Please help me pick a boat

[Skipper Chris]

I know, sail them all and pick one... But I need some input from those that have far more knowledge than myself.

I am looking at the around 100k Hunters from 42 through 46 feet. They are all nice, they would all work for just my wife and I, most of the time - with the occasional cockpit and topside full of friends and family. Mostly just us two down below overnight with an occasional week long visit from another couple. We plan to cruise the bottom off in the winters from Florida through the Caribbean, not so much for the marina life. I have read things from "The 42 Passage is the toughest boat Hunter ever made nothing else compares!" to "Get the biggest, newest boat your budget will buy", which in our case opens up the 44AC and DS through the 46. As we would also prefer something with a bit of speed I have looked at the ratings and most of them look similar on paper.

Give me some real input Hunter folks, is the 42 Passage built that much better than the rest? If you were to choose between it and say a 10 year newer deck salon what would you buy?

Thank you for the input.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

If I am correct, the 42s are center cockpit whereas the others you mention, with one exception, are not. Big differences in terms of layout and sailing position.

 

[Skipper Chris]

If I am correct, the 42s are center cockpit whereas the others you mention, with one exception, are not. Big differences in terms of layout and sailing position.

Yes Don the larger Hunters are both center and aft cockpit. I can think of pro and con to either. Really looking for input as to which of them are possibly the better boat as any will work for us. I just mentioned the 42 Passage, 44 and 46. The range of models within our budget is large.
Thanks for your input

 

[Sailgunner]

Don't forget mast height. 64 + and you cannot get in the ICW. Standard bridge height is 65'. Also keel depth is a major issue.

 

[JamesG161]

We did the same research as you for the same reasons and sailing/cruising desires, in 2013.
The Admiral preferred the center cockpit from a more spacious owners cabin. We found for 4 on lets say cruises of a week or less, 42+ were great. One of our SBO members, ( Monty VM ) with the same model/year boat as my H430, has logged 25k+ miles from Alaska to the Keys. He told me she took ≈20' foot seas with no problems and that you can't put the rails in the water. I would think most Hunters, in the size you are looking, have similar performance.

For minimizing marina life....
1) On board Reverse Osmosis water maker. (rumor has Bahamian water costs more than diesel).
2) Large diesel storage tank or place for additional tank (Jerry cans) storage.
3) One solar/wind power source.
4) Safety equipment (radar, sonar, sat phone, jack lines, EPIRBs ?)
5) Service dinghy ( pssst they are essentially free, if part of the deal)

I found boats 42+ kept about the same beam but added more space in the cabins. Draft considerations on 50+ boats.

Happy shopping and living the dream...
Jim...

 

[geek_guy]

I think all the models you mention are decent boats. They will all be able to function for you. The 42 stronger, could be, and it is a popular model. But when we went aboard it simply didn't have the appeal that the 45 had. It is a personal thing. Go and see which one/ones you both like. Weigh those reactions carefully. The shopping can be great fun.

We just looked at a 42 in Placida which is close to you. There is also a beautiful 45 in St Pete. Also talking with the owners and brokers will be educational.

 

[Skipper Chris]

Thanks for your input guys. We have seen a few of them, They will all work, we are not fussy people. I guess if I had to start picking nits the master head on the 42 Passage is a bit tight for my ex linebacker with the start of a tummy frame. The center vs app cockpit is a conundrum, the center gives you a nice lounge right in back, the aft on a 44 or 45 can fit 13 or better of your favorite people. I guess if build quality is not the difference maker I thought it could possibly be it just comes down to a deal on a taken care of unit with most of the equipment we will use.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Thanks for your input guys. We have seen a few of them, They will all work, we are not fussy people. I guess if I had to start picking nits the master head on the 42 Passage is a bit tight for my ex linebacker with the start of a tummy frame. The center vs app cockpit is a conundrum, the center gives you a nice lounge right in back, the aft on a 44 or 45 can fit 13 or better of your favorite people. I guess if build quality is not the difference maker I thought it could possibly be it just comes down to a deal on a taken care of unit with most of the equipment we will use.

Another center cockpit vs. aft cockpit piece of trivia - each share the same hull on certain models obviating the 'build quality' and sailing characteristic variables.

So, back to the personal preference unanswerable question...

Find the one which is better maintained and equipped and you won't go wrong.

 

[VanIslandGuy]

Center cockpit yes or no. Decide if you want a big patio, or a big master bedroom. Sounds silly, but putting it in those terms helped us find our answer.

We aren't livaboards, the boat was about getting outdoors as much as possible. The cabin was for sleeping and is used far less than the cockpit. On our 410 we have a huge berth with limited headroom, the trade off being a bigger party zone outside that we prefer when sailing with friends. If we were livaboards or a cruising couple, we may have considered center instead. The hull form on the Hunter 410 (aft) which is what we bought, and the 420 (center), are identical. It just comes down to where you want to maximize your space as they are both great boats. Check the SA/D as on some center cockpit boats it may be less if the mast height is the same because the boom will be placed higher up to accommodate the higher profile.