Our hunter 40

JohnVTX · Oct 15, 2015

Nicely written. Lot's of good research. Thanks for publishing here.

dehler25 · Oct 15, 2015

We basically completed the same analysis, looked at similar vessels, and came to the same conclusions for the same reasons. There will always be bashers that believe a fiberglass hull should be six inches thick to be safe. Pull up your cabin sole and look at the structure, weak? I think not. How much time is spent at the dock or on the hook compared to underway and then look at comfort, tankage etc.. I like boats that sail well and fast and yes it is true that heavy boats are more sea kindly but the trade off just ain't worth it.

51RD55 · Oct 15, 2015

Great read. We came to the same conclusions. Our boat is perfect for us. Never been in salt water and won't be with us as well. Already had a lifetime of adventures and now, the great lakes are going to be our playground. Different strokes for different folks! Thanks for sharing!

BillBay36 · Oct 15, 2015

I like your choice to buy your boat. Anyone who has an opinion other than you is a Chucklehead? More trashy talk from smackdad. Someday you might grow up. You go to far ruin a good thing with name calling. Upsetting to see on this peaceful web forum.

njlarry · Oct 15, 2015

Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post. Look forward to reading about your upcoming projects.

njlarry · Oct 16, 2015

We Chucklheads love it!
Keep it coming.

CharlzO · Oct 17, 2015

Great reading, thanks!

Kings Gambit · Oct 18, 2015

smackdaddy said:
When I was researching before purchasing our 1989 Hunter 40 Legend, I was very interested in all the things I might run into on these boats. I found a lot of information here and elsewhere. And I was thankful for those who shared theirs.

So, I thought I'd share some of my own information, including reasoning for buying this boat and the projects I've undertaken since I bought her. Hopefully it will help the next dude.

The first question I had to face was "Why the hell would you buy a Hunter?" Well that was easy - they're awesome boats, and an awesome value. Here's a full run-down:

How We Got To Hunter

Soon, I'll post write-ups and videos of various projects we've undertaken since purchasing Dawn Treader. We love our boat.

Enjoy!

Chuckleheads may be in the eyes of the beholders. I don't follow the logic of offering up a Hunter 49 of 32,813-lb displacement that can cost upward of nearly half a million dollars new as evidence that a Hunter 40 of half that displacement and less than a quarter the cost has virtually the same blue-water capabilities b/c both are manufactured by the same company, albeit different using designers. I'm sure any boat manufacturer could build a boat to meet whatever conditions required of it. The question is can you sell 'em. Hunter's principal new-boat market, along with Bavaria, Beneteau, & Catalina is toward the "entry levels" of boat ownership. Also, all contribute many boats to the bare-boat charter markets of the world, facilitated by comparatively low production cost. The fact that one can buy a used, low-end production boat and sail it to Hawaii from Los Angeles does not mean a thing about "blue-water" capability--just that good weather was had along the way. The Hunter 49 was designed to be a blue-water boat (i.e., long-distance cruiser), and so it is. Evidently, Henderson and the design team at Hunter know the difference between one that is, and one that isn't, if even if the [chuckleaded] author of the story at the link you gave might not!

But, congratulations on finding a boat that you're satisfied with. I spent about 5 years on the quest for the one I have now, as well.

http://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboats/hunter-49-queen-fleet-takes-tour

Terry Cox · Oct 18, 2015

When the admiral and I decided to upgrade from our H28 in 2001, an H40.5 was the one for us. Checked one out at the broker's slip, but it was a bit rough live aboard, but nicely equipped. Next to it was a P42 just coming onto the market from being in charter. Admiral tells me that if we need a larger boat, this is the one she wants (aft cabin, you see). Okay, the search began in earnest.

Looked at many brands and sizes, but kept coming back to the Hunter brand for many of the same reasons you encountered. Settled on a lightly used 1991 P42 and after some negotiating purchase her in March 2002. We've sailed Belle-Vie many thousands of miles all over PNW waters in some pretty heavy weather since. No regrets here; she is a delight to sail.

Just finished a 70 day cruise north into British Columbia looking for Spirit Bear. You can read my log report in the PNW Cruisers forum. I do hope the new owners of the Hunter brand maintain the quality and standard set by the previous owners.

Kings Gambit · Oct 18, 2015

smackdaddy said:
"The Hunter 49 was designed to be a blue-water boat (i.e., long-distance cruiser), and so it is...."

Trust me, there are A LOT of "chuckleheads" (it's obviously a joking term) out there who would vigorously disagree with you. I've debated most of them on each of the major forums.

Furthermore, I'm not saying our Hunter 40 is equivalent to the 49 by any means. They are very different boats. The 49 I'm talking about rounded Cape Horn. Even so, I do still think our 40 will do just fine in "blue water" - at least the kind of blue water we'll see in most of our own cruising.

Congrats on your boat.

Vigorous disagreement doesn't bother me; hysterical disagreement might. Disagree with what? That the Hunter 49 was designed as a blue water (long-distance) cruiser--one of the chief's at Hunter said so in the review I posted. That it is, in fact, a blue-water cruiser? I suppose it returned from it's trip around Cape Horn; so if it's not one it's sure acting like one. Or, that whatever one calls it or not, it's just as well built as another, much more expensive, brand?; I never suggested that it was. Your article implied that virtually any boat is "potentially" a blue-water cruiser so it's pointless to continue to try make a distinction between ones that are and ones that are not, etc. Thus, your argument, with all due respect, seems to suggest that a Hunter 40 Legend is therefore just as capable of doubling the Cape as any other boat might be, including the H49. True enough, perhaps, if you get it there and conditions are mild. Otherwise---? There's where the disagreement is. Namely, anyone who advises a newbe that there is a difference is suffering from some kind of chucklehead syndrome by promulgating imaginary distinctions. Did I read it correctly?

Kings Gambit · Oct 18, 2015

smackdaddy said:
No - you're extrapolating. My point in my "article" is that my Hunter 40 will handle 99% of the "blue water" cruising that cruisers do (us included). And it will. No question. Hal Roth knows what he's talking about. I never said our 40 is fit for The Horn.

Of course, then we're back to the 99% argument. We're not going to The Horn in this boat.

So - I'm not suggesting what you are inferring. The 49 handled it (plus an F10-11 Southern Ocean storm) with aplomb. That's a fact. I'd be more cautious with my 40.

So, there is a distinction--a line of capability between boats that can and may sail the oceans fully ad libitum, and those that perhaps cannot, or should not.

Kings Gambit · Oct 18, 2015

smackdaddy said:
Not really. I think most modern production boats can sail the oceans "fully" just fine (the 99%). On the other hand, rounding Cape Horn or trekking the Northwest Passage (the 1%) might require a bit more thought as to the boat type...or at least a MUCH more careful eye to weather.

I'm personally not interested in the latter. So, for me, it's not a concern...ad infinitum.

Well then, for anybody who it might be, I guess the topic is still open for discussion.

justsomeguy · Oct 24, 2015

smackdaddy said:
I know my writing style is not for everyone.

I think you write very well!

And Dawn Treader is a much better name than Searenity.