done a couple of times
Chris Oldham did it twice in his 450. Read on. In 1991, 11 matched L-35.5’s were sailed from N.Y to Bermuda with two crew per boat and then competed in 15 days of match racing in the Omega Gold Cup. This in extreme conditions some it during the time Hurricane Grace approached the Island. After being trashed by the most competitive skippers in the world, at that time (some still are, Paul Cayard, Chris Dixon, Magnus Holberg, Marc Boet, Peter Isler and others) After the competition they were sailed back to St. Augustine by a crew of just two. In1990, Jim Bankson and Gary Baillargeon sailed the L35.5 “Another Child” from Seattle to Hawaii and captured a first place finish in the double handed Pacific Cup beating several noted Cal 40’s. The 1989 Single handed Trans-At. saw Courtney Hazelton on the modified L45 “Marico” capture a first place finish in the fifty foot class while recording a record run. This same boat renamed (Sky Catcher) sailed in the ‘94 BOC captained by Nigel Rowe, the former Director of the BOC. During some of the worst weather ever for the St. Pete to Isla Muejeres race in 1996, Steve Curran piloted a Hunter 336 to a first place overall. Most of the fleet was badly mauled and more than half never finished the race. In the 1998 Trans-At. (Dayton to Bermuda) Gus William’s finished third in class sailing his L35.5 with his family aboard. The weather was so bad that only 40% of the fleet finished. Brad Newell aboard “Wendigo” a L43 departed California the Summer of 1994 arriving in Auckland NZ. Dec 1st. 1995. We received a letter from them indicating they had no problems and praising the boat for both it’s comfort and sea keeping ability. They might have since finished their circumnavigation. One has only to contact. Bill O’Reilly owner of Trident Yacht Sales in Darling, South Africa to ask about the experiences of the delivery crew that brings him his boats from our yard and delivers them on their own bottoms 9,200 miles through some of the roughest waters on the planet. One of the delivery skippers (a veteran of 19 Atlantic crossings) Malcolm Meyers, related his passage nonstop of 57days from St. Martin to Cape Town to me. During those 57 days he endured three storms, the worst one reported force 10 and seas to 35’ he did endure one knockdown nothing major broke and the rig held; his words, “I was impressed”. Strike up a conversation with Chris Oldham who has sailed his three Hunters from Seattle, to San Diego, to the VI, Bermuda, the Mediterranean and twice across the Atlantic. For personal family reasons Chris has withdrawn from the Round World Rally two Hunters (another 450 and a 40.5) remain committed. Pauline and Voytec Dolinski left California and cruised Mexico for months before striking out for Polynesia aboard their L37.5 in March of 1996, we still hear from they as they continue cruising the world. Over the years we have commissioned at our Yard in St. Augustine many boats scheduled for delivery in Europe, the Med., Africa, South America, and to charter companies who place them worldwide into demanding service. I think if you have the skills needed the boat will more than suffice. JB
