I have no experience with free standing mast.How does it affect boat solidity,performances etc?I recently sold my 26 footer and looking to upgrade for next season.Ia m looking at either a hunter 30 or vision 32 both 1990's.Any suggestions,Thanks Chris
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Christian: Look in Owner Reviews
within the pull-down tabs under The Boats. There is a wealth of info there. I don't think you can do wrong with either boat. The handicap on PHRF for Visions is tough (low), so if you want to race on handicap, the 30 may be better. I had a Vision 32, and it was the best boat I ever owned and it sailed well. Either one will require some sprucing up at their ages, as would any other boat. Rick D.
within the pull-down tabs under The Boats. There is a wealth of info there. I don't think you can do wrong with either boat. The handicap on PHRF for Visions is tough (low), so if you want to race on handicap, the 30 may be better. I had a Vision 32, and it was the best boat I ever owned and it sailed well. Either one will require some sprucing up at their ages, as would any other boat. Rick D.
Great boat
I agree whole heartedly with Rick. The Vision 32 is a great boat. It sails incredibly well once you adjust to that big main, but of course all Hunters have big mains these days... The mast is huge, but when driving near the marina I can always spot our boat, it has the tallest mast!
My wife and I questioned the rig initially as well and were also considering the early 90's Hunter 30. However, the V32 turned out to be the right choice for the two of us. There is so much more room down below for only 2 linear feet more. I don't race the boat, but it is quite solid and I think the performance is quite good. Sorry for the highly qualitative input, but you really need to get it in a good breeze to see for yourself... It was quite solid when we crossed the Strait of Juan de Fuca this summer coming home from the San Juan Islands in a 30 knot sustained blow going against the tide which made for some steep seas - not pleasant, but the boat kept going and never leaked... And, if you have questions, ask Rick - he has always answered my postings here! Thanks Rick! matt
I agree whole heartedly with Rick. The Vision 32 is a great boat. It sails incredibly well once you adjust to that big main, but of course all Hunters have big mains these days... The mast is huge, but when driving near the marina I can always spot our boat, it has the tallest mast!
My wife and I questioned the rig initially as well and were also considering the early 90's Hunter 30. However, the V32 turned out to be the right choice for the two of us. There is so much more room down below for only 2 linear feet more. I don't race the boat, but it is quite solid and I think the performance is quite good. Sorry for the highly qualitative input, but you really need to get it in a good breeze to see for yourself... It was quite solid when we crossed the Strait of Juan de Fuca this summer coming home from the San Juan Islands in a 30 knot sustained blow going against the tide which made for some steep seas - not pleasant, but the boat kept going and never leaked... And, if you have questions, ask Rick - he has always answered my postings here! Thanks Rick! mattHere's what I think!
The V32 is a terrific boat! It does sail differently than a regular sloop, and does take a bit of getting used to. The main is huge and jib is small but useful upwind. It's a stable, well made, high quality boat with elegant, subdued styling compared to the newer Hunters (IMHO). It responds well to tweaking, and will satisify racing sailors with improved performance. Here in SF bay, it's a great boat to sail and with two easy to put in reefs, very adjustable to varing wind strength. It is a bit of a heavy boat at 11,500. On the Bay, it rates (PHRF) about the same as a Catalina 30, the VW of sailing. I sometimes wonder about the wing keel at 3'4", but have not been able to sail against a comparable boat and see who out points who, who has the most leeway and who goes the fastest at what angle of heel. Cheers!
The V32 is a terrific boat! It does sail differently than a regular sloop, and does take a bit of getting used to. The main is huge and jib is small but useful upwind. It's a stable, well made, high quality boat with elegant, subdued styling compared to the newer Hunters (IMHO). It responds well to tweaking, and will satisify racing sailors with improved performance. Here in SF bay, it's a great boat to sail and with two easy to put in reefs, very adjustable to varing wind strength. It is a bit of a heavy boat at 11,500. On the Bay, it rates (PHRF) about the same as a Catalina 30, the VW of sailing. I sometimes wonder about the wing keel at 3'4", but have not been able to sail against a comparable boat and see who out points who, who has the most leeway and who goes the fastest at what angle of heel. Cheers!
Go with the Vision
Go with the Vision-32. You'll be glad you did. I have owned mine for about three years and love it, especially the room. This past weekend we had a single handed race (17 boats) and it was a day made for the Vision. Last year I finished dead last. Wind never got over 6k which is terrible for the Vision and it's weight. On Saturday we had winds 15k to 20k with gusts to 25k. Most of the race was beam reach and man does that big sail make the boat "fly". Probably should have put in at least one reef but didn't and never felt really out of control. Finished second in my class (there was a catamaran in my class that beat everybody). Finished 6th out of the 17 boats in the race. The gusty winds and the natural "unloading" that the unconvention rig of the Vision applies made all the conventional sailors take notice. There were two Catilina 30's in the race that I left in the dust. They were completely shocked. Become a Vision owner and probably the only boat you'll ever want to go up to would be the Vision 36.
Go with the Vision-32. You'll be glad you did. I have owned mine for about three years and love it, especially the room. This past weekend we had a single handed race (17 boats) and it was a day made for the Vision. Last year I finished dead last. Wind never got over 6k which is terrible for the Vision and it's weight. On Saturday we had winds 15k to 20k with gusts to 25k. Most of the race was beam reach and man does that big sail make the boat "fly". Probably should have put in at least one reef but didn't and never felt really out of control. Finished second in my class (there was a catamaran in my class that beat everybody). Finished 6th out of the 17 boats in the race. The gusty winds and the natural "unloading" that the unconvention rig of the Vision applies made all the conventional sailors take notice. There were two Catilina 30's in the race that I left in the dust. They were completely shocked. Become a Vision owner and probably the only boat you'll ever want to go up to would be the Vision 36.
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