of fuel space. Many aren't fin keeled and are much heavier, therefore can handle the rough weather better. The downside is that it takes more wind to get them going. If crossing oceans is something you feel you have to do, then maybe a hunter isn't for you. That's up to you. I plan on taking mine some day, but I've always loved risky adventures too.
Even if there was one out there now, then the amount of time, gas and equipment it would take to find one would be kind of expensive. Dont' get me wrong...these things don't happen every day, but they do happen. What do I consider a blue water boat? I'm not the guy to ask that question. I THINK my h376 is capable of crossing oceans but I know it wasn't designed for that. I think you should re-read my last post. There are a lot of variables involved when it comes to a boat and size usually isn't the #1 factor (many cruisers sail a boat in the 20s and 30s). How you sail I think is the #1 factor (and example is how much weather helm you usually sail with...in rough weather and you have a lot of weather helm, that can cause a lot of pressure on the rudder). What you need on your cruise is another big factor like how much water do you use a day? How much fuel will you need? Some think top of the line strength of the hull, rudder, keel, and mast are also something to look for in a blue water boat. It can't hurt, except to make the boat heavier, but is it needed...I don't know. My boat only has a 75 gallon water tank and a 35 gallon fuel tank. The boats that are made with crossing oceans in mind would have about 200+ gallons of water and 75+ gallons of fuel space. Many aren't fin keeled and are much heavier, therefore can handle the rough weather better. The downside is that it takes more wind to get them going. If crossing oceans is something you feel you have to do, then maybe a hunter isn't for you. That's up to you. I plan on taking mine some day, but I've always loved risky adventures too.
oh yeah
Here (http://www.ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vtopic&forum=2) is a link to a forum that talks about types of boats. You will see a lot of bashing of hunters and other production boats there. You will also see other boats that they talk about that they feel are blue water boats. Check it out.
Here (http://www.ssca.org/sscabb/index.php?action=vtopic&forum=2) is a link to a forum that talks about types of boats. You will see a lot of bashing of hunters and other production boats there. You will also see other boats that they talk about that they feel are blue water boats. Check it out.
wow a lot of info out there
thanks for all your help ill probbley end up with the hunter as looks are whats most important for now and im so new to sailing i dont think ill be going to monaco anytime soon
thanks for all your help ill probbley end up with the hunter as looks are whats most important for now and im so new to sailing i dont think ill be going to monaco anytime soon
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