I would like to hear from any of you who have made serious voyage’s in your Hunter 22. You read and hear about people sailing across the Atlantic or some such in fairly small boats, and I am curious if any of you have done something similar. Is the Hunter 22 strong enough for off shore trips? I know there are no absolutes, but given a reasonable amount of seamanship, and a break with the weather – in your opinion’s – is extended cruising possible in a Hunter 22. Thanx in advance. garyg
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NO
I wouldn't even consider it in anything under 33' for a hunter boat and I'm the nutty one. Most would never attempt it in anything Hunter or the other production boat makers make and that includes the opinion of most production boat owners. The 22 isn't strong enough. Doesn't have enough water or fuel tankage. Could you get lucky...yes...is it worth taking a 50% chance of dieing...no.
I wouldn't even consider it in anything under 33' for a hunter boat and I'm the nutty one. Most would never attempt it in anything Hunter or the other production boat makers make and that includes the opinion of most production boat owners. The 22 isn't strong enough. Doesn't have enough water or fuel tankage. Could you get lucky...yes...is it worth taking a 50% chance of dieing...no.
ocean sailing
When I take my H216 in the ocean, I never leave site of land. I basically sail parallel to the shore to take advantage of the sea breeze. I have a VHS and let someone know where I will be sailing and when I will return. I wouldn't even think about taking my boat (or an H22) on an ocean crossing. The most ambitious thing I would consider is perhaps a 20 mile trip hugging the coast from one port (or anchorage) to another.
When I take my H216 in the ocean, I never leave site of land. I basically sail parallel to the shore to take advantage of the sea breeze. I have a VHS and let someone know where I will be sailing and when I will return. I wouldn't even think about taking my boat (or an H22) on an ocean crossing. The most ambitious thing I would consider is perhaps a 20 mile trip hugging the coast from one port (or anchorage) to another.
No!
No "reasonable" skipper would take a 22 out for extended open ocean cruising. This past summer I was with a merchant marine friend who, while traveling from the Med to NYC, ran into a 65 foot rogue wave in the North Atlantic on a container ship at night. Other friends who move boats up and down the east coast always tell me of stories of garbage they almost run into that has fallen of ships or oil drilling platforms or floated out of the mouths or rivers. A smaller boat can not take this kind of punishment. On the other hand, we have such wonderful, and safe (other then for the traffic) in-land waterways. If you need a challenge, consider the Intercoastal. If you need more of a challenge, consider the Great Circle-the I/C up thru Canada and the St. Lawrence Seaway, down thru the Great Lakes and on to the Mississippi down to the Gulf and back to the I/C. If you need more goals just let me know!
No "reasonable" skipper would take a 22 out for extended open ocean cruising. This past summer I was with a merchant marine friend who, while traveling from the Med to NYC, ran into a 65 foot rogue wave in the North Atlantic on a container ship at night. Other friends who move boats up and down the east coast always tell me of stories of garbage they almost run into that has fallen of ships or oil drilling platforms or floated out of the mouths or rivers. A smaller boat can not take this kind of punishment. On the other hand, we have such wonderful, and safe (other then for the traffic) in-land waterways. If you need a challenge, consider the Intercoastal. If you need more of a challenge, consider the Great Circle-the I/C up thru Canada and the St. Lawrence Seaway, down thru the Great Lakes and on to the Mississippi down to the Gulf and back to the I/C. If you need more goals just let me know!
No penalties for Piling on
I've a 24-foot Hunter myself - you are nuts if you are thinking about a "major voyage," unless you can hug a shoreline and pick your weather. The H22 simply can't take the heat. I see you're in Maine - look out onto the ocean on a really bad day, close your eyes, and imagine being out there in an H-22. No way.
I've a 24-foot Hunter myself - you are nuts if you are thinking about a "major voyage," unless you can hug a shoreline and pick your weather. The H22 simply can't take the heat. I see you're in Maine - look out onto the ocean on a really bad day, close your eyes, and imagine being out there in an H-22. No way.
Gonna swim against the current here....
If your boat is up to the voyage all ya have to do is be able to hang on and hang in there. Getting your boat ready for this type of voyage is the hard part. From the production floor my opinion is NO hunter is ready for blue water voyaging. But any of them can be MADE ready. My 25 is well on her way to being ready. Charlie
If your boat is up to the voyage all ya have to do is be able to hang on and hang in there. Getting your boat ready for this type of voyage is the hard part. From the production floor my opinion is NO hunter is ready for blue water voyaging. But any of them can be MADE ready. My 25 is well on her way to being ready. Charlie
Check out
the recent posts by Brian on what he and Steph have done with their H25. They are not trying to cross oceans, but they have pushed a pretty small boat well beyond what most of us only dream about. If you go through the series of photos, you will see a keel modification he made. I'm guessing that is a huge deal in terms of comfort and stability (although not as much fun to look at as many of the other pictures
)
the recent posts by Brian on what he and Steph have done with their H25. They are not trying to cross oceans, but they have pushed a pretty small boat well beyond what most of us only dream about. If you go through the series of photos, you will see a keel modification he made. I'm guessing that is a huge deal in terms of comfort and stability (although not as much fun to look at as many of the other pictures
)Most boats will take more than their owners
I have about 35 years of ocean cruising experience. Most boats can take a lot more than their owners. Cape Hatteras is right off my coast and many boats get abanded when the going gets tough. They later find the boats is good condition. I have experienced a whole gale off of Cape Hatteras and many in my crew wanted to abandon the boat. Yes a 22 is small for ocean voyaging. I would guess 25-27 feet is the minimun. It really depends on how much you can take. My first boat the Albin Vega 27 held the record for the fastest passage from Europe to the US for awhile. It was well built but no more so than my current boat a 1981 Hunter 25. Just move up to this minimun if you want to go ocean sailing
I have about 35 years of ocean cruising experience. Most boats can take a lot more than their owners. Cape Hatteras is right off my coast and many boats get abanded when the going gets tough. They later find the boats is good condition. I have experienced a whole gale off of Cape Hatteras and many in my crew wanted to abandon the boat. Yes a 22 is small for ocean voyaging. I would guess 25-27 feet is the minimun. It really depends on how much you can take. My first boat the Albin Vega 27 held the record for the fastest passage from Europe to the US for awhile. It was well built but no more so than my current boat a 1981 Hunter 25. Just move up to this minimun if you want to go ocean sailing
Safer goals
I have a H22 and I wouldn't dream of taking her in the ocean. I think that I am a bit undersized when I go into the Chesapeake Bay and cruise. I have had a pretty hairy experience at Point Lookout when I was trying to re-enter the Potomac River. I have blue water coming over the bow and it was a really rough time. I really love my H22 and I have done a lot of good cruising in it (12-14 day trips etc). Mine is pretty well set up also. After cruising on it for a few years I am planning on moving up this year into the 30 foot range. More space etc. The Hunter 22 is a great little boat. It sails well and it is realitively fast. It is big for a 22.....but when you get stuck in the boat for 3 days straight for weather it gets to be a REALLY REALLY SMALL boat! If you want a challenge that is realitively safe....try a waterway like the middle Chesapeake Bay. It is a really nice area to cruise and most of the ancorages and ports are within your daily range (I figure 30 miles is a good day in a 22 foot boat).
I have a H22 and I wouldn't dream of taking her in the ocean. I think that I am a bit undersized when I go into the Chesapeake Bay and cruise. I have had a pretty hairy experience at Point Lookout when I was trying to re-enter the Potomac River. I have blue water coming over the bow and it was a really rough time. I really love my H22 and I have done a lot of good cruising in it (12-14 day trips etc). Mine is pretty well set up also. After cruising on it for a few years I am planning on moving up this year into the 30 foot range. More space etc. The Hunter 22 is a great little boat. It sails well and it is realitively fast. It is big for a 22.....but when you get stuck in the boat for 3 days straight for weather it gets to be a REALLY REALLY SMALL boat! If you want a challenge that is realitively safe....try a waterway like the middle Chesapeake Bay. It is a really nice area to cruise and most of the ancorages and ports are within your daily range (I figure 30 miles is a good day in a 22 foot boat).
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