My husband and I are thinking in a 2 or 3 years cincumnavigation. We were thinking in a hunter 380 for this purpose, however we recived many valuables advaices from hunter owners and look like maybe is not the best boat for this. I will love if people who have experience in offshore passages share with us their experience and give us suggestions about the right boat. We consider also Catalina or Benetau but any advaice is wellcome. Thanks, Paula
- Status
Probably not a H380
I've never done a circumnavigation so treat my advice with a grain or two of salt. However, I am an owner of a H380. It is a beutiful boat--in my opinion, one of the best that Hunter makes. However, I do not think it would be a good boat for around the world trip. It has no sea berths, no storage of life raft, not enough fuel storage and too much water storage in one tank. I am very much in love with Hunters new HC50 which I think you ought to consider. It is a perfect boat, in my estimation, to do a world cruise. If I had the money, I would buy just that boat. All the things that the H380 doesn't have, the HC50 does and vice versa. If anything, read about how the HC50 is set up and look for a boat like it. May I suggest Herb Payson's book, Advice to the Sealorn. He has done extenisve cruising and writes both a delightful as well as informative book. There is nothing better on the market. I wish you well. Les
I've never done a circumnavigation so treat my advice with a grain or two of salt. However, I am an owner of a H380. It is a beutiful boat--in my opinion, one of the best that Hunter makes. However, I do not think it would be a good boat for around the world trip. It has no sea berths, no storage of life raft, not enough fuel storage and too much water storage in one tank. I am very much in love with Hunters new HC50 which I think you ought to consider. It is a perfect boat, in my estimation, to do a world cruise. If I had the money, I would buy just that boat. All the things that the H380 doesn't have, the HC50 does and vice versa. If anything, read about how the HC50 is set up and look for a boat like it. May I suggest Herb Payson's book, Advice to the Sealorn. He has done extenisve cruising and writes both a delightful as well as informative book. There is nothing better on the market. I wish you well. Les
Some of my favorites for offshore cruisers
Before buying my catalina 36, I looked at several boats suitable for offshore cruising. One is a Allied Princess. It is a nice ketch with strong construction and worm drive steering. You can usually find them in the $40k - $50k price range. There are several real nice ones here on the East Coast. For a bit more, Bristols, Island Packets, Valients, and Cabo Ricos are nice boats for the purpose. Les Murray C-36 Ceilidh H-20 Limerick
Before buying my catalina 36, I looked at several boats suitable for offshore cruising. One is a Allied Princess. It is a nice ketch with strong construction and worm drive steering. You can usually find them in the $40k - $50k price range. There are several real nice ones here on the East Coast. For a bit more, Bristols, Island Packets, Valients, and Cabo Ricos are nice boats for the purpose. Les Murray C-36 Ceilidh H-20 Limerick
Catalina?
If you are thinking Catalina, you might as well go back to the Hunter. Both are production boats and would have to be modified for blue water cruising. I love my Hunter for what it is designed for. Other people have circumnavigated in smaller, less seaworthy boats, but I sure wouldn't. I'd be looking at Pacific Seacraft or Island Packet. But if $$ is a consideration, I would look at an older boat and put the $$ into making her seaworthy.
If you are thinking Catalina, you might as well go back to the Hunter. Both are production boats and would have to be modified for blue water cruising. I love my Hunter for what it is designed for. Other people have circumnavigated in smaller, less seaworthy boats, but I sure wouldn't. I'd be looking at Pacific Seacraft or Island Packet. But if $$ is a consideration, I would look at an older boat and put the $$ into making her seaworthy.
Its less the manufacturer than it is the features
If I was looking for a boat to circumnavigate, features that would be desirable is extra Fuel & water tankage (as much as possible), sea berths, well built/protected rudder design and solid keel design (I would stay away from racing or wimpy fin keels). Extra heavy rigging, Sails rigged to controlled from the cockpit, possibly a cutter rig. Heavy duty stanchions and generous handholds above and below.....Fiddles on countertops and positive latches (that you don't stick your finger into to open -- it'll rip your finger off if you get hit by a wave when opening cabinets).....I could go on and on, but you get the picture....... Its not that Hunter or Catalina make poor boats, its just that alot of the features that you would want on a Long distance cruising boat you don't care about while coastal cruising and Vice-versa ! I don't think I would want a Island packet to cruise Long Island Sound, but they make great boats for Long distance cruising....... With that said all the boats previously mentioned would be good candidates Maybe I would add to look at some Moodys -- decent compromise between cruising boat and decent speed--- or anything designed by "Bill" Crealock like a Westsail (relatively slow but can take anything the ocean throws at you) ---- take at look http://www.westsail.org/
If I was looking for a boat to circumnavigate, features that would be desirable is extra Fuel & water tankage (as much as possible), sea berths, well built/protected rudder design and solid keel design (I would stay away from racing or wimpy fin keels). Extra heavy rigging, Sails rigged to controlled from the cockpit, possibly a cutter rig. Heavy duty stanchions and generous handholds above and below.....Fiddles on countertops and positive latches (that you don't stick your finger into to open -- it'll rip your finger off if you get hit by a wave when opening cabinets).....I could go on and on, but you get the picture....... Its not that Hunter or Catalina make poor boats, its just that alot of the features that you would want on a Long distance cruising boat you don't care about while coastal cruising and Vice-versa ! I don't think I would want a Island packet to cruise Long Island Sound, but they make great boats for Long distance cruising....... With that said all the boats previously mentioned would be good candidates Maybe I would add to look at some Moodys -- decent compromise between cruising boat and decent speed--- or anything designed by "Bill" Crealock like a Westsail (relatively slow but can take anything the ocean throws at you) ---- take at look http://www.westsail.org/
None of the above
None of the manufacturers you ticked off fit the bill for a circumnavigation (IMHO). I love my Catalina to death and I know folks have cirumnav'd in them but you sure as heck wouldn't see me doing it! There are many technical explanations best left to naval architects but these lines are typically made for coastal cruising, not long passage-making. They're not built to take it. Circumnavigation is not something to be taken lightly. The passages are (I hear) extremely difficult and dangerous. Having merely cruised the west coast from Oregon to Mexico, I can, with a small amount of authority, say they're likely to be worse than you've ever imagined. But the rewards are only that much more great! The goal to circumnavigate is a noble one. Approach the boat-buying decision with great care. You want to be sure the boat you select can take the punishment Mother Ocean has to dish out. And don't take the broker's word for it. Talk to as many people as you can about their boats, learn from them & their mistakes and you will be likely to end up with a solid blue-water boat. My choice? Pacific Seacraft (Crealock), Westsail, Valiant, Hans Christian. Couldn't go wrong with any of these. LaDonna
None of the manufacturers you ticked off fit the bill for a circumnavigation (IMHO). I love my Catalina to death and I know folks have cirumnav'd in them but you sure as heck wouldn't see me doing it! There are many technical explanations best left to naval architects but these lines are typically made for coastal cruising, not long passage-making. They're not built to take it. Circumnavigation is not something to be taken lightly. The passages are (I hear) extremely difficult and dangerous. Having merely cruised the west coast from Oregon to Mexico, I can, with a small amount of authority, say they're likely to be worse than you've ever imagined. But the rewards are only that much more great! The goal to circumnavigate is a noble one. Approach the boat-buying decision with great care. You want to be sure the boat you select can take the punishment Mother Ocean has to dish out. And don't take the broker's word for it. Talk to as many people as you can about their boats, learn from them & their mistakes and you will be likely to end up with a solid blue-water boat. My choice? Pacific Seacraft (Crealock), Westsail, Valiant, Hans Christian. Couldn't go wrong with any of these. LaDonna
In addition to the suggestions below
If you can afford a Hunter 380, you can afford a used Swan, Jonmeri, Baltic, Valiant, or similar design. These are designed for offshore sailing. Hunter leans toward beamy boats with large interiors. You want something different for comfort in seas. There, deep draft is your friend. Reject anything less than 5 feet in a 35 footer, anything less than 6 feet in a 40 footer. Look for a minimum ballast ratio of 35%, aim for over 40%. Be wary of beam. You want clean decks, low cabin trunk, and lots of storage inside and out. Get a good survey and learn the boat.
If you can afford a Hunter 380, you can afford a used Swan, Jonmeri, Baltic, Valiant, or similar design. These are designed for offshore sailing. Hunter leans toward beamy boats with large interiors. You want something different for comfort in seas. There, deep draft is your friend. Reject anything less than 5 feet in a 35 footer, anything less than 6 feet in a 40 footer. Look for a minimum ballast ratio of 35%, aim for over 40%. Be wary of beam. You want clean decks, low cabin trunk, and lots of storage inside and out. Get a good survey and learn the boat.
Good Source of Boat Reviews
Hi Paula: I suggest that you go to www.Spinsheet.com and click on the used boat review tab. Naval architect Jack (forget the last name) from Annapolis writes a column on used boats. There are approximately 30 to 40 reviews you can read. Jack always comments on construction,handling and seaworthiness. You can also note his E-Mail address and write him directly. Good luck Melody
Hi Paula: I suggest that you go to www.Spinsheet.com and click on the used boat review tab. Naval architect Jack (forget the last name) from Annapolis writes a column on used boats. There are approximately 30 to 40 reviews you can read. Jack always comments on construction,handling and seaworthiness. You can also note his E-Mail address and write him directly. Good luck Melody
My suggestion
I would not recommend a circumnavigation in a later Hunter boat. The earlier (Cherubini) ones MIGHT be better by design but then there is the issue of condition from age and if it's used it's like going to sea with a pig in a poke. Your primary considerations are a reputation for robust construction, a design built for fear-alleviating comfort with serious speed– since slowness at sea can be both a hazard as well as a bore. The individual sail areas must be managable and allow for plenty of sail options, which to me precludes almost anything with one mast. The boat's ability to handle VERY rough weather and still make some kind of knotage forwards is greatly overlooked by many people planning this sort of jaunt (recall that the film 'Titanic' showed plenty of nice plain sailing before the North Atlantic catastrophe too!). For all those including Mr Phish from St Augustine who complained that I too harshly bear contempt for Bob Perry, here is my suggestion– the Valiant 40. Stay away from 'affordable' (read that– old) offerings from Westsail as my recollection is that they are painfully slow. Poser boats such as the Shannons and so forth are more offshore 'look' than reality. Read Cruising World and Sail and see what others have sailed in real life. If it were me I would consider a Bermuda 40 (some can be picked up for $65k), actually almost anything Hinckley (which is like saying anything Mercedes) or– get this– a VERY WELL MAINTAINED Cherubini 44 ketch (read the caps again!!). These boats are noted for dry decks by design whilst still making sometimes incredible speed forwards in a blow. A Cherubini 44 once shot the Gulf Stream during a full gale and suffered only minor damage (interior woodwork) despite an inexperienced crew and weather that threatened to roll over a British minesweeper. In any case no matter what your choice of boat, go with God. Seriously. JC II
I would not recommend a circumnavigation in a later Hunter boat. The earlier (Cherubini) ones MIGHT be better by design but then there is the issue of condition from age and if it's used it's like going to sea with a pig in a poke. Your primary considerations are a reputation for robust construction, a design built for fear-alleviating comfort with serious speed– since slowness at sea can be both a hazard as well as a bore. The individual sail areas must be managable and allow for plenty of sail options, which to me precludes almost anything with one mast. The boat's ability to handle VERY rough weather and still make some kind of knotage forwards is greatly overlooked by many people planning this sort of jaunt (recall that the film 'Titanic' showed plenty of nice plain sailing before the North Atlantic catastrophe too!). For all those including Mr Phish from St Augustine who complained that I too harshly bear contempt for Bob Perry, here is my suggestion– the Valiant 40. Stay away from 'affordable' (read that– old) offerings from Westsail as my recollection is that they are painfully slow. Poser boats such as the Shannons and so forth are more offshore 'look' than reality. Read Cruising World and Sail and see what others have sailed in real life. If it were me I would consider a Bermuda 40 (some can be picked up for $65k), actually almost anything Hinckley (which is like saying anything Mercedes) or– get this– a VERY WELL MAINTAINED Cherubini 44 ketch (read the caps again!!). These boats are noted for dry decks by design whilst still making sometimes incredible speed forwards in a blow. A Cherubini 44 once shot the Gulf Stream during a full gale and suffered only minor damage (interior woodwork) despite an inexperienced crew and weather that threatened to roll over a British minesweeper. In any case no matter what your choice of boat, go with God. Seriously. JC II
A couple of other considerations
I remember when I first entered sailing and brought my first boat. I explained to the dealer that I intended to cross oceans and go to Bermuda and do all of those romantic and adventerous things that I had been reading asbout all my life. The dealer smiled and said "this boat will take you there". It was a 25 foot Tanzer! Lesson #1: don't listen to the dealer. I really love my recently purchased Legend 35.5 but would not ever consider a circumnavagation with her--or any other hunter for many of the reasons listed in responses to your inquiry. They are not designed for a circumnavagation. They are, hewever, terrific boats for their designed purpose--near coastal and protected water cruising/racing. While looking for a suitable boat do not be blinded by "newness" and "glitz". And consider the two following factors: 1. can the boat be turned upside down and everything remain in place? (locker contents as well as locker covers, floor boards, batteries, etc.) 2. as you inspect the boat imagine it suddenly being UNDERWATER. In short, is the boat waterproof and is the gear secure from a sever knockdown. Then imagine your body flying around the cabin in 30-40 foot seas--the large roomy interiors designed into the Catalinas and Hunters are a liability in such a situation. I know this sounds like doom and gloom. A circumnavigation is an awesome undertaking requiring tremendous planning. Forget about those idiots who cross oceans in 22 foot rowboats. Undertaking such an adventure, with patience and proper planing, and the proper boat, can result in a wonderful voyage. However, IF THINGS GO WRONG there is nowhere to run for help. Surely you would want to be prepared for what you hope will never happen. I am not a circumnavigator and my boat serves me fine for its design purpose, however if I were looking for a boat for circumnavigating I would want a strongly built boat, but one that is not a "slug". I would want a newer design (as opposed to the Cabo's and Packets)and would consider, in fact seek, the advice of those who have been there. Good luck in your adventure.
I remember when I first entered sailing and brought my first boat. I explained to the dealer that I intended to cross oceans and go to Bermuda and do all of those romantic and adventerous things that I had been reading asbout all my life. The dealer smiled and said "this boat will take you there". It was a 25 foot Tanzer! Lesson #1: don't listen to the dealer. I really love my recently purchased Legend 35.5 but would not ever consider a circumnavagation with her--or any other hunter for many of the reasons listed in responses to your inquiry. They are not designed for a circumnavagation. They are, hewever, terrific boats for their designed purpose--near coastal and protected water cruising/racing. While looking for a suitable boat do not be blinded by "newness" and "glitz". And consider the two following factors: 1. can the boat be turned upside down and everything remain in place? (locker contents as well as locker covers, floor boards, batteries, etc.) 2. as you inspect the boat imagine it suddenly being UNDERWATER. In short, is the boat waterproof and is the gear secure from a sever knockdown. Then imagine your body flying around the cabin in 30-40 foot seas--the large roomy interiors designed into the Catalinas and Hunters are a liability in such a situation. I know this sounds like doom and gloom. A circumnavigation is an awesome undertaking requiring tremendous planning. Forget about those idiots who cross oceans in 22 foot rowboats. Undertaking such an adventure, with patience and proper planing, and the proper boat, can result in a wonderful voyage. However, IF THINGS GO WRONG there is nowhere to run for help. Surely you would want to be prepared for what you hope will never happen. I am not a circumnavigator and my boat serves me fine for its design purpose, however if I were looking for a boat for circumnavigating I would want a strongly built boat, but one that is not a "slug". I would want a newer design (as opposed to the Cabo's and Packets)and would consider, in fact seek, the advice of those who have been there. Good luck in your adventure.
Read Read Read
Dispite everyone's concerns for circumnavigating in anything less that a 40 ton reef crusher you will be surprised to find how many people are cruising in smaller boats generally thought to be coastal cruisers. Far more important than the bluewater boat is the bluewater sailor. I for one never plan to sail the atlantic during hurricane season, but I do plan to take my Hunter 37C to the south pacific... Good sailors are out there in anything that floats. Most Hunters and Beneteaus used around the world in charter get there on their own hulls.. But, if you can't reef, stay awake for 24 hours at a pop or heave-to, you'll need more than a reef crusher.. you'll need to go Carnival.. Get the tape by the "Pardey's" called Cruising the Corel Sea, and see the reality of what people are cruising in.. My friends in the Carrib tell me that my Hunter 37C will be one of the better boats out there.. Learn to be a Good sailor, then go have fun... Ron
Dispite everyone's concerns for circumnavigating in anything less that a 40 ton reef crusher you will be surprised to find how many people are cruising in smaller boats generally thought to be coastal cruisers. Far more important than the bluewater boat is the bluewater sailor. I for one never plan to sail the atlantic during hurricane season, but I do plan to take my Hunter 37C to the south pacific... Good sailors are out there in anything that floats. Most Hunters and Beneteaus used around the world in charter get there on their own hulls.. But, if you can't reef, stay awake for 24 hours at a pop or heave-to, you'll need more than a reef crusher.. you'll need to go Carnival.. Get the tape by the "Pardey's" called Cruising the Corel Sea, and see the reality of what people are cruising in.. My friends in the Carrib tell me that my Hunter 37C will be one of the better boats out there.. Learn to be a Good sailor, then go have fun... Ron
Good point Ron...
No matter how big/expensive your boat is you are still at the mercy of the weather and sea. The crew of Team Phillips (100+ foot racing catamaran) had to abandon her in the Atlantic a few days ago in force 12 conditions. At that point whether your boat is a Hunter, Cabo Rico, Pacific Seacraft, or whatever you are in serious trouble. Gear and gadgets are no substitute for caution and seamanship...
No matter how big/expensive your boat is you are still at the mercy of the weather and sea. The crew of Team Phillips (100+ foot racing catamaran) had to abandon her in the Atlantic a few days ago in force 12 conditions. At that point whether your boat is a Hunter, Cabo Rico, Pacific Seacraft, or whatever you are in serious trouble. Gear and gadgets are no substitute for caution and seamanship...
Offshore cruiser
A friend of mine is presenly circumnavigating and is in Bali right now. She sails a Caliber 40, sometimes alone, sometimes with a crew. I have talked with her often and her boat is tailor made for long term, blue water navigation. Bon Voyage, Jean Hrab
A friend of mine is presenly circumnavigating and is in Bali right now. She sails a Caliber 40, sometimes alone, sometimes with a crew. I have talked with her often and her boat is tailor made for long term, blue water navigation. Bon Voyage, Jean Hrab
Read two books.
First, the title "Total Loss", in case you are underestimating what can happen to very experienced sailors in very capable craft. Second, "Storm Tactics", so that you will be fully prepared because we all hope you will go despite all this doom and gloom.
First, the title "Total Loss", in case you are underestimating what can happen to very experienced sailors in very capable craft. Second, "Storm Tactics", so that you will be fully prepared because we all hope you will go despite all this doom and gloom.
- Status