I am looking at buying a new 33 Hunter. For my family to use on long weekends. we have two small girls and want to know the most important things to get. We will be sailing in georgian bay / Lake Huron Ie dodger and enclosure? Extra battery? dingy? sea eagle?? opening port in head? Netting for railing- for kids? Thanks alot, any suggestions?
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Suggest
I would suggest a bimini (for shade), cockpit cushions, furling main, furling jib. TV/DVD, atleast 2 batteries-maybe 3 and a dinghy if you're doing a lot of overnight anchoring. DO NOT CHEAP OUT ON THE KIDS' LIFEJACKETS (or yours too for that matter)-GET THE BEST.
I would suggest a bimini (for shade), cockpit cushions, furling main, furling jib. TV/DVD, atleast 2 batteries-maybe 3 and a dinghy if you're doing a lot of overnight anchoring. DO NOT CHEAP OUT ON THE KIDS' LIFEJACKETS (or yours too for that matter)-GET THE BEST.
My thoughts
since I have a 33 with 2 small boys (4 and 2) are.... 1 - very very good and comfortable lifejackets for them 2 - jacklines 3 - dodger/bimini (and/or, we have a bimini) 4 - lots of hot dogs and some way to cook them away from the dock 5 - suntan lotion and a smile No matter what you get, 5 is the most important. My boys watch lots of movies and read books on the boat (we also have a portable, 12V dc dvd player with 2 screens). They like to watch the water when we sail and fish with their "special" rods and reels. Mostly as long as they are safe nothing else matters.
since I have a 33 with 2 small boys (4 and 2) are.... 1 - very very good and comfortable lifejackets for them 2 - jacklines 3 - dodger/bimini (and/or, we have a bimini) 4 - lots of hot dogs and some way to cook them away from the dock 5 - suntan lotion and a smile No matter what you get, 5 is the most important. My boys watch lots of movies and read books on the boat (we also have a portable, 12V dc dvd player with 2 screens). They like to watch the water when we sail and fish with their "special" rods and reels. Mostly as long as they are safe nothing else matters.
H33 in Georgian Bay
I got my H33 in the Spring and I keep it in the Norh Channel. Do you have much experience sailing in Georgian Bay? The season is short so we got the full enclosure to stretch the season, the dodger & bimini is a must. A Bruce anchor is also a must for these waters if you plan to anchor out (doesn't everybody in GB?) and you will want a dingy. Exploring the 30,000 isles with the kids is the best part and you need a way to get to shore. We have 3 batteries with the starter on an isolator for peace of mind. We use a laptop with a DVD for movies and rainy day games. A GPS/Chartplotter will help navigate the very shoally waters in GB but I would recommend you take the Power Squadron course to learn to read paper charts and navigate if you don't already have this, and I'll second the comment on the lifejackets. The water in Lake Huron can be very cold in the spring and a number of people drown every year. A few minutes in this water and you will not be strong enough to pull yourself out. One last option to consider is in-mast furling. Unless you are racing, the convenience and safety this adds is immense. Hunter also adds 5' to the mast to offset the loss in performance. Buying the 33 was the best buying decision we ever made, you won't regret it.
I got my H33 in the Spring and I keep it in the Norh Channel. Do you have much experience sailing in Georgian Bay? The season is short so we got the full enclosure to stretch the season, the dodger & bimini is a must. A Bruce anchor is also a must for these waters if you plan to anchor out (doesn't everybody in GB?) and you will want a dingy. Exploring the 30,000 isles with the kids is the best part and you need a way to get to shore. We have 3 batteries with the starter on an isolator for peace of mind. We use a laptop with a DVD for movies and rainy day games. A GPS/Chartplotter will help navigate the very shoally waters in GB but I would recommend you take the Power Squadron course to learn to read paper charts and navigate if you don't already have this, and I'll second the comment on the lifejackets. The water in Lake Huron can be very cold in the spring and a number of people drown every year. A few minutes in this water and you will not be strong enough to pull yourself out. One last option to consider is in-mast furling. Unless you are racing, the convenience and safety this adds is immense. Hunter also adds 5' to the mast to offset the loss in performance. Buying the 33 was the best buying decision we ever made, you won't regret it.
Safety first.
That would include the aforementioned PFDs and shade(bimini). Rules are also important,like PFDs always worn outside of cabin including docks. But you already knew that. One that I would not be without is an autohelm. When the First Mate is busy and one of the urchins starts climbing out of the cockpit then what? I often set the course and go up on the bow with the grandkids. We might sit up there for an hour talking about anything and everything. Not sure what it is about being on the front of the boat. My next choice would be(was) air-conditioning. It is hard enough trying to get the boat ready with kids and all there is to do. Having a cool interior makes it so much easier and less stressful. That translates to safety also, not forgetting important things because you are trying to get away from the dock.
That would include the aforementioned PFDs and shade(bimini). Rules are also important,like PFDs always worn outside of cabin including docks. But you already knew that. One that I would not be without is an autohelm. When the First Mate is busy and one of the urchins starts climbing out of the cockpit then what? I often set the course and go up on the bow with the grandkids. We might sit up there for an hour talking about anything and everything. Not sure what it is about being on the front of the boat. My next choice would be(was) air-conditioning. It is hard enough trying to get the boat ready with kids and all there is to do. Having a cool interior makes it so much easier and less stressful. That translates to safety also, not forgetting important things because you are trying to get away from the dock.
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