looking for info. on Hunter Passage 420

La Scandell · Mar 9, 2012

Hi Blair

I might be able to help, we have owned one for a few years ( a 1997 model)

Buck420 · Mar 9, 2012

blair said:
I am considering purchasing one of these boats, and can't seem to find much on the Internet about them.
I was looking for some sort of forum or group.
The Yahoo group was all spam.
I would appreciate any and all constructive advice.

thanks

blair

Hi Blair,

In 2001, I purchased, commissioned, and continue to own a H420.
After 11 seasons, and thousands of miles, I love the boat as much today as when it was new.
Having said that, I think you will find that the owners of most Hunters
of almost all sizes will say the same.
All boats have their pluses and minuses. If your preference is a roomy, center cockpit cruising sailboat that can take you anywhere; then any of the larger Hunters will be an excellent choice.
This site has a tremendous amount of material on these boats in the archives as well as in "Boat Info".

Steve Dion · Mar 9, 2012

Blair:

Go to this location find the model that you are looking for and then click Owners Reviews.

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_bengine&Itemid=248

eianm · Mar 9, 2012

we have owned our 1991 H42 for about 2 years and we LOVE it- cant imagine a better sail boat! The series 1 H42 boats- IMHO offer a much stronger build and quality level- but each to his own. I have spent a lot of money on ours updating and now it is the envy of many NEW sailboat owners on our marina. Move forth and enjoy!

captainpat · Mar 10, 2012

The 420 brochure for 2002 is available on line at www.huntermarine.com Look for drop down menu OUR FLEET; Previous Models; 40-49 feet. The download will be .PDF format

Buck420 · Mar 10, 2012

blair said:
i read quite a bit of what was on this site regarding a 420.
does anyone know where i can read about this production run?
i'm trying to find out the differences through the years.

thanks

blair

Aside from a few cosmetic changes such as improvements in the entertainment electronics ( ie, flat screen TV and Bose), I don't know of any significant changes in the 420 during its approx 5 year production run.
(The location of the generator WAS moved from one of the aft lockers to a position inside the boat over the engine after the 1999 production year)
My 2000 brochure is virtually identical to the 2002 brochure shown on the Hunter web site.

eianm · Mar 10, 2012

the series 1 was known as Passage 42- the later series known as 420- there are quite a few differences- its worth getting to understand these - after I did , I specifically went looking for and bought a series 1~

eianm · Mar 11, 2012

Hunter customer service is pretty good- give them an email or a call- they should be able to help. I think the series 1 asssage 42 started in 1990 and ran through to around '94>95, then came the series 2 that ran with few changes until about 2005 i think

Buck420 · Mar 12, 2012

blair said:
eianm,

ok, thanks.

would you mind telling me why you went with a series 1?

blair

Blair,

There was never any "Series 1, Series2" ....
Per the information in this sites "Boat Info" ,
Hunter built a "Passage 42" from ~ 1990-1997.
In 1998 (or so) they ceased production of that model and began producing the "Passage 420" (from ~ 1998-9 - 2003-4).
The two boat are of similar size and layout, but have different hulls, rigs, etc.
About 1998, Hunter began an ambitious offering of new model boats...
the H-410 & H420 were new models that had the same hull, rig, engines,etc... the 410 was the aft cockpit version; the 420 was the center cockpit version.
The same was true with the H-460 & H450.... (which, w/ minor changes, became the H-456-466.)

The older Hunter 42 was a different hull than the newer H420. They were several thousand pounds heaver than the 420, had a mast head rig, and other differences.
Some feel that because of these differences they are more seaworthy, etc.
"To each, his own"
In any case, many of the larger Hunter models, of EVERY model type have circumnavigated, and otherwise done ocean crossings. And, IMHO,
all are good, seaworthy, sailboats

eianm · Mar 12, 2012

it was a very personal thing- I simply felt that the earlier boats offered a higher level of quality in fixtures and fitttings- it also had a better"FEEL" to me- I looked at 8 different 42/420's before I ended up choosing and buying the oldest boat I looked at - this really worried me at first, but then i spoke with a broker who ehoed my feelings about build quality, BUT , absolutley - each to his own!

Bouchsail · Mar 31, 2012

The guy I bought my Passage 42 from put a comparison together to promote the sale of the boat. The main points that swayed us toward the P42 is that it has 4000 lbs. more displacement and is a bit less tender than the 420. But, the biggest reason we went with a 1996 P42 is that Hunter changed suppliers for a while on the rudder and have had numerous failures on the newer boats. I personally know two owners, one 420 and one 450, that had the rudder fall off while under way. Both were here in the Caribbean. We live on our boat 6 months per year in the Caribbean and would be happy to answer specific questions.

randyborys · Apr 1, 2012

Have a 420 in Wisconsin

blair said:
I am considering purchasing one of these boats, and can't seem to find much on the Internet about them.
I was looking for some sort of forum or group.
The Yahoo group was all spam.
I would appreciate any and all constructive advice.

thanks

blair

I've owned a 2002 420 since 2007. Have lived aboard full time 2.5 years and are now cruising in the Great Lakes living aboard summers. Started in Florida where we bought her. I've been absolutely happy with her, just my wife and I sailing. She's well maintained and I've had no complaints, tjust the usual maintenance and repairs. You can check her out at harveyyachtsales.com. She is for sale.