We've been sailing off and on for 5 years: mostly day sailors and friends boats. We are finally in a position to get our own boat, a weekend short duration coastal cruising boat in the 36’+ range. It’s taken a lot of convincing, but the admiral has finally relented, and even embraces the idea. So, about 4-5 months ago the search begins in earnest. After several false starts on the buying process (mainly due to indecision about size, $$$, usage), we arrive at a formula that we think work’s for us.
A pattern has emerged, I read, I research, I investigate. When we arrive to inspect a prospective boat, I look at the guy things, like sails, cockpits, sailing lines of the boat, rigging, condition, etc. My wife skips all the sailing BS and immediately heads to the interior, she sits awhile soaking in the ambiance (livability) of the salon, sniffs the head, checks the overhead clearance of the aft cabin, lies on the bed, calculates if she’s going to hit her head if she pops up too fast, determines the claustrophobic quotient.
Invariably, she is so-so on the boats I love, the ones with the best sailing reviews. Every time we pass a Hunter, she says, let’s look at that boat, I cringe just a little. For me, Hunters take a bit of adjusting to the ascetics, especially the freeboard.
She loves the Hunter interiors. After my above decks inspection, I finally make it downstairs. On the Hunters, there’s a big smile on her face. So what’s the best compromise here? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike the Hunters, although their ability to retain value seems pretty suspect. What’s a deck hand to do?
Connect with Facebook
