Offshore Crusing Boat....Hunter?

[Tropiccafe]

We are retired and looking for a good livaboard cruising boat for the US East Coast as well as trips to the Caribbean. We are most intrested in a new or newer boat with some space and strong enough for times when out at sea. Been looking at many boats and come to find they are just out of our price range. Production boats as the Hunter etc. are more in our price range but we are somewhat skeptical as to the thing loosing it's spar or worse due to a unkindly sea.
There is a Hunter 41 DS that we were considering...but it does not have a backstay at all....CRASH?
Can anyone add their thoughts?
Ed

[sailingfool]

There are plenty of board discussion threads about Hunter, do a search and read them...my comment would be that boats like these are bought by people who don't know the answer to your question...

[TrueBlue]

Originally Posted by sailingfool

. . . my comment would be that boats like these are bought by people who don't know the answer to your question...

. . . but may find the answer when they do go offshore in them.

[Giulietta]

Or can't read.....

[PBzeer]

What you need to be looking into first is just what you are going to do with the boat. Most people spend the majority of their time at anchor or at the dock. With the East Coast and Caribbean in mind, draft is a consideration as well. Will the Hunter do what you want? Yes. Is it the best choice? Most would say no. But remember, it's YOUR boat and your money. (And no, you don't have to worry about no backstay).

Decide how you'll realistically use the boat, than find one that fullfills that.

[svsirius]

Almost any boat can do the east coast and bahamas.. pick your weather window and do the ICW. Once you add Bermuda and the Carribean to the equation I beleive the requirements get stiffer [ and would not put a Hunter in this group]. You are far better off getting an older better built boat and upgrading it to meet your needs. Lots of threads on that subject in various boards.

[sailingdog]

The only problem is what happens if your weather window gets slammed shut... in some boats it isn't a big deal...in others...you're gonna pay for it.

[camaraderie]

Tropic...If your intent is to head offshore to the Caribe..then I think you need a blue water boat...and that will mean either a smaller or older boat if you are to stayat your budgeted level. If, on the other hand, you would plan to head down island via the thorny path then I think the Hunter would work. Have you looked at other new production boats in the same price range like the Catalinas and Beneteaus? If you like back stays as I do...the Catalina 42 is worth looking at!

[Cruisingdad]

Tropic,

It is my understanding Hunter has put some real effort into making a better boat as of late. You will see a real slant against them on this board because many have been burnt by them and what was some years ago poor construction and quality.

That being said, I would agree with Cam on a Catalina. As much as I "talk them up" please understand I do NOT work with them or for them in any capacity. I have owned four of their boats and know them... and their positives and negatives. I have sailed and been on 42s and would actually tell you the 400 sails better. I currently own one. The 42 has a bit better design then the 400 for a couple (thought many disagree with this). You may be able to get the 42 a little cheaper. A 36 and above will be fine for the Carribean and comfortable. If you want a generator, you really should jump into a 380 minimum as the 36 is too small/space and makes it awkward. No generator... the 36 is an awesome sailing boat and I know many examples of people that have taken them a lot further than just the Carrinbean.

Bluewater (over 3 days at sea periodically)? Well, you are in the entirely wrong category. Peoples definition of bluewater differ. I will warn you that everyone thinks they need a "bluewater" (I never like that term) and most do not.

Tell us how/where you will use the boat, length of time at sea, cruising grounds, number of people, and you will get a nice response (more than you want) from many people on this forum for their suggestion(s). The opinions are often biased... but with the experience and reasoning to back them up. I would also suggest taking an evening or two and reading back through the old threads on boat selection(s). There is a lot to be learned there (just remember what I said earlier).

Let me know if you have any more specifics. Take care.

- CD

[Brezzin]

Tropic-

I have owned an older Hunter 33 and have a 49 on order. One of the benefits that you may find with the Hunter vs. an older boat is the fact that the newer hunters have all been designed to be sailed short-handed. Being retired I'm assuming that your older, and this would be a real consideration for you and the admiral . The real attraction of the newer hunter boats is their "livability". The 41ds is a real comfortable boat and sails well too.

I don't plan on crossing oceans but will spend ample time coastal sailing up and down the east coast including Bermuda and the Caribbean. I looked at and spoke to a number of 41DS owners and would have gone that route until I saw and sailed the 49.

Regarding the B&R Rig. It's a proven technology and has been around the world. Unless your going to race your boat and want to play with the bend in the mast, no issues. Besides, I don't think Seldon Spars would want their name associated with bad engineering. I received a document from Hunter explaining the rig and the theory behind it. In actuality, it was pages out of the salesman’s playbook but it made sense.

As Cam and others have said, to paraphrase, get the right tool for the job. If I was going to cross the Pacific and go into the Southern Ocean, I’d be on a Valiant.

Dave