I'm not familiar with the CS30, but I will bet good money, the majority of Sailnetters will tell you that a Hunter 33 is not a blue water boat. If you want to coastal cruise or island hop where you are never more than 100 miles from land, go for it.

 

You should consult with reputable, objective, third-party sources (which would not include a owner of that brand of sailboat) to answer this question. Mahina Expeditions has an extensive list of blue water boats with comments about each. Why don't you check that list to see if any CSs or Hunters are listed?
Mahina Expedition - Selecting A Boat for Offshore Cruising

Many novices make the mistake of believing the boat is what matters. The skipper is far more important than the boat. The most important characteristics of a competent skipper are his good judgment, common sense and problem solving ability. The second most important characteristics would be courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. If you read the forum threads here long enough, you will realize that these characteristics are in short supply.

The sad fact is these aspects can not be bought (unless you hire a good skipper) or taught, no matter how many ASA courses one takes. Years and years of experience do not necessarily develop these aspects. There are plenty of threads here where someone ends up abandoning a perfectly capable blue-water boat because he or she has poor judgment or lacks courage - do a forum search for "Coast Guard rescue". No boat can make up for those deficiencies in a sailor.

So the real question is: Are you capable of making such a passage?

 

The most important characteristics of a competent skipper are his good judgment, common sense and problem solving ability. The second most important characteristics would be courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. If you read the forum threads here long enough, you will realize that these characteristics are in short supply.

?

James.

Interesting. Is that how you feel about most posters who post in the forum threads here?

I Just want to make sure I understand your statement correctly, or give you a chance to backstroke away from it: Are you stating that the most of the posters here lack good judgment, common sense, problem solving ability, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity by stating

"If you read the forum threads here long enough, you will realize that these characteristics are in short supply"- James Wilson

To the Original Poster of the thread.

I am going to assume that you ( the OP) is an intelligent adult who understands the need for experience and safety to undertake a coastal or blue water passage. His question was about the aspects of different boats specifically a Hunter 33 and a CS 30.

My Advice is to do some reading looking into cruising forums is well taken as any boat can be made to sail coastal in mainly day trips. That being said the structural overall quality and sailing characteristics of the two you mentioned are different. The CS although smaller is a more stout boat with a good reputation overall. Lots of attention to detail including the interior went into these boats in general. Hunters vary differently in build quality in model size as well as when they were built IMHO. Hard to find better boats in the production field than the older Cherubini Hunters.

Its good you are asking the questions and starting to research and do you homewark. Continue that with saialing experiences with others including some with those with more than you so your learning curve goes fast.

I addition feel free to pick the brains of the posters in the threads here on Sailnet. Many have good experience and most are willing to share.

 

Well the CS is in a completely different category of boat. They are finely crafted and well made, while the Hunter is a mass produced boat. Kind of the difference between a Ford and a Lincoln. though neither is really suited to off shore work. Neither is a bad boat, but as all boats are both were made to a price point, just fewer compromises to price will have been made on the CS. Shoal draft, while great for gunk holing will be quite a bit more tender, so have less comfortable motion in rough water.

 

I only know the CS boats from what I have read on here over the years. Its reputation is of a well built boat. I imagine besides being 3 feet shorter the CS will be smaller just because it is not a Hunter. On most all Hunters I have been on I am always amazed at how much space they have made down below given the boats length. The lay out of the CS though is impressive in terms of a double berth aft on a 30 footer is not bad for a boat of its era and reputation.

I had rented a Hunter 33 two weeks ago. While it was nice to have all the space it came at the cost of speed. I am usually disappointed with rental boats as I only have the 42 foot boat I race on to compare to with 12 headsails and a crew of 8 to make it go fast. The Hunter's performance left me unimpressed, but the object that day was not speed I am always comparing boats potentials.

I don't think either of those boats are the one you want to take around the world. But they would both get you to the Bahamas and back. My guess is the CS is would be more fun while sailing, the Hunter more space while at anchor.

 

James makes an excellent point.

Question to the OP...what is your sailing experience? I'm guessing either...not much if you think you can go around the world on a Hunter 33 or so much experience that you are confident in your skills that you can sail anything around the world.

 

I think you are approaching this decision. You don't really start with a couple of boats and see if they fit your intended purpose. You should start by identifying the characteristics of the boat you need (not an easy task judging by the endless discussions here and elsewhere about the 'perfect' bluewater boat, and then look for a boat that fits those characteristics that is within your budget.

Is either of these boats 'ideal' for a circumnavigation? In my view, neither even comes close. Both strike me as too lightly built for one thing and have too small tankage for another. We have done 30,000 miles so far on our rtw. The wear and tear is never-ending and it takes a rugged boat to stand up to it. I think you will find relatively few average boats in Canada (or elsewhere) that are up to the challenge. Where are you, btw? Also what sort of budget are you looking at?

 

If they are similar vintage boats the cs 30 will sail circles around the hunter. Raced against one on a c&c 33 for years. That being said they were both designed to be coastal cruisers not blue water boat.
Like my 40 the 30 was designed by Tony Castro. Fast, balanced and well laid out designs.
Jim

 

Thank you all very much for your answers. I appreciate your help as I'm an experienced sailor from germany and not that familar with hunters and cs because they are built in north america and I recently came to Canada.
@ killarney sailor: we are located in Toronto and we are looking for a cheaper but solid boat for our voyage. would you recommend a specific boat you have experience with?

 

That is a more difficult question than it might seem for a couple of reasons. One is that kind of boat people want for summer cruising on the lake is very different conceptually than a boat for extended cruising. The other is that when the loonie was worth 65 cents US, Americans came shopping here and bought a lot of boats. Now, of course with the Canadian dollar much higher the movement of boats has reversed a bit, which may explain the Hunter if it here. When we were looking for a boat for extended cruising the only suitable boats we saw in Ontario were a Nagara 42 and a Bristol 41.1 and they were grossly overpriced. The mechanism for buying a boat in the US is quite simple. The only problem is that when you actually bring the boat into the country you must pay HST (and duty if the boat was not built in Canada or the US). We bought our boat in the US and she has never been in Canada so no tax.

When we were looking for our previous boat we short listed the Niagara 35 and CS 36 (different designer from the 30 and quite a different boat, there is also a CS 33 that is like the 36 I think and a Niagara 31 which looks like the 35 but is quite a different boat). Don't know if your budget would extend to one of these boats but I would not limit myself only to these. See what is available in nearby US - we looked from Maine to the Chesapeake and in the Maritimes too. Might look at Bristol 35.5 and Wauquiez 35 too. I just don't know boats in the 30 to 33' range well-enough to make a suggestion.

Forgot to say we bought a Niagara 35 Classic and quit liked it which is why we started out search with the N42.

Forgot #2 - there are two completely different CS36s. I was referring to the older one, the 36 Traditional.

 

You might want to take a look at the website jameswilson suggested on how to pick a blue water cruiser where it gives the pros and cons of different style boats. Once you figure out what is and isn't important to you, your search will narrow.

 

I know two fella's with Shark 24's who single handed (side by side) from Ontario to Portugal to Cuba and home... very handy boys (in their 70's) and very experienced.

For those boys to have made the trip in a CS30, well, they would have considered it a luxury cruise.

The OP says he is an experienced sailor, so giving him the benefit of the doubt and supposing he has closely looked at both boats and understands the compromises ..... The CS30 is one of the best built production boats ever !

 

To me the OP's question begs a serious discussion, he might as well included an Optimist in the list, the two selections clearly indicate randomness.

As to the CS30, which would be a personal favorite as a premium coastal cruiser, it fits poorly as a bluewater cruiser. Just because the CS36 and maybe a few other CSes make a decent bluewater boat, does not mean anything CS does... Better to review an old thread then to redo it...http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-...se-forum/61312-cs30-solo-nonstop-circumnavigation-via-cape-horn.html#post560767

 

James James always with the personal assasination. I have grown to expect it from you. Certainly your post has nothing to do with the thread and is unecessary. Cant you contain your venom or feelings?

Just to set the record straight about my credentials, because no one deserves to be lied about or denigrated like you did. Least you could state the truth here. Statements left unrefuted may become fact in some minds.

In the last 30 years besides owning a sailboat, I have done 2 Atlantic Crossings, a Carribean 1500, a number of deliveries as crew up and down the Atlantic seaboard, chartered places multiple times including Tortolla, Chicago, and Long Beach California to Catalina Island for weeks at a time. Guess what James, all with multiple days and night sailing. No fear of that here at all, just enough common sense not to fall asleep at the wheel by myself near the coast like you in an ill equipped vessel with a lack of experience. In addition for 8 years I crewed on one of the most successful boats in Annapolis in the Wednesday noight races. I dont like to tout my credentials or experience, but you sir and I are on different wavelengths. I still am learning from others and are humbled by people like Jon and Dave who deliver vessels for a living. I am humbled by Charlie about boat refurishment. I am humbled by Maine about Electrontics.

Since being married 8 years ago to a woman who couldnt swim, let alone ever sailed, we have averaged over 3000 nm a year on our little 35 footer cruising the New England and the LI Sound every summer as well as the Chesapeake, and the Carribean ( Charter). My goal has been to give my wife the time and the chance to enjoy, love the boat and slowly gain experience to develop confidence for the goal of a larger boat and cruising the Carribean as retirement is on the horizon. During this periods we have spend all night on the ocean as well as the Bay in transit. Of course we were properly equipped and alert. Safety always first. I will have no need to go it alone as my wife is my partner and companion. It is important to know how to transit inlets safely ( every bluewater sailor knows that), and our trip to NE is a vacation so there is no need on it to take huge hours at sea when we can sail 30-50 miles and enjoy a quiet anchorage, a good restauarnt, or a quiant town.

James we arent even in the same ocean for sailing experience. Sailing around the great state of Delaware is not much experience. Doing it while sleep deprived on purpose is unsafe. Thats ok as SN has many levels and I have learned from others on here with less experience as well as more. I dare say my wife has much more overall experience than you have and as she continues her learning curve with off shore trips continues to amaze me at her grasp of sailing and the love for the open ocean. You may never have a chance to even keep up with her James. In addition how sad to have to go it alone and not be able enjoy these great explorations with your partner.

If I ever wanted to learn how to organize a raft-up, discover which wine and cheese are best for a raft-up, or how to anchor with a bunch of other boats, I would seek your opinion- James Wilson

.

I guess this refers to the Sailnet Rondevous my wife and I help organize annually for the last 5 years. I am happy and also proud to bring sailors together. No need to divide them up like you with negativeity. I guess because my wife is involved with sailing,,and my nature, the social experience SN has provided us with meeting people is important to both of us. We have made some great friends and met them in person on here in the Chesapeake, in the LI Sound and in California, and yes even rafted up and had wine and cheese and good commradiere. I dont see that as a negative. While I may not always play well with others on here ( but look who it is I dont) I value and cherish the sailing friendships I have made in person.

In the future feel free to PM me with personal stuff like this, its not a courtroom and you really arent on display here, and it really doesnt stay with the theme of the thread. I would also appreciate it if you would check you facts before posting continued inaccuracies.

Now back to the OP question.

 

James James always with the personal assasination. I have grown to expect it from you. Certainly your post has nothing to do with the thread and is unecessary. Cant you contain your venom or feelings?

Just to set the record straight about my credentials, because no one deserves to be lied about or denigrated like you did. Least you could state the truth here. Statements left unrefuted may become fact in some minds.

In the last 30 years besides owning a sailboat, I have done 2 Atlantic Crossings, a Carribean 1500, a number of deliveries as crew up and down the Atlantic seaboard, chartered places multiple times including Tortolla, Chicago, and Long Beach California to Catalina Island for weeks at a time. Guess what James, all with multiple days and night sailing. No fear of that here at all, just enough common sense not to fall asleep at the wheel by myself near the coast like you in an ill equipped vessel with a lack of experience. In addition for 8 years I crewed on one of the most successful boats in Annapolis in the Wednesday noight races. I dont like to tout my credentials or experience, but you sir and I are on different wavelengths. I still am learning from others and are humbled by people like Jon and Dave who deliver vessels for a living. I am humbled by Charlie about boat refurishment. I am humbled by Maine about Electrontics.

Since being married 8 years ago to a woman who couldnt swim, let alone ever sailed, we have averaged over 3000 nm a year on our little 35 footer cruising the New England and the LI Sound every summer as well as the Chesapeake, and the Carribean ( Charter). My goal has been to give my wife the time and the chance to enjoy, love the boat and slowly gain experience to develop confidence for the goal of a larger boat and cruising the Carribean as retirement is on the horizon. During this periods we have spend all night on the ocean as well as the Bay in transit. Of course we were properly equipped and alert. Safety always first. I will have no need to go it alone as my wife is my partner and companion. It is important to know how to transit inlets safely ( every bluewater sailor knows that), and our trip to NE is a vacation so there is no need on it to take huge hours at sea when we can sail 30-50 miles and enjoy a quiet anchorage, a good restauarnt, or a quiant town.

James we arent even in the same ocean for sailing experience. Sailing around the great state of Delaware is not much experience. Doing it while sleep deprived on purpose is unsafe. Thats ok as SN has many levels and I have learned from others on here with less experience as well as more. I dare say my wife has much more overall experience than you have and as she continues her learning curve with off shore trips continues to amaze me at her grasp of sailing and the love for the open ocean. You may never have a chance to even keep up with her James. In addition how sad to have to go it alone and not be able enjoy these great explorations with your partner.

I guess this refers to the Sailnet Rondevous my wife and I help organize annually for the last 5 years. I am happy and also proud to bring sailors together. No need to divide them up like you with negativeity. I guess because my wife is involved with sailing,,and my nature, the social experience SN has provided us with meeting people is important to both of us. We have made some great friends and met them in person on here in the Chesapeake, in the LI Sound and in California, and yes even rafted up and had wine and cheese and good commradiere. I dont see that as a negative. While I may not always play well with others on here ( but look who it is I dont) I value and cherish the sailing friendships I have made in person.

In the future feel free to PM me with personal stuff like this, its not a courtroom and you really arent on display here, and it really doesnt stay with the theme of the thread. I would also appreciate it if you would check you facts before posting continued inaccuracies.

Daggers are out, touche'

 

I have a cs 30. A great boat for the great Lakes, sturdy, we'll built and good accommodations. Plan to retire in about 6 years and am giving some serious thought about taking a boat down to the carribean for a year or two. However it will not be on a CS30, for two good reasons. First it's to light in displacement, and second is that the tankage is not large enough. Can't say anything about the hunter, but I wouldn't recommend the CS30. Oh, and you better believe the boat I will take will have a swim platform. This climbing over the stern railing gets old fast.

 

OK guys, we've gotten way off track here. The OP asked a simple question...which boat, A or B would be the better boat for some serious, long range cruising. We have answered his question and I think we have convinced him that neither are suitable blue water boats and he should continue his search.
Let's call this thread closed and move on to other topics.

 

This is SailNet. It's about SAILING of all types: Daysailing, cruising, racing, dinghy sailing, picnic sailing, whatever. It's all good. Who the hell cares if someone has "a huge hole" in their "sailing resume" that hinders their "sailing career?" That judgmental stuff is just silly, and makes people reluctant to post for fear of being ridiculed - or psychoanalyzed.

Dave's a good guy who will give you the shirt off his back. He hosts his picnic out of kindness, and nothing else as far as I can tell. Lay off the guy.