OK. I'm stepping up to the "big guys" forum here. have been on the mid-size forum for quite some time. I'm sure you folks will be as helpful here at BB as the MB folks have been. The question: I presently own a '92 H28. And have been severely been bitten by 2'-itis. OK. Maybe a little more than 2'.Size matters as I'm sailing more with friends, have grandchildren, spending more overnight time on the boat, etc. I'm considering NEW H340 versus Jenneau Sun Oddesy 34.2 versus Catalina 34 Mark II. Similarily equipped all three boats are competitively priced. I'm a relatively new but considered mature and thoughtful sailor. sailing mainly Lake Michigan out of Milwaukee. I'd appreciate and comments on the relative benefits of these three comparisons. Also, making the move from 28' to 34' am I biting off a little more than I can chew.??? I've been extremely happy with the Hunter and certainly brand loyalty plays here. Thanks in advance for any imput.
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Marc Honey
5 ft. at a time
5ft. step-up at a time is relatively easy from what I've been told and what I plan to do myself from my 28.5.Again, from what I've heard from friends and read on this site, I don't believe you'll have any problems moving up to a 340. It all goes back to the equipment involved...auto helm, roller furling, anchor windless, larger diesel, etc.
5ft. step-up at a time is relatively easy from what I've been told and what I plan to do myself from my 28.5.Again, from what I've heard from friends and read on this site, I don't believe you'll have any problems moving up to a 340. It all goes back to the equipment involved...auto helm, roller furling, anchor windless, larger diesel, etc.
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Richard Skipworth
This or that
Frank, I have sailed on Catalina's and Hunters, and though I own Hunter, I feel that Catalina packs more boat per foot. I own a H34 and my friends Catalina 30 has more cockpit space and just as much saloon room as I do. If room is a large (no pun intended) consideration, I would opt for the Catalina. As far as moving up to a 34, I really feel it comes down to personal confidence / comfort. My 34 is the first boat I have owned, but I felt very comfortable with this size after crewing on 29's, 30's and 38's for the past 5 years. Good Luck!! Skip
Frank, I have sailed on Catalina's and Hunters, and though I own Hunter, I feel that Catalina packs more boat per foot. I own a H34 and my friends Catalina 30 has more cockpit space and just as much saloon room as I do. If room is a large (no pun intended) consideration, I would opt for the Catalina. As far as moving up to a 34, I really feel it comes down to personal confidence / comfort. My 34 is the first boat I have owned, but I felt very comfortable with this size after crewing on 29's, 30's and 38's for the past 5 years. Good Luck!! Skip
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Guest
Stepping Up...
I've only had 2 sailboats (so far). My first boat was a Hunter 30(figured I would get a BIG boat so I wouldn't have to go the step up route). Had the 30 for 5 years, liked it and started thinking 'boy, boat sails well, if only it was a little bigger, that would be great'. We sold her and moved to a Legend 37. When we arrived at the dock looked down at this boat, I admit I thought ' maybe we bit off a little too much'. Not so... you really grow into the new boat. We were a lot more careful/cautious and things worked out OK. I don't think I will go any bigger. Not that I don't think I can handle it, but I REALLY can't justify the bucks for the sailing we do. As for the boats you're considering, go with the one that appeals to you. It'll be a lot easier when te time comes to shell out the bucks for repairs, add-ons, etc...
I've only had 2 sailboats (so far). My first boat was a Hunter 30(figured I would get a BIG boat so I wouldn't have to go the step up route). Had the 30 for 5 years, liked it and started thinking 'boy, boat sails well, if only it was a little bigger, that would be great'. We sold her and moved to a Legend 37. When we arrived at the dock looked down at this boat, I admit I thought ' maybe we bit off a little too much'. Not so... you really grow into the new boat. We were a lot more careful/cautious and things worked out OK. I don't think I will go any bigger. Not that I don't think I can handle it, but I REALLY can't justify the bucks for the sailing we do. As for the boats you're considering, go with the one that appeals to you. It'll be a lot easier when te time comes to shell out the bucks for repairs, add-ons, etc...
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Damian Pons
going bigger
I used to Sail a westerly GK 29 which belonged to my parents in law, when it came to buy myself a boat, I originally thought about the 290, but eventually went with thw 340, and have found that there really isn't that much difference in the sailing and so on, the added advantage is the extra comfort
I used to Sail a westerly GK 29 which belonged to my parents in law, when it came to buy myself a boat, I originally thought about the 290, but eventually went with thw 340, and have found that there really isn't that much difference in the sailing and so on, the added advantage is the extra comfort
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Jim Russell
340 party cockpit
Unlike the H34, the H340 cockpit is quite huge to the point that some have given it the name of a party cockpit. We have been very satisfied with our 340 now in its 4th season. We routinely beat the Catalinas on the dock, and easy maintenance. Jim
Unlike the H34, the H340 cockpit is quite huge to the point that some have given it the name of a party cockpit. We have been very satisfied with our 340 now in its 4th season. We routinely beat the Catalinas on the dock, and easy maintenance. Jim
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PATTY CHERONE
WE LOVE OURS
AFTER OWNING AT CATALINA 30, CATALINA 34, SEARAY 34(OOPS, DID THE POWER BOAT THING) AND NOW A HUNTER 340, I MUST SAY HUNTER HAS MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK. LIKE JIM SAYS, THE PARTY COCKPIT IS GREAT, NOT TO MENTION THE SPACIOUSNESS OF BELOW DECK AND ALL THE LIGHT FROM THE WINDOWS. SHE IS A TENDER BOAT HOWEVER AND DOES TEND TO HEEL EASIER THAN THE CATALINA, IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT "YOU" WANT.
AFTER OWNING AT CATALINA 30, CATALINA 34, SEARAY 34(OOPS, DID THE POWER BOAT THING) AND NOW A HUNTER 340, I MUST SAY HUNTER HAS MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK. LIKE JIM SAYS, THE PARTY COCKPIT IS GREAT, NOT TO MENTION THE SPACIOUSNESS OF BELOW DECK AND ALL THE LIGHT FROM THE WINDOWS. SHE IS A TENDER BOAT HOWEVER AND DOES TEND TO HEEL EASIER THAN THE CATALINA, IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT "YOU" WANT.
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Ron
Bigger is Better
Although I can't comment on the boats you mentioned here my wife and I went from a Sunfish to a Hobie 16 to an H23 to our present H37C and never had a problem. The bigger the boat the more toys you can put on it and the more freinds you can take with you. My suggestion to you is go for the biggest boat you can afford and in a year it will still be too small. Happy Sailing... If you'd like pictures, e-mail me and I'll give you the link to my photosite..Ron
Although I can't comment on the boats you mentioned here my wife and I went from a Sunfish to a Hobie 16 to an H23 to our present H37C and never had a problem. The bigger the boat the more toys you can put on it and the more freinds you can take with you. My suggestion to you is go for the biggest boat you can afford and in a year it will still be too small. Happy Sailing... If you'd like pictures, e-mail me and I'll give you the link to my photosite..Ron
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Darcy Peck
Me Too.
When we decided to move up from our Mirage 29 we considered the same 3 boats & finally settled on the Hunter 340 with the Spinnaker Option package. We use the spinnaker winches for the jib sheets to free up the winches on the coach roof. WE are reasonably satisfied after several problems mostly with dealer installed options, flawed gel coat, compass. Accessability to dealer service facilities has been our biggest problem & one to take into consideration when making your decision.
When we decided to move up from our Mirage 29 we considered the same 3 boats & finally settled on the Hunter 340 with the Spinnaker Option package. We use the spinnaker winches for the jib sheets to free up the winches on the coach roof. WE are reasonably satisfied after several problems mostly with dealer installed options, flawed gel coat, compass. Accessability to dealer service facilities has been our biggest problem & one to take into consideration when making your decision.
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ROBBIE
UPSIZING
YOUR QUESTION ABOUT MOVING UP IN SIZE HITS ME WHERE I LIVE. JUST A YEAR AGO, I MOVED FROM HUNTER 27 TO A HUNTER 430 AND IT WAS INTIMIDATING THE FIRST COUPLE OUTINGS. OUR FIRST SAIL WAS FROM PORTLAND OR. TO PORT ORCHARD WA. AND WAS NOTHING SHORT OF AN ADVENTURE. THIS MOVE WAS NECESSARY, BECAUSE I.M AN OLD GUY AND DON'T HAVE TIME FOR TWO-FOOT-ITIS!
YOUR QUESTION ABOUT MOVING UP IN SIZE HITS ME WHERE I LIVE. JUST A YEAR AGO, I MOVED FROM HUNTER 27 TO A HUNTER 430 AND IT WAS INTIMIDATING THE FIRST COUPLE OUTINGS. OUR FIRST SAIL WAS FROM PORTLAND OR. TO PORT ORCHARD WA. AND WAS NOTHING SHORT OF AN ADVENTURE. THIS MOVE WAS NECESSARY, BECAUSE I.M AN OLD GUY AND DON'T HAVE TIME FOR TWO-FOOT-ITIS!
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Lachapelle André
Growing up is easy...
I use to be a powerboat owner for almost 15 years, than I bought a Tanzer 22, then a Tanzer 26 and finally got my H34. We sail on Lake Champlain, NY, with the 26, and I bought the H34 on the East coast, Beverly, MA, north of Boston. I sailed her along the coast, to the Cape Cod Canal, then Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard, then Long Island Sound, Hell's Gate, up the Hudson River and finally Lake Champlain. It was intimidating for 2-3 days I'd say, from a tiller to a wheel, an outboard to a diesel inboard and the restriction that comes with it (RPM), the tides, etc. But the comfort I gain, the quality of time that we spend more on the boat that we used to is uncomparable. I had the opportunity to deliver a Beneteau Oceanis 40 last fall from NY to Beaufort NC as a crew, chartered a H43 last winter from Florida Yacht to the Biminis and back as a skipper, and I say the bigger ( to a certain limit!) the better, as long as you can afford it. My boat was severely damaged by a storm last september and for this seaon I sailed on my friends boats : a H32 Vision and a Tanzer 26, I'm very happy to sail at all but still can't wait to launch back in the water next season. Best of luck ! And go for it ! André
I use to be a powerboat owner for almost 15 years, than I bought a Tanzer 22, then a Tanzer 26 and finally got my H34. We sail on Lake Champlain, NY, with the 26, and I bought the H34 on the East coast, Beverly, MA, north of Boston. I sailed her along the coast, to the Cape Cod Canal, then Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard, then Long Island Sound, Hell's Gate, up the Hudson River and finally Lake Champlain. It was intimidating for 2-3 days I'd say, from a tiller to a wheel, an outboard to a diesel inboard and the restriction that comes with it (RPM), the tides, etc. But the comfort I gain, the quality of time that we spend more on the boat that we used to is uncomparable. I had the opportunity to deliver a Beneteau Oceanis 40 last fall from NY to Beaufort NC as a crew, chartered a H43 last winter from Florida Yacht to the Biminis and back as a skipper, and I say the bigger ( to a certain limit!) the better, as long as you can afford it. My boat was severely damaged by a storm last september and for this seaon I sailed on my friends boats : a H32 Vision and a Tanzer 26, I'm very happy to sail at all but still can't wait to launch back in the water next season. Best of luck ! And go for it ! André
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