We are looking at a cruising boat for 2 people doing trade wind sailing. We will be crossing from SC to the Med, cruise the Med, French & British canals then return to the Caribbean. Is a 2003-2005 Hunter Passage 420cc appropriate for this type of cruising? What faults does the boat have that would be of concern? We both love the layout and storage but are concerned that the boat is not well enough built for this type of sailing.
Passage 420 appropriate for open ocean cruising
- Thread starter Velero23904
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My 2 cents
The 420 has a CE rating of A, meaning it is certified for open ocean. I think the 420 is built well enough, but you might not have as comfortable a ride in rough seas as with a heavier boat. Once you get there, though, it has one of the best layouts for comfortable living (In the spirit of full disclosure, I own a 420 and like it very much).
The 420 has a CE rating of A, meaning it is certified for open ocean. I think the 420 is built well enough, but you might not have as comfortable a ride in rough seas as with a heavier boat. Once you get there, though, it has one of the best layouts for comfortable living (In the spirit of full disclosure, I own a 420 and like it very much).
I wouldn't take mine....
I love my 420 and would not trade here for ANY other boat for coastal cruising (except maybe 450), but I wouldn't cross an ocean on her or other similar production boat with spade rudder, fin keel, light fittings etc.... I 'semi' crossed the Gulf of Mexico last week and would definitely take her down to the Bahamas or Carribbean without a 2nd thought, but not across the Atlantic... areas I'd have concerns about: Steering system seems weak My prop strut snapped off last year Lifelines and stanchions seem light Standing rigging seems light Also, I wonder if a B & R rig is appropriate for extended downwind sailing due to mainsail chafe on spreaders? cheers!
I love my 420 and would not trade here for ANY other boat for coastal cruising (except maybe 450), but I wouldn't cross an ocean on her or other similar production boat with spade rudder, fin keel, light fittings etc.... I 'semi' crossed the Gulf of Mexico last week and would definitely take her down to the Bahamas or Carribbean without a 2nd thought, but not across the Atlantic... areas I'd have concerns about: Steering system seems weak My prop strut snapped off last year Lifelines and stanchions seem light Standing rigging seems light Also, I wonder if a B & R rig is appropriate for extended downwind sailing due to mainsail chafe on spreaders? cheers!
Atlantic
I brought my Hunter 34 across to the UK last year. The weather was poor but the boat went really well. I had a simrad wheel pilot which failed after a couple of days but after 6 rebuilds it's now fine. Rebuilding autopilots in the ocean is not easy but thats gthe kind of thing you may have to do. I left Norfolk VA 9th June and arrived La Rochelle 28 June. had a week stopover in Bermuda and another week in the Azores. I'm sure the passage 42 would be fine. Just make sure you know your boat really well and take it easy. Its not a race.
I brought my Hunter 34 across to the UK last year. The weather was poor but the boat went really well. I had a simrad wheel pilot which failed after a couple of days but after 6 rebuilds it's now fine. Rebuilding autopilots in the ocean is not easy but thats gthe kind of thing you may have to do. I left Norfolk VA 9th June and arrived La Rochelle 28 June. had a week stopover in Bermuda and another week in the Azores. I'm sure the passage 42 would be fine. Just make sure you know your boat really well and take it easy. Its not a race.
Deja Vu!
According to the archives, this same "owner," NautiMoments, posted once before, in June of 2007, starting a thread titled wondering whether the Hunter 340 was capable of ocean crossings. My guess is that he'll be back in June of '09, wondering whether the H49 is truly a bluewater yacht. Check it out on the link below:
According to the archives, this same "owner," NautiMoments, posted once before, in June of 2007, starting a thread titled wondering whether the Hunter 340 was capable of ocean crossings. My guess is that he'll be back in June of '09, wondering whether the H49 is truly a bluewater yacht. Check it out on the link below:
Well "newly",
at least he's movin' up you know.... "well, if you liked a 340, you'll love a 420" ... and a 49 will make you ......
at least he's movin' up you know.... "well, if you liked a 340, you'll love a 420" ... and a 49 will make you ......
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