Second Guesses

[Eric Hartsough]

Hunter 280 is perfect for Colorado

We are on our fourth boat and feel that this was what we were looking for. The Hunter 280 is perfect for Colorado and the various winds. At Chatfield Lake, the Hunter 280 hits 6 to 7 knots with ease that my wife enjoys (she does not like heeling). The open cabin of the Hunter 280 is the last of its kind and it took us five years to figure it out. There isn't anything that we need that this boat doesn't have.

 

[Michael Froelich]

Are We Ever Satisfied?

I purchased my new Catalina 36 Mk II 4 years ago and absolutely love it. But why do I always spend so much time sitting and admiring the new Catalina 400 at all the boat shows?

 

[Steve Hunter]

Absolutely! Hunter 43

Not the best sailing rig especially in heavy seas but most of my sailing is in protected inside passages of the Pacific Northwest. Yet the boat sails remarkably well for a production boat. I looked at Catalinas originally but can say that I am happy with my final decision. Hunter gives you a lot of bang for the buck. Customer support is great, parts easilly available. The Yanmar is wonderfull. Interior space/layout is exceptional.After replacing a number of plastic parts and the CNG stove and adding forced air heat, the boat can take the riggors and demands of living aboard. I would love a bigger Hunter but the 43 is all I can manage single handling.

 

[Tom S]

Absolutely for my C36. I've been very happy

I bought it when it was a year old and had only 50 hrs on the engine.

 

[Phil Herring]

Steve - don't know if you remember Jim Bohart here

He worked for Hunter for many years, now owns a successful dealership in Los Angeles, and was a big part of this board some years ago. He swore by the 43 and sailed it in some pretty tough conditions. My favorite Bohart story was on a 43, in the Bahamas. Wind about 35 knots with gusts to 38-40, a following sea 10-12 feet, someone on board caught a serious fish (I Dorado, I think) and was having some trouble landing it in those condtions. Jim hove-to, if memory serves me, cranked up the diesel, and backed down on the fish.This is a story I would never believe if I hadn't been there. Probably says more about Bohart than the 43, but the boat handled it all just fine. At the time, it was his favorite model of the modern Hunters.

 

[Ramon]

same model, different boat

The boat model (Hunter 34) was a good choice given my personal predilictions, abilities and local sailing area. However, the boat I bought had a couple of problems that are so expensive to repair that had I known of the cost involved I would not have purchased that particular boat. The problems are a masthead light that doesn't work (connection problems within the mast which necessitate taking down the mast, etc.), fuel gauge doesn't work (cost is prohibitive to fix or to replace fuel tank), no modern galley range (again cost to remedy is much more than just the cost of a new galley). So, these problems have become part of my boat's "personality" and I just accentuate the positive (fast boat, great accomodations, light and airy cabin).Ramon

 

[Stu Jackson]

Love our C34, like Tom S Loves his C36

see the link for all the reasons whyStu

 

[Pete Dodenhoff]

I just did

I was happy enough with my ODay 272LE (and, of course, the fellowship and support of fellow ODay owners) that when the opportunity came to move up, I stayed with the brand. The new (to me) 322 should hit the water this week. It's true that ODay doesn't have the kind of corporate support you might get for Hunter, Catalina and Beneteau, but as long as fellow owners -- and D&R Marine -- are around to provide help and advice, who needs corporate backup?Will I stay with ODay when the next boat rolls around? Ask me again in 7-10 years...Pete

 

[Brett]

Benetea -oh yes!

After livingaboard our 43' Beneteau for a couple of years now we can't imagine another boat for us. The customer service has been great, the boat sails well in varying conditions, plenty of storage/headroom, 3 cabins, lotsa tank cap. No need to change boats.

 

[David Faulkner]

Change...only if the boat was free

I absolutely love my Columbia Contender, but would love the same boat 6 feet bigger even more! It is a GREAT boat and sails very well in all kinds of weather but the accomodations are sparse and for someone like me who is 6'4" there is absolutely no headroom. The bunks are all large enough, but you almost have to crawl to get into the V-berths. I'd recommend a Columbia 24 to anyone, but a 30'Boat is much more comfortable.

 

[agolden]

We have owned our C36 ('93) for 8 years now and have really enjoyed her...but this past spring, we almost opted for a '90-C42, and I am glad we didn't. In reality, it would have more than my wife and I could handle, regardles of the extra space. Instead, we upgraded several items and couldn't be happier.

 

[Todd Alt]

Made the Right Choice

I have had my Oday 28 for 12 years, it is the second Oday that I have owned, and for my money it would have been tough to get a better boat. I have always liked Odays (pre Pearson) and have favored their look, sailing characteristics, and general design over other production boats of a similar price range. Every year I become more satisfied with my choice. I didn't spend a lot of money on the boat initially, and I have been able to dump money into improvments over the years without taxing my financial situation. I have never experienced a system failure of any kind on this boat - it has never let me down. The boat as it sits right now is totally set-up to my maximum requirements with all new sails, bimini, dodger, electronics, etc. About 7 or 8 years ago I might have purchased another boat, but I am glad that I didn't because I simply wouldn't have gotten my money out of the bigger investment. The Oday 28 is large as 28 footers go, and it provides plenty of room for my wife, myself and my dog. I am letting the boat sit in the cradle this year to pursue other interests and catch up with other obligations that have been on the back burner for fifteen summers. I can afford to just let it sit and wait on me to decide when to use it again whereas if I had purchased a new big boat I would have felt like I had to sail it even if I needed a break. I am so glad that I didn't spend more money on a bigger boat - it is one of the only times I have ever used my head and been practical about anything.

 

[Kay]

No Way

Being new to the sailing world, nobody ever warned us to stay away from a boat previously used as a live-aboard. Wish someone had told us how electrical systems could have been modified, or how easy it was to overlook regular maintenance of shrouds and rigging, when the boat was never moved!

 

[Jeff M21319]

You bet I would...

she's been a good boat to learn on, didn't cost much at all to purchase, and has been a ton of fun! I know some people think the Macs are kind of cheaply built, and in some regards they are, but by and large she's been a great boat for the money, really easy to launch, rig and trailer, plenty stout for my use, and a fine introduction to sailing. Even when I upgrade in a few years to something in the 32-36' range for more serious off-shore travels, I'll keep my little Mac for lake and bay sailing, just because she does what she does so well.

 

[jeff 14640]

Absolutely!!

Our 88 Catalina 22 was the perfect boat for me to sharpen dulled skills on and to introduce my wife and step daughters to sailing on. Not to mention that the previous owner took excellent care of her and she needed very little when we bought her. Unfortunately we have now out grown her size wise, and we are upgrading to a larger boat, anybody interested in a nice used C22?

 

[Jim]

Catalina 34 mk1

Almost a year with our 91 Catalina 34. We were looking at mid 40 sized boats, but bought this Catalina 34 instead and have been very satified so far. Have had several dealings with Catalina and have always gotten good response and prompt replys. Also the Catalina 34 Website has been invaluable. Nothing like haveing lots of folks with the same boat that are willing to share experiences and tips.

 

[Karen Walker]

Yes, we are VERY PLEASED with our Pearson 35.

Our Pearson 35 is a 1973. We were lucky enough to buy her for $12,000. She had 6 sails all in very good condition. Her interior was in the process of a remodel which included new ultra suede cushions and the port side of the main salon had new teak trim and the sides coverd with white bead and baton type wood.The boat still has the original Atomic 4 which had been rebuilt two years earlier. It has fresh water cooling so with proper maintainence we plan to continue using it until it dies. The hull still has the original gelcoat which still looks great (especially after using a fiberglass restorer like New Glass 2). Stancions have been reinforced. The top deck has been painted. All and all we love the boat. We can go almost anywhere (3'8" draft with the board up) and the boat handles very stiff breezes comfortably. The cabin is very roomy with 6'2" head room, even in the V-berth. Hot and cold pressurized water, make for a comfortable stay for a weekend or longer. Sure, we have seen newer more modern boats that are very beautiful but at well over $150,00 to $389.000 for a simular size boat that would allow us to do the same kind of sailing in comfort, I am still glad that we have our classic Pearson ( and no boat payments).

 

[shekinahsailor]

I have personified my boat

Wife and I've had 5 boats in our 10 years of sailing. The current is a '98 Catalina 34 that we've now had for 4 years and don't see a need to change. Our sailing waters are the Pacific NW. Our two footitish almost got us last year when we lined up a buyer for our boat, BUT then we got smart. We realized the C34 meets our needs and was the first boat we personified and talked to like a lady. We couldn't part with her. She has beautiful lines, sails well, has a well ventilated, bright cabin, roomy cockpit and has had no unplanned maintenance problems(after we upgraded the electric system). The Universal 35 pushes us against the Columbia River current and still fires up instantly even in the coldest weather. We did modify various interior design issues to our liking but now can honestly say (without crossing our fingers) that she will probably be our last sailboat.

 

[Chuck]

Beneteau 235

So far it has been a GREAT decision ... accomodations of a much larger boat and handling and expence of a small one...

 

[Roland Montas]

Sabre 28- the cutting edge

save the draft, this baby really flies. So far, the Sabre has met and surpassed all expectations. I had been searching for her for close to ten years and I must say that the wait was mouth watering....