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Thanks Bob,
It looks like a great size Hunter for cruising the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas (coastal cruiser).
It looks like a great size Hunter for cruising the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding areas (coastal cruiser).
Don't believe everything you read
I attended the Annapolis show and also saw the product line literature showing CE "B". After asking, Hunter said its an "A". The sign on the back of the display boat showed "A" and a preliminary information sheet to the dealers comparing the 33 to the 326 also shows "A". If Bob from Annapolis reads this maybe he can add the latest info from Hunter.
I attended the Annapolis show and also saw the product line literature showing CE "B". After asking, Hunter said its an "A". The sign on the back of the display boat showed "A" and a preliminary information sheet to the dealers comparing the 33 to the 326 also shows "A". If Bob from Annapolis reads this maybe he can add the latest info from Hunter.
Are they really rated?
A couple of years ago there was a big issue about this since the ratings have a European origin. At that time they could be rated but with certain modifications. Nothing intrinsic to the quality of the boat but more to do with electrical and other things which could be retrofitted. As I recall a boat must be rated to be sold in Europe. Hunter had to backtrack from its statemnet about ratings and restae to the effect the boat could be rated. Obviuosly boats built in England are going to be rated. Keep in mind that ratings are theoretical and how a boat sails in the open ocean has more to do with its captain.
A couple of years ago there was a big issue about this since the ratings have a European origin. At that time they could be rated but with certain modifications. Nothing intrinsic to the quality of the boat but more to do with electrical and other things which could be retrofitted. As I recall a boat must be rated to be sold in Europe. Hunter had to backtrack from its statemnet about ratings and restae to the effect the boat could be rated. Obviuosly boats built in England are going to be rated. Keep in mind that ratings are theoretical and how a boat sails in the open ocean has more to do with its captain.
To Tag Onto What Jeff D Wrote.....
To get the European rating not only were there a few changes in some of the equipment (didn't all the major equipment have to be EU rated too?), but because the manufacturer has to pay to have it inspected this costs extra which is passed along to the consumer. This EU rating seems to be a vieled attempt for the EU to protect their boat building industry. Most of their requirements are what any good manufacturer would do anyway. But then when Americans require UL approval or to have autos to meet certain requirement this protects our manufacturers too, whether it's intentional or not. It seems to me that much of Europe has been more paperwork oriented than america and maybe this requirement was originally intended to make the playing field a bit more level within the EU. Our country seems to rely more on law suits against manufacturers to correct deficiencies rather than have the government dictate requirements. The Coast Guard requirements for a boat, for example, are nothing.
To get the European rating not only were there a few changes in some of the equipment (didn't all the major equipment have to be EU rated too?), but because the manufacturer has to pay to have it inspected this costs extra which is passed along to the consumer. This EU rating seems to be a vieled attempt for the EU to protect their boat building industry. Most of their requirements are what any good manufacturer would do anyway. But then when Americans require UL approval or to have autos to meet certain requirement this protects our manufacturers too, whether it's intentional or not. It seems to me that much of Europe has been more paperwork oriented than america and maybe this requirement was originally intended to make the playing field a bit more level within the EU. Our country seems to rely more on law suits against manufacturers to correct deficiencies rather than have the government dictate requirements. The Coast Guard requirements for a boat, for example, are nothing.
Class A
John prtty much hit the nail on the head regarding CE certification. According to Hunter, the new 33 will be built to CE class "A" standards but domestic models most likely will not be CE certified. Here's why. From what I understand it is pretty much impossible to build a boat to both U.S. (NMMA,ABYC ect.) and CE specs. Two major problems seem to be the HIN and the AC system. CE specs dictate that the HIN must start with the country of origin. The USCG says it must start with the manufacturer designation. The other big problem is that CE boats must conform to european 220 volt 50hz on the AC system rather than our 110V 60hz. If you absolutely "have to have" a CE certified boat expect to pay a little more for the EU paperwork and don't expect it to work off your dockside power.
John prtty much hit the nail on the head regarding CE certification. According to Hunter, the new 33 will be built to CE class "A" standards but domestic models most likely will not be CE certified. Here's why. From what I understand it is pretty much impossible to build a boat to both U.S. (NMMA,ABYC ect.) and CE specs. Two major problems seem to be the HIN and the AC system. CE specs dictate that the HIN must start with the country of origin. The USCG says it must start with the manufacturer designation. The other big problem is that CE boats must conform to european 220 volt 50hz on the AC system rather than our 110V 60hz. If you absolutely "have to have" a CE certified boat expect to pay a little more for the EU paperwork and don't expect it to work off your dockside power.
A or B it's not a
blue water boat! Just because it is rated A does not mean it an offshore ocean rated boat!
blue water boat! Just because it is rated A does not mean it an offshore ocean rated boat!
CE Rating
John & Bob are on target with respect to their CE comments. In addition, according to Hunter, the VHF radios sold in the US are not permitted to be used on European boats due to some frequency differences. Also, the CE-certified propane tanks sold in Europe have different fittings from the American tanks sold here. Hunter concludes that you can get a CE-certified boat in the US but---it would not work on our electric current without conversion, it would have a hull # that cannot be registered in the US, propane tanks and VHF would not work.
John & Bob are on target with respect to their CE comments. In addition, according to Hunter, the VHF radios sold in the US are not permitted to be used on European boats due to some frequency differences. Also, the CE-certified propane tanks sold in Europe have different fittings from the American tanks sold here. Hunter concludes that you can get a CE-certified boat in the US but---it would not work on our electric current without conversion, it would have a hull # that cannot be registered in the US, propane tanks and VHF would not work.
Jim, I think that they are an offshore boat.
Jim A: I am sort of with you about the rating system, but the CE-A are offshore rated, but may not be the most comfortable vessel for making the big crossings. I suppose this may be compared to making a cross country crossing in a TR-3 (if anyone has ever had the experience).
Jim A: I am sort of with you about the rating system, but the CE-A are offshore rated, but may not be the most comfortable vessel for making the big crossings. I suppose this may be compared to making a cross country crossing in a TR-3 (if anyone has ever had the experience).
Hunter 33 & TR 3
Summer, 1964. New Jersey to Ohio in a TR 3 with the top down. Could not hear much for the next several days.
Summer, 1964. New Jersey to Ohio in a TR 3 with the top down. Could not hear much for the next several days.
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