Hello, I am retiring in a month and want to live my dream of sail boating in the Caribean. I think I want a Hunter Vision but am unsure. I just want to move from island to island and relax. I will be alone so I need a user friendly boat. My sailing experience is limited to Hobie Cats so I intend to attend an extensive sailing school. Please help me with any advise or cautions, encouragement, dangers, etc. My price range is $35,000 or less. Im poor but the nicest guy in the world. I lost my wife in May so I really need help and encouragement. Thank you all much! ken
Please help with a virgin purchase
- Thread starter KGhowle
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Welcome Ken
You'll get a better idea of what your specific requirements in a boat are after you do some training. The biggest problem novices make is buying based on romantic perceptions of cruising rather than the more realistic view expressed by experienced cruisers as "fixing a boat in different places".
Keep your eyes open at a wide variety of boats that fit your budget and have been well maintained rather than focus on one specific model.
You'll get a better idea of what your specific requirements in a boat are after you do some training. The biggest problem novices make is buying based on romantic perceptions of cruising rather than the more realistic view expressed by experienced cruisers as "fixing a boat in different places".
Keep your eyes open at a wide variety of boats that fit your budget and have been well maintained rather than focus on one specific model.
Two suggestions:
1. www.sailingmates.com has very good resource material that can help you determine what type of boat you are looking for ... and help you evaluate (pre-survey) boats that are for sale.
2. The Singlehanded Sailing Society has published a Tips Book. It is an excellent resource for outfitting your boat for singlehanded sailing, as well as a singlehanded "how to" manual. http://sfbaysss.org/tipsbook/
Hi Ken, I'm sorry for your loss.KGhowle said:
I was where you are a year ago and narrowed my search down to a Hunter Vision for my first boat also. I bought a Hunter 32 in Pensacola, back in December, and sailed her straight for the Keys. Had a fantastic winter on Her (I'm hooked)
it was just what the doctor ordered! In my opinion the vision is a great boat to single hand, make sure your get one with an electric winch, I'm told the mainsail is comparable to that of a 40' and I could see it could be a chore to hoist without. The salon is very roomy and comfortable, And I sleep like a baby in the aft "state room". Mine has all the goodies (reverse cycle AC, refrigeration, diesel generator, Ray Marine and Garmin) A good dingy is a must too. You'll want to buy one equipped it will cost more then the boat is worth to equip one after the fact. She sail's great, points like a bird dog, On a run that big main can blanket the tiny jib though. I spent some time in 12' sea's and she handled well I felt, she's certainly not a blue water boat but she held her own. She motors @ 5.5-6 knots burning .5 gallons an hour, throw a couple Jerry cans in the stern lockers and you can motor 300 miles. (I've done it) You can push it to almost 8 knots on the motor but it's not worth doubling the fuel burn. The downside of the 32 vision is tankage and the forward v berth is a bit small for adult guest. 45 gallons of water isn't even close to enough and when family and friends visit they are going to be mighty crowed in the V berth. Often times guest would just sleep in the salon which is comfortable. I've though about adding a small water maker and if I keep her I will but I clearly need a larger boat to accommodate guest so I'm looking to move up which means my 32 is going to be for sale. My boat lost the mast a few years back in a hurricane (previous owner) and was not repaired properly, the mast did hold with a 4" sleeve for over 5 years... I have no idea how!!! I'm replacing the mast and have the utmost confidence in the unstayed rig and love the clean deck. If that mast will hold up to some of the conditions I found myself in with a 4" sleeve holding it together there is no reason a proper unstayed mast would ever let you down. Anyhow all in all a great boat just not big enough for me, I'd like to get aboard a vision 36 sometime... That just might do the trick for me. Best, Troy
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