After sailing and purchasing (3 total) sailing vessels in the last 12 years my wife and I are approaching that time we all envision. The retirement date that has eluded me, I have a question in general from those of you who have crossed this threshold of life. I wish to purchase a boat that we can live aboard and if necessary do a one time Atlantic crossing and back, but mostly do some coastal cruising and possibly Carribean stops. I know that Hunter is not considered the true Blue Water Vessel, however I have read and heard some say their only true blue water boat prior to the Helson 470 and HC50 was the Hunter Legend 45. Those built in the Mid to late 80's were considered their finest effort in that area. Relatively speaking they are quite affordable and will leave me with quite a substantial amount of money to upgrade if necessary. Having owned two H34's I am quite familiar with the capabilties of a Hunter's sailing ability in all kind of weather. What I would like to know is there any of you that have taken that step in a H45 and what is your opinion of its versatility in coastal and blue water sailing? Is it the right choice or should I go and research the TRUE blue water boat?
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Retirement Boat
My wife and I went through the process 2 years ago and after evaluating many different manufacturers products selected a Passage 450. The intent is to sail New England summer and Bahamas and Caribbean winter. The reson for our selection included live aboard space and value for $ spent as compared to other boats in the size range. The 450 is seaworthy and if you compare the various numeric parameters you will find the design reasonable (Length beam ratio, ballast ratio, capsize screen ratio etc.) Space and livability was big issue for us as most time on boat by most is at slip on mooring or at anchor. The only changes I intend to make is upgrading deck hatches. By the way, I do not consider the Helson a more blue water boat than the 460 other than the hatches. It has same hull and rig. Len Fagan Tale Winds
My wife and I went through the process 2 years ago and after evaluating many different manufacturers products selected a Passage 450. The intent is to sail New England summer and Bahamas and Caribbean winter. The reson for our selection included live aboard space and value for $ spent as compared to other boats in the size range. The 450 is seaworthy and if you compare the various numeric parameters you will find the design reasonable (Length beam ratio, ballast ratio, capsize screen ratio etc.) Space and livability was big issue for us as most time on boat by most is at slip on mooring or at anchor. The only changes I intend to make is upgrading deck hatches. By the way, I do not consider the Helson a more blue water boat than the 460 other than the hatches. It has same hull and rig. Len Fagan Tale Winds
Retirement boat
Mike, While I'm in my fourties and a fair distance from your situation, I think I'd look at an Island Packet. These boats are just rock solid! Designed to do exactly what your looking to do. Regards, Chris
Mike, While I'm in my fourties and a fair distance from your situation, I think I'd look at an Island Packet. These boats are just rock solid! Designed to do exactly what your looking to do. Regards, Chris
retirement boat
I was thinking about an Island Packet before buying and chartered one on the Chesapeake. The boat is with out question well built and rock solid and expensive. Money aside, it is a pig inlight air. Under 10 knots wind you will be motoring thru a tack or having crew walk the jib around the mast. IP 42ft.
I was thinking about an Island Packet before buying and chartered one on the Chesapeake. The boat is with out question well built and rock solid and expensive. Money aside, it is a pig inlight air. Under 10 knots wind you will be motoring thru a tack or having crew walk the jib around the mast. IP 42ft.
Well, I personally know
..people in Hunter 40.5's, 42's, 450's, Peterson 44's Catalina 42's and 45's. A 40.5 was my choice, but I don't expect to do much more than cruise Mexico. Everyone else I know in this group has taken well over a year, and done extensive offshore. We also had friends with an Islander 41. Too slow in light air and lack of pointing ability was their conclusion although the space and ability to power like a trawler was positive. Also, a couple who spent four years reworking a Westsail put it up for sale after 1500 miles because it wouldn't move in anything short of 15 knots and pitched and rolled a lot. So, I think you have plenty of choices and there are certainly plenty of others. You will find yourself busier in retirement than you ever imagined. Good luck. Well, off to Catalina! Rick D.
..people in Hunter 40.5's, 42's, 450's, Peterson 44's Catalina 42's and 45's. A 40.5 was my choice, but I don't expect to do much more than cruise Mexico. Everyone else I know in this group has taken well over a year, and done extensive offshore. We also had friends with an Islander 41. Too slow in light air and lack of pointing ability was their conclusion although the space and ability to power like a trawler was positive. Also, a couple who spent four years reworking a Westsail put it up for sale after 1500 miles because it wouldn't move in anything short of 15 knots and pitched and rolled a lot. So, I think you have plenty of choices and there are certainly plenty of others. You will find yourself busier in retirement than you ever imagined. Good luck. Well, off to Catalina! Rick D.
With regard to Island Packets!
We have quite a few pass through our Marina, heading either North or South. Most of their owners are very proud of them. But,the guy who delivers them for their SF dealership is a good friend of mine. He happened to be passing through two days ago, and I asked him what he thought of them....he is a good sailor, by the way, as opposed to a power boat delivery skipper. He really doesn't think much of their ability to go to weather....says they make far too much leeway. He has also been involved in much of their commissioning and he also notes that, on at least some of the models, all three tanks (holding, water, and fuel) are aluminum, glassed in beneath the cabin sole, with no reasonable way of removing them when they give out. While aluminum will last a long time for water, they will certainly not do so for fuel, and I think Peggy has said they are not "permanent" for sewage, either. It has to do with acids, if I recall correctly. Anyway, my buddy regards these tanks as disasters waiting to happen, for which the cure will either be to find new locations for new tanks, or else a very expensive cutting job. So.......maybe the Island Packets have a few warts, notwithstanding their excellent marketing efforts. Oh, by the way, some other friends had to do a blister job (warranty) on their IP down here in Baja, and the customer service they received was slightly worse than awful...but that is another story. For what it is worth, lots of people are happy with the Peterson 44/46, and I personally used to be the charter skipper of a 44. It had the sloop rig, not the cutter rig, and was a remarkably good sailor, despite its crab crusher appearance, and went to weather quite well, by the way. I have heard that the cutter doesn't do as well, and I have never sailed the 46. We also have lots of happy Hunter owners pass through....so go figure. Good luck on the next phase of your life.
We have quite a few pass through our Marina, heading either North or South. Most of their owners are very proud of them. But,the guy who delivers them for their SF dealership is a good friend of mine. He happened to be passing through two days ago, and I asked him what he thought of them....he is a good sailor, by the way, as opposed to a power boat delivery skipper. He really doesn't think much of their ability to go to weather....says they make far too much leeway. He has also been involved in much of their commissioning and he also notes that, on at least some of the models, all three tanks (holding, water, and fuel) are aluminum, glassed in beneath the cabin sole, with no reasonable way of removing them when they give out. While aluminum will last a long time for water, they will certainly not do so for fuel, and I think Peggy has said they are not "permanent" for sewage, either. It has to do with acids, if I recall correctly. Anyway, my buddy regards these tanks as disasters waiting to happen, for which the cure will either be to find new locations for new tanks, or else a very expensive cutting job. So.......maybe the Island Packets have a few warts, notwithstanding their excellent marketing efforts. Oh, by the way, some other friends had to do a blister job (warranty) on their IP down here in Baja, and the customer service they received was slightly worse than awful...but that is another story. For what it is worth, lots of people are happy with the Peterson 44/46, and I personally used to be the charter skipper of a 44. It had the sloop rig, not the cutter rig, and was a remarkably good sailor, despite its crab crusher appearance, and went to weather quite well, by the way. I have heard that the cutter doesn't do as well, and I have never sailed the 46. We also have lots of happy Hunter owners pass through....so go figure. Good luck on the next phase of your life.
One other thought--
I have an H-34 now and am looking toward a "retirement boat" in 4-5 years. One feature that will be important to me is to have a pilot house or raised salon on it. I think if I'm spending that much time on the boat, I'd like a place where I can see out and actually see the water, not to mention getting out of bad weather! In a standard boat, you're either in the cockpit or down below. Maybe you all have made the decision you want a traditional-layout boat, and that's fine, but I would want to consider another type, myself. I believe some pilot house boats in this size range (45') are sound, sail well, and could be taken across an ocean.
I have an H-34 now and am looking toward a "retirement boat" in 4-5 years. One feature that will be important to me is to have a pilot house or raised salon on it. I think if I'm spending that much time on the boat, I'd like a place where I can see out and actually see the water, not to mention getting out of bad weather! In a standard boat, you're either in the cockpit or down below. Maybe you all have made the decision you want a traditional-layout boat, and that's fine, but I would want to consider another type, myself. I believe some pilot house boats in this size range (45') are sound, sail well, and could be taken across an ocean.
Thanks for the input
As always the Hunter family is reliable, I want to thank all of you for your input. It will be a difficult decision, and I will look forward to researching it. I still would like some input from a H45 owner and explore that end of my eventual dream a little further. Once again thank you and hope to see all of you on the water.
As always the Hunter family is reliable, I want to thank all of you for your input. It will be a difficult decision, and I will look forward to researching it. I still would like some input from a H45 owner and explore that end of my eventual dream a little further. Once again thank you and hope to see all of you on the water.
H40 retirement vessel
I am in the same situation as you. Actually I just retired two weeks ago. I started with the idea that I would like a pilot house in the 35 foot range (my wife's idea of a big boat)as we would be liveaboards for a year . What I ended up with is a 1986 Hunter 40. The little sailing I have done on her so far has shown her to be a stable platform and surprisingly quick. Her sistership just returned from New Zealand so she should be a potential passagemaker. Good luck with your selection.
I am in the same situation as you. Actually I just retired two weeks ago. I started with the idea that I would like a pilot house in the 35 foot range (my wife's idea of a big boat)as we would be liveaboards for a year . What I ended up with is a 1986 Hunter 40. The little sailing I have done on her so far has shown her to be a stable platform and surprisingly quick. Her sistership just returned from New Zealand so she should be a potential passagemaker. Good luck with your selection.
H45
I have a H45 1987 Race and cruise it. I wouldn't trade out of it. Very stong boat and easy to sail. Though I would recommend a power winch for hosting the main. I plan to do this when I get old and tired maybe 30 years from now. We sail Lake Michigan in all kinds of weather and the boat just response, to the conditions. We have been in 50knots of wind with 12' seas and the boat just goes. Or 2knots wind and it still goes. If you want more info Email: rodsails@attbi.com
I have a H45 1987 Race and cruise it. I wouldn't trade out of it. Very stong boat and easy to sail. Though I would recommend a power winch for hosting the main. I plan to do this when I get old and tired maybe 30 years from now. We sail Lake Michigan in all kinds of weather and the boat just response, to the conditions. We have been in 50knots of wind with 12' seas and the boat just goes. Or 2knots wind and it still goes. If you want more info Email: rodsails@attbi.com
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