Offshore Crusing Boat....Hunter?

[rtbates]

Short story... A brand new, 2002, Hunter 45 is launched at the marina where I keep Seraph. Upon hitting the water she leaks like a sieve. She's pulled back out only to find a 1-1.5 inch gap around the keel. The keel was falling off. Hunter sends reps who make repairs. I have no idea what was wrong. BUT I do know that it was a brand new Hunter and it's keel was falling off! I wonder what else they might have missed. Seeing as how the hull to keel joint is fairly important and they obviously missed something. Not a vessel I'd ever go off shore in.

[k1vsk]

Originally Posted by rtbates

Short story... A brand new, 2002, Hunter 45 is launched at the marina where I keep Seraph. Upon hitting the water she leaks like a sieve. She's pulled back out only to find a 1-1.5 inch gap around the keel. The keel was falling off. Hunter sends reps who make repairs. I have no idea what was wrong. BUT I do know that it was a brand new Hunter and it's keel was falling off! I wonder what else they might have missed. Seeing as how the hull to keel joint is fairly important and they obviously missed something. Not a vessel I'd ever go off shore in.

I just read a story this a.m. in the news about how a sailor aboard a Hunter had to rescure 3 people off a new Beneteau which was sinking because a thru-hull hose came off and there was no auto bilge pump.
These stories prove NOTHING other than the yard that commissioned the boat is comprised of idiots. You would know that not installing a (bilge pump or a) keel correctly at commissioning isn't the fault of the builder...
Citing examples as these without proper attribution of the cause only demonstrates lack of knowledge.

[Sailormann]

I believe that Hunter, as well as some other manufacturers, ship the keels separately from the boats when you get near and over the forty foot mark...hence it may well have been a yard issue there...

[windnwaves]

Island Packet would be yor best bet

[Freesail99]

Island Packet is a pretty boat, I just like looking at it.

[sidney777]

Livaboard and cruising are//may be many different realities; and the actual physical environment that you expect to live in may dictate that you have either a liveaboard or a cruising boat. That old idea of a floating Condo vs. a real seaworthy boat comes to mind. (of course you can have both). How much "stuff" can you do without ? How experienced/seaworthy are you? What physical condition are you and your crew in ? Study sailboat reviews like you were going to be tested. Read the sales info on the Shannon website,Sabre, even if you cannot afford them, you can learn what you want for one or two handed sailing. Take a look at http://www.mahina.com/boats.html