I am interested in a mid-sized boat that would be easily handled by two young seniors. Hunters, with in-mast furling is of interest to my wife and me. We have looked ,"kicked tires", test rode. and compared. Racing is of no interest. We were once one-designers and that's over. Pleasurable weekending/daysailing is the object. The apparent value for dollar spent appears good with a Hunter. Your feedback, please. Thanks, Dourdave
- Status
Hi Dourdave, we went through the same...
process and sailing requirements as you. We purchased an H28 and sailed her for three years, then sold her and upgraded to a P42. I could list a hundred reasons why we settled on Hunter and why we upgraded to a larger Hunter. Find the Hunter that you want, have it surveyed, then enjoy it while you have it. You will be glad that you did. Terry
process and sailing requirements as you. We purchased an H28 and sailed her for three years, then sold her and upgraded to a P42. I could list a hundred reasons why we settled on Hunter and why we upgraded to a larger Hunter. Find the Hunter that you want, have it surveyed, then enjoy it while you have it. You will be glad that you did. Terry
Dourdave, ditto for us-as ex one designers-after a lot of research and tire kicking we bought a nice used 29.5 and sailed her for 1 1/2 years-enough for us to know exactly what we wanted in our next boat- and traded up to a 356 last winter. very high value, excellent design, easy to sail for fun yet good performance. I can single-hand her if I want to, but great for social sailing with a group of friends. find a used Hunter that suits your size and budget, get a survey, and then enjoy. you won't regret it.
This site for 99
Having this website at your finger tips is about 99 reasons. Of course there are similar and sister sites, but -and someone correct me if I'm wrong; wasn't HOW the first. I guess Phil could answer this for sure, but it seems like there is more Hunter "traffic" pro and con on all the sites. At least if you buy a Hunter, you've got lots of friendly advice!
Having this website at your finger tips is about 99 reasons. Of course there are similar and sister sites, but -and someone correct me if I'm wrong; wasn't HOW the first. I guess Phil could answer this for sure, but it seems like there is more Hunter "traffic" pro and con on all the sites. At least if you buy a Hunter, you've got lots of friendly advice!
Check Out Owner Reviews
I'd recommend you check out the "Owner Reviews" under the "Boat Information" tab which can be found on the main page. Select any model and see what they have to say. It's easy to get some input from someone who has a boat of the type you're looking at (size and age), and you can even E-mail them. What are you looking at?
I'd recommend you check out the "Owner Reviews" under the "Boat Information" tab which can be found on the main page. Select any model and see what they have to say. It's easy to get some input from someone who has a boat of the type you're looking at (size and age), and you can even E-mail them. What are you looking at?
We love our hunter ...
We raced one design and PHRF boats for many years. Decided to quit racing and take time to relax and enjoy cruising. We bought a 460 and love it. My husband (63) and I (55+)can handle the boat ourselves but we both have had a lot of time at the helm. Bob knows all the stuff about all the elect. systems/equipment/gizmos. We didn't get the furling main because we wanted the performance of the full sail that the rig was designed for. The lazy jacks, electric winch, and external track (added this year), make handling the big main no problem. The storage aboard the Hunters seems to have been designed with women in mind ... a place to put stuff away, not piled in a heap. The galley is laid out so that you can work without a sling when the boat is heeling. We go to the boat show every year and compare what we have to what else is out there ... haven't found anything that comes close to what we have for less than twice the price!
We raced one design and PHRF boats for many years. Decided to quit racing and take time to relax and enjoy cruising. We bought a 460 and love it. My husband (63) and I (55+)can handle the boat ourselves but we both have had a lot of time at the helm. Bob knows all the stuff about all the elect. systems/equipment/gizmos. We didn't get the furling main because we wanted the performance of the full sail that the rig was designed for. The lazy jacks, electric winch, and external track (added this year), make handling the big main no problem. The storage aboard the Hunters seems to have been designed with women in mind ... a place to put stuff away, not piled in a heap. The galley is laid out so that you can work without a sling when the boat is heeling. We go to the boat show every year and compare what we have to what else is out there ... haven't found anything that comes close to what we have for less than twice the price!
Why knot
Chuck Wayne raises a good point about entertaining friends. The open cockpit, rounded design and clever tables and catbird seats make for plenty of space in an attractive, comfortable setting. Nothing worse than feeling cooped up in a straight-bench format, only to have to maneuver around the wheel or over the traveler. Hunter pioneered this much-improved concept.
Chuck Wayne raises a good point about entertaining friends. The open cockpit, rounded design and clever tables and catbird seats make for plenty of space in an attractive, comfortable setting. Nothing worse than feeling cooped up in a straight-bench format, only to have to maneuver around the wheel or over the traveler. Hunter pioneered this much-improved concept.
hunter owner
we just moved aboard our p-42 and are preping to cruise the ICW and Caribbean to Granada next year. You can not get more space for the money and lots of extras too! She is rugged enough to do island hoping because we have already done so in Beneteau's in the BVI Leewards and Windwards Sailing the Caribbean is safe as long as you pay attention to the reef issues and of course are not there in Hurricane season.
we just moved aboard our p-42 and are preping to cruise the ICW and Caribbean to Granada next year. You can not get more space for the money and lots of extras too! She is rugged enough to do island hoping because we have already done so in Beneteau's in the BVI Leewards and Windwards Sailing the Caribbean is safe as long as you pay attention to the reef issues and of course are not there in Hurricane season.
Hunters Deliver Dollar For Dollar
We started boat shopping more than 15 years ago. During that time several patterns emerged. The boats, whether a Hunter or a Hinckley, still have common parts. They have engines from one of three or four manufacturers, they have winches from one of three or four manufactures, the masts vary but are similar, the interior furnishings are similar with the high line boats being a little nicer, and all have instruments from one of three or four manufacturers. The point is that there may be some differences between a Hunter and some other line, but the real differences are small. Certainly boats built for blue water will have some additional attention paid to the hull structure, but that does not mean that a Hunter is not capable of blue water cruising. There was a post a few weeks ago from a gentleman who crossed the Atlantic in a Hunter 34. I have one and know that it is a sturdy boat, but I don't think it is a blue water boat. He proved it could make the trip. The conclusion from all of this is that the choice of what boat to buy, whether a Hunter or something else, should be based upon what meets your needs, not a brand. With all that said, I recently purchased a Hunter Passage 42. It met my needs and my budget.
We started boat shopping more than 15 years ago. During that time several patterns emerged. The boats, whether a Hunter or a Hinckley, still have common parts. They have engines from one of three or four manufacturers, they have winches from one of three or four manufactures, the masts vary but are similar, the interior furnishings are similar with the high line boats being a little nicer, and all have instruments from one of three or four manufacturers. The point is that there may be some differences between a Hunter and some other line, but the real differences are small. Certainly boats built for blue water will have some additional attention paid to the hull structure, but that does not mean that a Hunter is not capable of blue water cruising. There was a post a few weeks ago from a gentleman who crossed the Atlantic in a Hunter 34. I have one and know that it is a sturdy boat, but I don't think it is a blue water boat. He proved it could make the trip. The conclusion from all of this is that the choice of what boat to buy, whether a Hunter or something else, should be based upon what meets your needs, not a brand. With all that said, I recently purchased a Hunter Passage 42. It met my needs and my budget.
Did the same thing
I also bought a 1990 H 42 and agree completely. When I was in the trucking business, it amazed me how many drivers thought Peterbilt trucks were the best. They believed the engines in Peterbilts were better than the same one in another truck as well. Its all knobs and door handles. You can spec a truck or boat out anyway you want with various non manufacturer equipment. Its the cab/cockpit, salon/sleeper that meets your requirements that makes the difference, along with dealer/manufacturer support. Have a great time with your boat!
I also bought a 1990 H 42 and agree completely. When I was in the trucking business, it amazed me how many drivers thought Peterbilt trucks were the best. They believed the engines in Peterbilts were better than the same one in another truck as well. Its all knobs and door handles. You can spec a truck or boat out anyway you want with various non manufacturer equipment. Its the cab/cockpit, salon/sleeper that meets your requirements that makes the difference, along with dealer/manufacturer support. Have a great time with your boat!
Thanks George, You Too
I just got a call about an hour ago. My 42 is sitting in a truck stop in Findlay, Ohio. I would have gone there to take some in_transit photos but we are having an ice storm. (Don't you just love winter.) Anyway, we are going to meet at the marina on Thursday and get it unloaded. It is exciting.
I just got a call about an hour ago. My 42 is sitting in a truck stop in Findlay, Ohio. I would have gone there to take some in_transit photos but we are having an ice storm. (Don't you just love winter.) Anyway, we are going to meet at the marina on Thursday and get it unloaded. It is exciting.
Hey Rich, a P42?!
To which marina are you having the H42 delivered? Not many center cockpits around, looking forward to seeing her around the islands this summer. Congratulations.
To which marina are you having the H42 delivered? Not many center cockpits around, looking forward to seeing her around the islands this summer. Congratulations.
OK, Dourdave, My 2 Cents
Having owned and sailed the Ches. Bay & the Southeast Coast in the 80's in a Morgan 41-OI, the 90's in a Morgan/Catalina 43, and now (for the past 2 years) a H-420, I couldn't be happier w/ the Hunter.... I have had relatively few problems; the boat and all its many "toys" are holding up better than expected, and as far as live-aboard-ability.. well, I just don't think you could ask for more. Having been on, and sailed on, many other boats, some costing much more than the comperable Hunter, I wouldn't trade my 420 for almost any other comperably sized monohull...... But, I guess we Hunter owners are a bit prejudiced.
Having owned and sailed the Ches. Bay & the Southeast Coast in the 80's in a Morgan 41-OI, the 90's in a Morgan/Catalina 43, and now (for the past 2 years) a H-420, I couldn't be happier w/ the Hunter.... I have had relatively few problems; the boat and all its many "toys" are holding up better than expected, and as far as live-aboard-ability.. well, I just don't think you could ask for more. Having been on, and sailed on, many other boats, some costing much more than the comperable Hunter, I wouldn't trade my 420 for almost any other comperably sized monohull...... But, I guess we Hunter owners are a bit prejudiced.
Ed, Sandusky Harbor
I have kept the 34 we have at Venitian but the water to get over there this fall was too thin for the 4'3" draft. No use putting a 5' draft there. Sandusky Harbor had around 12' at the well. We are calling her KANDU. If you see us around, don't be shy. I missed you at the boat show on the first Saturday. I walked all around the 426DS but never climbed the steps. What is the name of your craft so we can be on the look out for you as well.
I have kept the 34 we have at Venitian but the water to get over there this fall was too thin for the 4'3" draft. No use putting a 5' draft there. Sandusky Harbor had around 12' at the well. We are calling her KANDU. If you see us around, don't be shy. I missed you at the boat show on the first Saturday. I walked all around the 426DS but never climbed the steps. What is the name of your craft so we can be on the look out for you as well.
Thanks All
I appreciate and value your information and (unbiased) opinions. The Hunters came up a few notches on the list because of your responses. Maybe we'll get to the water soon. Thanks again.
I appreciate and value your information and (unbiased) opinions. The Hunters came up a few notches on the list because of your responses. Maybe we'll get to the water soon. Thanks again.
- Status