As several members on HunterOwners know, I decided to sell my 1999 Hunter 380 recently. My wife and I are in our mid seventies and it was becoming too big a boat for us to handle. It also became a guilt trip for me as we were not using her for the long cruises we use to take. So we decided to sell and get a smaller boat. Several asked to keep them informed as to what we did. Our Hunter 380 sold in three weeks if you're interested. Some Individuals from this list sent in ideas, different boats, philsophy, concepts, etc. But my parameters remained fixed: smaller boat, preferably under 30 feet, easy to sail (neither of us has the muscle power we once had), NEW (I didn't want a project boat), and in our price range. Several of you sent in suggestions that quickly made the short list. There was a Schock Harbor 25 (a very good looking boat and sold locally), Catalina 28 (just made the cut at 29'5"), Dana 24 (being made in Seattle as we speak but very much out of my budget--low 200K), a J boat but I forgot the number, Alerion-Express 28 (probably the prettiest boat of the bunch with a great self-taking jib but a price above my limits) and several Hunters. The Harbor 25, the Catalina and the one Hunter made the final grade. But I am biased and have had a good relationship with Hunter over the years and the Hunter 27 was our final choice. Once chosen, the fun began--what to put on and how to rig. First off the Hunter 27--the new Trumpeter--is 27' long, 9'11" beam. It weighs in at about 8,000 lbs (for my Canadian friends--both of them, 3500 kg). It is a light boat but there is a racing version (Hunter 27X) which is even lighter. It has an aft stateroom (for one unless recently married), a marine head, shower, minimal cooking, hot and cold pressure water and minimal storage. Only the Catalina had more storage and facilities. We opted for the roller furling main and jib that I like so well. It has a walk thru transom that we both like and a mid cockpit traveler that I'll get use to. This is one of two boats that Hunter makes without an arch. Pity. You can see the new boat at: http://www.huntermarine.com/Models/27/27Gallery.html "Stuff" that we are adding. First, a three bladed Max prop. Can't think of any boat without that. Then a dodger. Necessary here in the northwest. A package of ST60 instruments and Raymarine's new wheel autopilot is being put on. I've upgraded the VHF radio to a category D Icom , a command mic at the helm too. A folding wheel, shore power, and at my request for my wife, all winches to be two speed. If you want the female spouse to enjoy the boat it has to be designed for them too (well, I said it was for my wife but I like and need them too). Given that point, a friend put me on to something I didn't know about (how can that be you say?), a windward traveler device (see: http://www.harken.com/traveler/WindwardSheeting.php) which is a kick. I think both Lynn and I will enjoy this. We may have to put it on locally. I've also asked for a two part mainsheet--fast on one end and minute on the other end. All that plus an extra battery for the house. We're still debating whether to put on a bimini (rain cover). My thought is that if it is raining out I'm not going to sail. She says, if you're out and it starts to rain...... Damn woman's logic. Although I didn't have to ask for it, the boat comes with a lead keel (five feet). I was surprised at the number of boats that I looked at that now come with iron keels. And speaking of iron bottoms, we're getting Bottomsiders (cushions) for the cockpit. Almost forgot--a Webasto 2000 hot air furnace...I know, I know it seems appropriate on a Prof's boat. One of the fun moments was when I was thinking of the music system in the boat. I love classical and jazz so I wanted good speakers. It already comes with a Sony stereo and Bose speakers. How about that!!! and the Sony is iPod ready. Hell, I don't even have an iPod yet. Hey, I've got an anniversary coming up--I'll get her an iPod and then borrow it. So on a rainy day I can sit below, listen to Mozart and stay warm with the furnace going. Don't you think I should get a new iBook Pro so I can write while on board? Hmmmm???? There are two things that I'm going to get for this boat when it arrives. First, I want to be able to sail by myself at times and I also want to back in when docking. So my first purchase will be permanent dock fenders. Take a look: http://holmesms.com/ They look substantial and will keep me from having to put the fenders out. And because the boat has such little storage space for large items like fenders, take a look at these puppies: http://www.stowawayboatfenders.com/home.html They used inflatable fenders on the Hunter 50, a cruising boat. Seems like to me it will work for this boat as well. Cool, eh? When will it get here? My dealer says two months--I say three months. Anyone want to start a pool? It will come to Seattle and the dodger will get installed there along with a slew of other stuff. I hope I can keep sailing for another ten years--we'll see. Selling a boat is hard. But buying a new one is fun. I guess it balances out. Les Les Blackwell Boatless in Bellingham (didn't they make a movie about this????)
