Stan Huntingford Designed Explorer 45

[SurfingSS]

Goodday,

I'm still looking for a blue water boat and just found a 1979 Explore 45 for sale in my area. Does anyone know anything about the Explore 45 cutter rig designed by Stan Huntingford? Mainly what are it's blue water capabilities,... righting motion and the like?! Any opinions?! Here are the specs I have so far:

LOA .....45'3" Ballast.............10,430 lbs

LWL.....34'0" Displacement.....30,000

Beam....13'0" Sail Area...........861 + sq ft

Draft.....6'8" Water...............198 gallons

Engine...35 HP Fuel.................175 gallons

Perkins 4-108

Extensive sail inventory

6 man Avon life raft in valise

Teak interior

Stainless and teak wheel

Force 10 barbecue

Two heads

8 berths

Spacious after-stateroom with ample headroom

Efficient U-shaped galley

Gimbaled propane stove

Norcold 12/120 refrigerator

45 pound CQR anchor

Furuno 16 mile 1720 radar

Raytheon VHF radio

Signet Fathometer

Signet Knot/log

Ritchie compass

Signet wind direction/speed

EPIRB Class B 243 type

Manual, double action, two speed, lever activated anchor windlass

Cheers!

[MMNETSEA]

Hello There,

Sometime ago I spent some time with the late Stan Huntingford at his home on Vancouver's North Shore when I was interested in his Maple Leaf 42 being built by Cooper Yachts nearby. I had the pleasure of sailing with him on a friend's Explorer 45 . A very comfortable boat - I seem to remember that it was a centre-cockpit ketch with a staysail which I guess would make it a cutter rigged ketch ( therefore might be the same design as you are looking at)

It sailed very well, certainly a boat that could sail the bluest oceans.

Here is a link to another one - which certainly has held its value : - CLICK

[SurfingSS]

Attached is some info the seller sent me.

[SurfingSS]

Here is another one. Looks like a blue water boat!? What do you think? Any one have 2 cents to throw at me?

[Johnnymac]

Hi,

I bought a Explorer 45 last year and I am really happy with her. Boat had sat for 5+ years when I got her, but took her down coast of California from San Francisco to Morro Bay no problem. Spent about a month in the Channel Islands this year and was really happy. Boat was comfortable at sea and anchor. Plenty of room for my two kids and all the toys (surfboards, kayaks etc.) She sails really nice in all conditions makes about 7 knots average. I brought her back around Pt. Conception dry and comfortable. I do not think you can go wrong. If you want to discuss further, let me know.

Cheers, John

[CapnBazza]

[QUOTE=name='SurfingSS' date='Nov 4 2008, 05:20 AM' post='27370']

Goodday,

I'm still looking for a blue water boat and just found a 1979 Explore 45 for sale in my area. Does anyone know anything about the Explore 45 cutter rig designed by Stan Huntingford? Mainly what are it's blue water capabilities,... righting motion and the like?! Any opinions?! Here are the specs I have so far:

G'day Mate.

We owned the Spirit of Wychwood Explorer 45 for about 8 years and spent 7 of those full-time cruising. We sailed her from Sydney up the Australian East Coast, spent 2 years in the Whitsundays then headed off from Townsville to PNG, Micronesia and the Phillipines. The Explorer 45 would have to be one of the most comfortable Seaboats we have ever cruised on. We also left many others, including light weight Cruiser/Racers in our wake and we survived Typhoons, Cyclones and even pirates.

If you have bought her by now, congratulations. If you have not and she's still available, get her quick! If you've bought something else, commiserations, better luck next time.

Warm regards and good sailing,

CapnBazza and Admiral Roz.

[nico2b]

Originally Posted by Johnnymac

Hi,

I bought a Explorer 45 last year and I am really happy with her. Boat had sat for 5+ years when I got her, but took her down coast of California from San Francisco to Morro Bay no problem. Spent about a month in the Channel Islands this year and was really happy. Boat was comfortable at sea and anchor. Plenty of room for my two kids and all the toys (surfboards, kayaks etc.) She sails really nice in all conditions makes about 7 knots average. I brought her back around Pt. Conception dry and comfortable. I do not think you can go wrong. If you want to discuss further, let me know.

Cheers, John

Hi John,
I'm looking at a ketch version for sale (south of France).
How would you rate the quality of construction: deck to hull join?, construction methoc for the teak laid deck?, leaks near or about portholes,deckmounted hardware?, strengh of bulkhead attachments?
Thank you for any input