Taking a Hunter 42 Passage Offshore

[PDXnative]

We are looking at purchasing a boat to take down the Westcoast all the way down to the Panama canal and then over to the Caribbean to do a loop or two, until we run out of money and need to come back and get jobs. We really like all that the 90's Hunter 42 Passage has to offer for a comfortable cruising boat and I know that a few of them have been taken offshore. Does anyone know the modifications needed to be done to the 42 before it can be safely used for offshore use? I have heard that a baby stay should be added. Has anyone added one and if so, how was it installed? Beefier rigging? Anything else?Thanks,Jason

 

[bob]

why not try an h40. you can stay

out cruising for much as longer since it costs less than 1/3 the price of a 42still has the inline queen berth and 2 heads.just saw some nicely outfitted ones on yachtworld at a steali have one and love itbob 87 h40

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Jason, I've looked into adding a staysail...

to our P42 and found the following (see link) http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?post=345If the rigging is more than ten years old I would consider replacing it before venturing off shore, including sails, etc. The boat is plenty strong for off shore, IMHO. There are other considerations that would apply to most any model boat.Terry

 

[Doug13108]

Don't know how excited you are

about the west coast/canal passage, but you could avoid the issue by buying a boat on the east coast. Or, one that's already in the Caribbean - this one seems pretty well equipped:http://yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?currency=USD&units=Feet&currencyid=100&boat_id=1653002&ybw=&units=Feet&access=Public&listing_id=75191&url=