Hunter 40

[mark]

I'm considering buying a 1989 Hunter 40 to sail (initially) from Los Angeles to Hawaii. While I've seen and heard lots of opinions on the Hunter 40, I would love to hear from people who have actually sailed this boat in rough weather (defined however you wish). What modifications would you recommend to the stock boat before making such a trip? Any knowledge of any particular "weak" features of the boat (either in construction or design) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all! -Mark

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Mark,

Hunter Owners have a web site where I am sure you will get some good honest feedback.

Check this URL :- www.hunterowners.com

Good Luck

Richard

[imagine2frolic]

Having chartered 38 ft., and 42 ft. to sail from Miami too the Bahamas. I personally would not be interested in your planned sail. I would look for a BLUEWATER CRUISER with some displacement, and a proven track record. To me Hunter is a well laid out boat for weekend trips, and sail fine in moderate weather. After that I prefer to be on something else.

OOPS, pushed the wrong button.....

I am not knocking Hunter, and owners do go far in them. It is just my personal opinion with my limited experience. I would think for less money you could find a stronger boat.....GOOD LUCK in your search for what fits you.

[Trim50]

A few weeks ago when I went out for a day sail with a nice 25 knot wind...I was just starting to get my rails wet with full sails when I blew past a 40ft Hunter with two reefs and the genoa half furled. I couldn't imagine what he'd be flying if it actually got windy.

[Auzzee]

I'm going nuts here, trying to remember the name of a regular Australian contributor to the US mag. Cruising World. The man and his wife live in the Whitsunday Island group on the Oz east coast.

He bought a used Hunter (maybe 36') on the west coast of the US and sailed it to Oz probably 2 years ago. The preparation and journey were detailed in CW. He is a very experienced sailor and was full of praise for the seaworthiness of his craft.

Recently a Hunter 33 left Darwin to continue a circumnavigation, which commenced in the US. The man who was solo sailing his boat told me "Hunter's of today are not what they were 10 years ago...."

I have little knowledge of Hunter yachts, but it seems to me there are a hell of a lot of them sailing the oceans of the world. Beneteau yachts once had a poor reputation also....but these days they command respect because of their blue water capability.

While I speak with very little authority on this subject, I wonder if those who decry the modern, capable production boats are the same people who lament that "....they don't make cars like they used to"!

I reiterate, I know little about Beneteaus, even less about Hunters....But there are a lot of them crossing oceans safely. If I can remember the name of the bloke who sailed his used Hunter from the US to Oz, I will publish it here.

Cheers.

David.

[imagine2frolic]

David,

I have to agree owners do go far in Hunters. I would attribute this to seamanship. Just look what Webb Chiles has accomplished. In my humble opinion I think Hunters are great weekenders. The ones I chartered had no storage, and were very tender in 25 knots, and in that same wind was deeply reefed, or her rail was buried deep. I don't like sailing on my ear.....LOL

Most boats have thier place, and Hunter sells accomodations. There is a fella now who is sailing a Hunter 52 all over the world with great success. I guess the answer is a good survey, and some sea trials when it is blowing snot.

[Auzzee]

They certainly do have accommodation. The 33' was positively huge down below compared even to any 36 I have been aboard.

Cheers

David.

[atavist]

I must be missing something... why can't a person have the best of both worlds... why are there no full keel hunters, bavarias, beneteaus?... why would it have to affect the accomodation to have a heavier full keep instead of the little bulb or fin keels that many of these boats have??

[imagine2frolic]

Having more sleeping space, and sitting space. Well, that takes away from storage, and when you cruise you will want to take as much as you can in the way of provisions, parts, and tools. Not to mention equipment. You have to ask yourself this. Do you want to entertain, or cruise?

Possibly a catamaran will do you better? I can't use my storage space, because there is so much. I have a 5ft. x 10ft work shop alone. 3 berths with tons of drawers, and 2 heads. A 5x5ft room just for drying towels, and clothing. My nav station is it's own room that is 8x5ft. Life is full of comprimises. Sailboats are a comprimise in every aspect. I hate beating in winds over 20 knots, or on a beam in over 30 knots. Cats make thunder like a midwest summer afternnon, and it takes a long time to get use to it.....LOL a GOOD SAILING MONOHULL WIND SAIL TO WINDWARD MUCH MORE KINDLY.

[atavist]

granted there is always a compromise between space for storage and space for sleeping but what I'm wondering about is underwater profile... why are there no boats, at least that I know of, which are well appointed but have a good heavyweather underwater profile?

[imagine2frolic]

These boat makers are looking for the smallest wet surface. I would appreciate more keel. It'snot a race, it's a cruise. I think more keel is a kinder bluewater boat.