64% of responding Hunter owners have sailed in uncomfortably large seas, according to last week's Quick Quiz. How did your boat meet the challenge? Did it reef easily and handle with stability? Was your experience invigorating or terrifying? Swamp us with opinion here.
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Mark Burrows
Proposal @ Sea
The story of our H26 on Memorial Day, 1996 has been recounted (read bragged) about on HOW before. Most of it deals with inexperienced sailors who though NOAA weather 2 ft waves were really 2 ft. instead of the 4-6 that we experienced. As for performance, the boat did well upwind. We had to tack upwind out of one river (Piankatank) then come back downwind into the Rappahanock. However, when we turned downwind we broached 3 times with a few injuries (bruises from being slammed by the mainsheet). We couldn't use the outboard because the steepness of the waves until we had drifted well into the shelter of the river. We lost a batten and ripped a reefpoint. Getting into a slip was another adventure. Mark
The story of our H26 on Memorial Day, 1996 has been recounted (read bragged) about on HOW before. Most of it deals with inexperienced sailors who though NOAA weather 2 ft waves were really 2 ft. instead of the 4-6 that we experienced. As for performance, the boat did well upwind. We had to tack upwind out of one river (Piankatank) then come back downwind into the Rappahanock. However, when we turned downwind we broached 3 times with a few injuries (bruises from being slammed by the mainsheet). We couldn't use the outboard because the steepness of the waves until we had drifted well into the shelter of the river. We lost a batten and ripped a reefpoint. Getting into a slip was another adventure. Mark
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John Drost Jr.
STRONG WIND
I went sailing on Harvye Lake in NE. PA. It was the Sunday before Labor Day, the morning wind was normal so I set the main and jib, then it got exciting, the wind picked up onto the 10-20 mph range and did not slow down till 2:00 that afternoon. being new to sailing i was afraid to leave the helm for fear the boat would tip over while i was lowering the jib and main. All in all it was a wilde ride, but i must say it was a little more than I bargined for.
I went sailing on Harvye Lake in NE. PA. It was the Sunday before Labor Day, the morning wind was normal so I set the main and jib, then it got exciting, the wind picked up onto the 10-20 mph range and did not slow down till 2:00 that afternoon. being new to sailing i was afraid to leave the helm for fear the boat would tip over while i was lowering the jib and main. All in all it was a wilde ride, but i must say it was a little more than I bargined for.
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Paul Bednarzyk
NOAA Lied
This past Memorial Day Weekend, we took a trip to St Augustine. The weather forecast was for winds out of the southeast at 10 kts and seas of 3 feet. Well, it was like that for the first hour, then the wind picked up to about 20 kts and the seas built to 4-6 feet with an occasional 8' thrown in for good measure. My 380 took the waves better than some of the crew. The three guys did well, two of the women became sick, and my wife was just uncomfortable. Although uncomfortable, the boat never gave me cause for concern. The furling main was a god-send. To reef, I headed up about 10 degrees adn furled about a third of the main and about 4 feet of the jib and reset our course. No muss or fuss, and no one had to leave the safety of the cockpit. We managed to make the 30 mile trip in only five hours and managed to pass a couple of boats participating in a race that started about an hour before we did. Not bad for "barge" (as the new Hunters were referred to on another list). Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
This past Memorial Day Weekend, we took a trip to St Augustine. The weather forecast was for winds out of the southeast at 10 kts and seas of 3 feet. Well, it was like that for the first hour, then the wind picked up to about 20 kts and the seas built to 4-6 feet with an occasional 8' thrown in for good measure. My 380 took the waves better than some of the crew. The three guys did well, two of the women became sick, and my wife was just uncomfortable. Although uncomfortable, the boat never gave me cause for concern. The furling main was a god-send. To reef, I headed up about 10 degrees adn furled about a third of the main and about 4 feet of the jib and reset our course. No muss or fuss, and no one had to leave the safety of the cockpit. We managed to make the 30 mile trip in only five hours and managed to pass a couple of boats participating in a race that started about an hour before we did. Not bad for "barge" (as the new Hunters were referred to on another list). Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
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Wes Zimmerman
Hunter 25 in 15 to 20 Knots
I have spent several windy days on the Chesapeake with my Hunter 25. High wind and big seas are nail biters but isnt that why we sail? I know it is one of the main reasons i do. Like in the movie "Message In A Bottle" man is called to the sea to test his fortitude. Stand up against what is sane for the insane(which isnt a bad thing sometimes) Try to controll the uncontrollable for the short time you can stand it. Trust in your judgement enough to make a tough (sometimes life threatening) decision in the blink of an eye. Its called living in my life and I dont ever want to lose that fear and excitement that comes from the big wind. Never sail outside your own........
I have spent several windy days on the Chesapeake with my Hunter 25. High wind and big seas are nail biters but isnt that why we sail? I know it is one of the main reasons i do. Like in the movie "Message In A Bottle" man is called to the sea to test his fortitude. Stand up against what is sane for the insane(which isnt a bad thing sometimes) Try to controll the uncontrollable for the short time you can stand it. Trust in your judgement enough to make a tough (sometimes life threatening) decision in the blink of an eye. Its called living in my life and I dont ever want to lose that fear and excitement that comes from the big wind. Never sail outside your own........
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Torrence JJenkins
Perfect Conditions
Wes hit the nail on the head. I agree whole hearted. I usually find myself single handing in weather most bigger boats won't even go out in. I also spend alot on equipment. Not because I break it, but because I want reliable equipment when I am out there. I also like to over rate some of my tackle. Don't forget the better the wind the larger the waves. I have a great deal, as I sail on Guntersville, which is a large lake on the Tenn River. So waves rarely top the 3' range, even though it may be blowing 20 knots. Cheers TJ H26.5 "Flash"
Wes hit the nail on the head. I agree whole hearted. I usually find myself single handing in weather most bigger boats won't even go out in. I also spend alot on equipment. Not because I break it, but because I want reliable equipment when I am out there. I also like to over rate some of my tackle. Don't forget the better the wind the larger the waves. I have a great deal, as I sail on Guntersville, which is a large lake on the Tenn River. So waves rarely top the 3' range, even though it may be blowing 20 knots. Cheers TJ H26.5 "Flash"
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Mickey McHugh
WHITE Squall
While out for a weekend sail on our 40.5 in 10 knot winds, a huge thunderstorm popped up on Galveston Bay and by the time we rolled up the 155 genoa, a WHITE squall line was approaching so fast I only had minutes to get that big main down. I let the halyard go as I headed to the boom (I always keep 2 sail ties in my pockets when day sailing) and due to our Dutchman, the sail was lying on the boom in near perfect folds. I got the ties on as 50 to 60 kt winds blasted Yaga as Debbie turned into them. Under power at 2300 RPM we could only do 1 knot! A Catalina 380 'sailed' by with flogging jib and its sheets flying out in a huge knot and her fully raised main flogging as the boom kept hitting the water! Seas went from < 1 foot to over 4 foot chop in 5 minutes of pure hell and then it was over just as quick. Unreal is the best way to describe it. Be sure to practice hand signals with your crew because in conditions like that you can't hear even yourself yelling in the wind. Yes....we yelled alot but so did those guys on the Catalina ;')
While out for a weekend sail on our 40.5 in 10 knot winds, a huge thunderstorm popped up on Galveston Bay and by the time we rolled up the 155 genoa, a WHITE squall line was approaching so fast I only had minutes to get that big main down. I let the halyard go as I headed to the boom (I always keep 2 sail ties in my pockets when day sailing) and due to our Dutchman, the sail was lying on the boom in near perfect folds. I got the ties on as 50 to 60 kt winds blasted Yaga as Debbie turned into them. Under power at 2300 RPM we could only do 1 knot! A Catalina 380 'sailed' by with flogging jib and its sheets flying out in a huge knot and her fully raised main flogging as the boom kept hitting the water! Seas went from < 1 foot to over 4 foot chop in 5 minutes of pure hell and then it was over just as quick. Unreal is the best way to describe it. Be sure to practice hand signals with your crew because in conditions like that you can't hear even yourself yelling in the wind. Yes....we yelled alot but so did those guys on the Catalina ;')
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Chris Stone
November in New England
The worst I've been in with my Hunter 30 was last year (our first year owning the boat) when my brother and I sailed the boat from Mystic, CT to New Bedford, MA. It's about a 70 mile sail and we did it the Monday after THANKSGIVING. OK, not the greatest idea. Small craft warnings in Long Island Sound and 30-40 knots off the ocean with 8-12 foot seas once we were in open water. Fortunately, we were on a broad reach the whole way. We quickly discovered that our roller furling jib was not roller reefing and continued under reefed main alone. We made the trip in under 9 hours averaging about 8 knots. All in all, it was pretty hairy. We almost broached a couple of times. We did shred the protective luff covering on the jib as we furled it back in but otherwise we did OK. We have since decided to add another set of reef points to the main and update to a new roller REEFING system. The boat handled it fine. It sailed pretty well under main alone. We, on the other hand, were a bit frazzled.
The worst I've been in with my Hunter 30 was last year (our first year owning the boat) when my brother and I sailed the boat from Mystic, CT to New Bedford, MA. It's about a 70 mile sail and we did it the Monday after THANKSGIVING. OK, not the greatest idea. Small craft warnings in Long Island Sound and 30-40 knots off the ocean with 8-12 foot seas once we were in open water. Fortunately, we were on a broad reach the whole way. We quickly discovered that our roller furling jib was not roller reefing and continued under reefed main alone. We made the trip in under 9 hours averaging about 8 knots. All in all, it was pretty hairy. We almost broached a couple of times. We did shred the protective luff covering on the jib as we furled it back in but otherwise we did OK. We have since decided to add another set of reef points to the main and update to a new roller REEFING system. The boat handled it fine. It sailed pretty well under main alone. We, on the other hand, were a bit frazzled.
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Jim McCue
Strong Wind
About 13 years ago my wife and I had similar experience. Luckily, I noticed the dark front coming on and had barely enough time to drop sails. We were in a rather narrow channel approaching a bridge (which closed down just when we were about to pass "-thanks NJ bridge operator -you've done it again"). I spun the wheel, came about and we soon found ourselves with toerails in the water as we were hit (no sails up !) broadsides by the front. We couldn't go head-on it brecause of the narrow channel. Later that day we heard on the news that a 50 mph had come thru cause some damage in the area. Will always remember to watch for these characteristics when I'm out there!
About 13 years ago my wife and I had similar experience. Luckily, I noticed the dark front coming on and had barely enough time to drop sails. We were in a rather narrow channel approaching a bridge (which closed down just when we were about to pass "-thanks NJ bridge operator -you've done it again"). I spun the wheel, came about and we soon found ourselves with toerails in the water as we were hit (no sails up !) broadsides by the front. We couldn't go head-on it brecause of the narrow channel. Later that day we heard on the news that a 50 mph had come thru cause some damage in the area. Will always remember to watch for these characteristics when I'm out there!
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Morris Thorpe
hunter in rough seas
sail area lake erie buffalo in this lake 14,000 ship have sunk. so has you can see it gets rough in this lake its not like the sea with it long swell, lake erie is short and high. i found that the forward hatch leaked so i had them replace with bomar hatchs that stoped the leaks. the boat take the wave really good. meny times i have taken on green water. also for some reason it also has the three sisters or some people call them the widow makers. thats three waves that are higher than the rest comes rolling across the lake and meny boat have capsize or sunk because of them
sail area lake erie buffalo in this lake 14,000 ship have sunk. so has you can see it gets rough in this lake its not like the sea with it long swell, lake erie is short and high. i found that the forward hatch leaked so i had them replace with bomar hatchs that stoped the leaks. the boat take the wave really good. meny times i have taken on green water. also for some reason it also has the three sisters or some people call them the widow makers. thats three waves that are higher than the rest comes rolling across the lake and meny boat have capsize or sunk because of them
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Rick Donkersgoed
drifing the night away
Charter a 1999 brand new Hunter this past summer . Anchored for this first night and had to go through a thunder storm which was more of fire works than a storm. The next night the forcast was for more thunder storms and with 45 knot winds . Not real knowing the speed of that kind of wind we went to bed . As the storm approached we found out in a hurry , our anchor let go. Talk about being sacred, dark,raining like , lightning & thunder and lost. We did manage to get control and re anchor with the help of some fellow boaters but never slept a wink again that night.
Charter a 1999 brand new Hunter this past summer . Anchored for this first night and had to go through a thunder storm which was more of fire works than a storm. The next night the forcast was for more thunder storms and with 45 knot winds . Not real knowing the speed of that kind of wind we went to bed . As the storm approached we found out in a hurry , our anchor let go. Talk about being sacred, dark,raining like , lightning & thunder and lost. We did manage to get control and re anchor with the help of some fellow boaters but never slept a wink again that night.
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Bruce Copland
Monsterwaves and very little H30
In 1977 we were arrested in Cuba aftergetting far too close in a Hunter 30 on its delivery voyage to Grand Cayman ex Florida via the Yucatan. After a very harrowing 72 hours under armed guard we were released without warning (and without weather warning) to the 12 mile limit and told to go without coming close to Cuba again! We proceeded into a huge cyclonic low whic chased us as we tryed to sail out of its way and after 48 hours of monstrous seas - lost the liferaft, dinghy, man overboard gear (useless stuff when I think on it now) we finally stopped trying to beat into it, turned tail and ran towards Cozumel. All dead reckoning - no GPS, no Sun sights and monstrous seas every so often - the classic boat lives but crew cracks up - biggest sea was a single giant wave which we surfed down at 16 knots (under storm jib) and even with 200 feet of three separate warps trailing astern - scary!!! but nothing like the horizontal lying on beam end on top of wave followed by vertical stance in wind shadow of 30' waves with spindrift drowning you. I still have the chart of that trip and still think thank God the boat was a good one - thats why I own a Hunter (bigger) today!
In 1977 we were arrested in Cuba aftergetting far too close in a Hunter 30 on its delivery voyage to Grand Cayman ex Florida via the Yucatan. After a very harrowing 72 hours under armed guard we were released without warning (and without weather warning) to the 12 mile limit and told to go without coming close to Cuba again! We proceeded into a huge cyclonic low whic chased us as we tryed to sail out of its way and after 48 hours of monstrous seas - lost the liferaft, dinghy, man overboard gear (useless stuff when I think on it now) we finally stopped trying to beat into it, turned tail and ran towards Cozumel. All dead reckoning - no GPS, no Sun sights and monstrous seas every so often - the classic boat lives but crew cracks up - biggest sea was a single giant wave which we surfed down at 16 knots (under storm jib) and even with 200 feet of three separate warps trailing astern - scary!!! but nothing like the horizontal lying on beam end on top of wave followed by vertical stance in wind shadow of 30' waves with spindrift drowning you. I still have the chart of that trip and still think thank God the boat was a good one - thats why I own a Hunter (bigger) today!
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s. frumkes
little boat, big seas
as a longtime owner of a h23, I have sailed a lot in and around the Gulf of Mexico. I have been given all the lectures from my wife about sailing in conditions that I had no business in. I sailed from Venice to Tarpon Springs in (what started as) 15-20kts with 4' seas. As we got cought in one after another squall the wind whipped up into the 25kt range with seas building to around 6-8'. The wind and seas were on my port stern and with the main reefed and no jib this boat handled it. The crew was a mess but the boat did fine. The 23 is FAR to tender to be in these conditions but if trimmed properly and handled correctly she can handle that and more. I now own a H33, wife wants more comfort, husband wants more stability.
as a longtime owner of a h23, I have sailed a lot in and around the Gulf of Mexico. I have been given all the lectures from my wife about sailing in conditions that I had no business in. I sailed from Venice to Tarpon Springs in (what started as) 15-20kts with 4' seas. As we got cought in one after another squall the wind whipped up into the 25kt range with seas building to around 6-8'. The wind and seas were on my port stern and with the main reefed and no jib this boat handled it. The crew was a mess but the boat did fine. The 23 is FAR to tender to be in these conditions but if trimmed properly and handled correctly she can handle that and more. I now own a H33, wife wants more comfort, husband wants more stability.
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Tom M
Metomorphisus from coastal to blue water
Now let's reaquaint ourselves with some facts, Hunters are not blue water boats, for one thing their companionway sills are far too low, most of them don't come with enough reef points on the main, none of them comes with safety deck jacks, or sissy bars at the mast for safe reefing, nnone come with enough manual bilge pumps especially at the helm,my boat came with 2 plastic hatches, and the fwd one opened along the fwd edge, which has been known to tear off from a large bow wave, but all these things can be remedied, even adding a bridgedeck parallel to the cockpit seats, thus reducing the companionway opening 45%, these items are all addons that will enhanse your coastal cruiser to try sailing in the blue.
Now let's reaquaint ourselves with some facts, Hunters are not blue water boats, for one thing their companionway sills are far too low, most of them don't come with enough reef points on the main, none of them comes with safety deck jacks, or sissy bars at the mast for safe reefing, nnone come with enough manual bilge pumps especially at the helm,my boat came with 2 plastic hatches, and the fwd one opened along the fwd edge, which has been known to tear off from a large bow wave, but all these things can be remedied, even adding a bridgedeck parallel to the cockpit seats, thus reducing the companionway opening 45%, these items are all addons that will enhanse your coastal cruiser to try sailing in the blue.
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Justin Wolfe
Tom you're generalizing
Tom, Careful with what you say. As stated your arguments don't add up. Many Hunters do have a bridgedeck. 37.5, 43, many of the newer boats. Reef points. I'm not aware of any manufacturer that sells a boat with more than two reef points standard. Besides that is easy to add & many sailmakers don't recommend a 3rd reef, but a trysail instead. Again, I'm aware of any manufacturer that offers a trysail. Bilge pumps. Add more. It's easy & inexpensive. I understand your agrument & yes they are important, but you can't really slight Hunter for this. Like any boat you have to "equip" it for long passages. Forward hatch. That is a good one that seems to be overlooked by nearly every manufacture nowadays. I suppose the desire to have the breeze scooped up outweighs the risk. I'm with you on this one. In fact, my boats forward hatch does open from the aft side & now I'm real glad. However, a decent hatch shouldn't be liability regardless of the direction. Are all hatches decent??? No comment... Anyway, I understand your comments, but they were just a bit too general for me. Clearly some Hunters can easily be equipped to safely cross oceans.
Tom, Careful with what you say. As stated your arguments don't add up. Many Hunters do have a bridgedeck. 37.5, 43, many of the newer boats. Reef points. I'm not aware of any manufacturer that sells a boat with more than two reef points standard. Besides that is easy to add & many sailmakers don't recommend a 3rd reef, but a trysail instead. Again, I'm aware of any manufacturer that offers a trysail. Bilge pumps. Add more. It's easy & inexpensive. I understand your agrument & yes they are important, but you can't really slight Hunter for this. Like any boat you have to "equip" it for long passages. Forward hatch. That is a good one that seems to be overlooked by nearly every manufacture nowadays. I suppose the desire to have the breeze scooped up outweighs the risk. I'm with you on this one. In fact, my boats forward hatch does open from the aft side & now I'm real glad. However, a decent hatch shouldn't be liability regardless of the direction. Are all hatches decent??? No comment... Anyway, I understand your comments, but they were just a bit too general for me. Clearly some Hunters can easily be equipped to safely cross oceans.
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Mickey McHugh
40.5 Specifics
Sure, some Hunters may not have all the features a blue water boat should have as recommended by Tom (that I listed below). If a boat doesn’t have some of them then, as he suggested, they can be remedied/added. I added my comments on my 40.5 features and my plans for additions for her. Tom’s Blue Water comments on Hunter sailboats with my comments on the 40.5. 1) their companionway sills are far too low, - 40.5 has only 2 companionway boards and a high bridge deck. - Cockpit has an aft passage to the transom that will cause it to immediately drain. (its walk-through transom and large ladder is a scuba diver’s dream. The large aft ladder has proven itself as a great way to recover a diver or MOB.) 2) most of them don't come with enough reef points on the main, - 40.5 has 2 points. The boom has the capacity for a third control line, but the extra control line would be difficult to lead aft to the cockpit. I plan to add a track on the mast for a storm tri-sail. 3) none of them come with safety deck jacks, - Purchased at the marine store and connected them to the aluminum toe rail. - ( I think a perforated toe rail is very functional and good looking) 4) none of them come sissy bars at the mast for safe reefing, - Would be nice when putting the sail-ties on the mainsail or using a storm tri-sail. I have no problem reefing from the cockpit so I rarely go to the mast. If I add an inner stay with a staysail, bars would be very useful. - Hunters that do not have winches mounted at the mast would not need the bars. 5) none come with enough manual bilge pumps especially at the helm - 40.5 has a large one right next to the wheel. - Should a boat have 2 or more? I added a second large bilge pump; in addition, if you have water over the sole then turn on any shower sumps you have. 40.5 has 2. 6) Tom's boat came with 2 plastic hatches, - 40.5 might have too many plastic (Lexan) hatches (9), but the light & ventilation below is so nice. My wife did not care for the dark cabins on the blue water boats we looked at. - 40.5 does not come with any means to provide good below deck ventilation while underway. (any suggestions?) 7) the fwd hatches opened along the fwd edge, which has been known to tear off from a large bow wave, - 40.5 fwd hatch has 2 dogs on the fwd edge and 1 dog on each side. Hatch is metal framed and has a very low profile so wave forces across the hatch should be less. - It provides good ventilation at anchor by facing fwd.
Sure, some Hunters may not have all the features a blue water boat should have as recommended by Tom (that I listed below). If a boat doesn’t have some of them then, as he suggested, they can be remedied/added. I added my comments on my 40.5 features and my plans for additions for her. Tom’s Blue Water comments on Hunter sailboats with my comments on the 40.5. 1) their companionway sills are far too low, - 40.5 has only 2 companionway boards and a high bridge deck. - Cockpit has an aft passage to the transom that will cause it to immediately drain. (its walk-through transom and large ladder is a scuba diver’s dream. The large aft ladder has proven itself as a great way to recover a diver or MOB.) 2) most of them don't come with enough reef points on the main, - 40.5 has 2 points. The boom has the capacity for a third control line, but the extra control line would be difficult to lead aft to the cockpit. I plan to add a track on the mast for a storm tri-sail. 3) none of them come with safety deck jacks, - Purchased at the marine store and connected them to the aluminum toe rail. - ( I think a perforated toe rail is very functional and good looking) 4) none of them come sissy bars at the mast for safe reefing, - Would be nice when putting the sail-ties on the mainsail or using a storm tri-sail. I have no problem reefing from the cockpit so I rarely go to the mast. If I add an inner stay with a staysail, bars would be very useful. - Hunters that do not have winches mounted at the mast would not need the bars. 5) none come with enough manual bilge pumps especially at the helm - 40.5 has a large one right next to the wheel. - Should a boat have 2 or more? I added a second large bilge pump; in addition, if you have water over the sole then turn on any shower sumps you have. 40.5 has 2. 6) Tom's boat came with 2 plastic hatches, - 40.5 might have too many plastic (Lexan) hatches (9), but the light & ventilation below is so nice. My wife did not care for the dark cabins on the blue water boats we looked at. - 40.5 does not come with any means to provide good below deck ventilation while underway. (any suggestions?) 7) the fwd hatches opened along the fwd edge, which has been known to tear off from a large bow wave, - 40.5 fwd hatch has 2 dogs on the fwd edge and 1 dog on each side. Hatch is metal framed and has a very low profile so wave forces across the hatch should be less. - It provides good ventilation at anchor by facing fwd.
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Don H.
Big seas invigorating in Legend 37.5
I have sailed my Legend 37.5 13,000 nautical miles over the last three years. A few thousand of those miles were sailed in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Galveston, Texas. Because of the shallow water (70 feet deep 35 miles offshore), the wave pattern is short, steep and confused. This is much different than the regular long rolling swells of the open ocean. When the seas build up to 10 to 13 feet (the maximum I have experienced), I find the Legend 37.5 to be seaworthy and provides an exhilarating ride. The fine entry of the bow and the straight sheer tend to make the bow bury in the waves. The 70 gallons of water in tank under the forward berth helps to bury the bow. More than once, I have taken green water over the deck and cabin top. The solid sheet of water runs across the companionway hatch and does a two-level cascade onto the bridge deck and cockpit floor. The open transom to the swim platform is a definite plus. The cockpit drains in 2 seconds or less, but remember to keep the aft cabin cockpit ports closed. I admit that I drive the boat hard for the thrill of maximum performance. It can be hard on the crew and therefore I find I do a lot of solo sailing. My major complaint is that all five of the plexiglass cabin hatches leaked. The two that are on either side of the mast are particularly troublesome. For a proper offshore yacht, these hatches should be replaced with metal framed hatches. I estimate $3,000 plus labor should solve the problem. A minor complaint is that the original bow running lights "blow off" under the water pressure when the bow pulpit goes underwater. The snap on lens (Hella brand) is great for convienience when replacing light bulbs, but is totally unsatisfactory for heavy seas that bury the bow pulpit. I replaced the running lights with Aqua Signal (bolt on lens). They are much more durable. My opinion is that the Hunter 37.5 is a marginal "bluewater" cruiser. Perhaps it is better classified as a coastal cruiser. (The Hunter brochure billed it as a performace cruiser.) Daysailing, weekend cruises and coastal cruising are why I bought my Hunter. It is perfect for that. Maybe a Valiant 40 would be better for crossing the Atlantic. Don H.
I have sailed my Legend 37.5 13,000 nautical miles over the last three years. A few thousand of those miles were sailed in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Galveston, Texas. Because of the shallow water (70 feet deep 35 miles offshore), the wave pattern is short, steep and confused. This is much different than the regular long rolling swells of the open ocean. When the seas build up to 10 to 13 feet (the maximum I have experienced), I find the Legend 37.5 to be seaworthy and provides an exhilarating ride. The fine entry of the bow and the straight sheer tend to make the bow bury in the waves. The 70 gallons of water in tank under the forward berth helps to bury the bow. More than once, I have taken green water over the deck and cabin top. The solid sheet of water runs across the companionway hatch and does a two-level cascade onto the bridge deck and cockpit floor. The open transom to the swim platform is a definite plus. The cockpit drains in 2 seconds or less, but remember to keep the aft cabin cockpit ports closed. I admit that I drive the boat hard for the thrill of maximum performance. It can be hard on the crew and therefore I find I do a lot of solo sailing. My major complaint is that all five of the plexiglass cabin hatches leaked. The two that are on either side of the mast are particularly troublesome. For a proper offshore yacht, these hatches should be replaced with metal framed hatches. I estimate $3,000 plus labor should solve the problem. A minor complaint is that the original bow running lights "blow off" under the water pressure when the bow pulpit goes underwater. The snap on lens (Hella brand) is great for convienience when replacing light bulbs, but is totally unsatisfactory for heavy seas that bury the bow pulpit. I replaced the running lights with Aqua Signal (bolt on lens). They are much more durable. My opinion is that the Hunter 37.5 is a marginal "bluewater" cruiser. Perhaps it is better classified as a coastal cruiser. (The Hunter brochure billed it as a performace cruiser.) Daysailing, weekend cruises and coastal cruising are why I bought my Hunter. It is perfect for that. Maybe a Valiant 40 would be better for crossing the Atlantic. Don H.
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Ron Hughes
Response to "Owners tackle tough seas"Vents
Please look back at my article called "Ventilation, a breath of fresh air" specifically the part about powered venting through the aft cabin stern vents. Ron
Please look back at my article called "Ventilation, a breath of fresh air" specifically the part about powered venting through the aft cabin stern vents. Ron
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