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MultiCountryDon · 17-04-2019, 08:06

Good Morning all,
We will leave in June doing a LA > south>tahiti> and beyond cruise.
Opinions please on which of the following is NOT suitable from sailors who have actually completed such passages in the last 15 years.
No need for sofa sailor opinions.
Moody 42CC, Fredom42CC, Hunter Passage 42/45, Morgan 45, Beneteau 44CC, Brewer 44CC, Tayana 42CC.

I know it's a long list but we are looking at these over the next 2 weeks, hoping to select, survey, and buy immediately. What do we remove from our list ?
Thanks,
Don

**boatman61** · 17-04-2019, 08:14

Moody 42CC

odonnellryan · 17-04-2019, 08:17

Don, I'm sure you can find opinions on each of these boats. The more pressing concerns are even if your boat is seemingly outfitted for such a trip at the time of purchase (unlikely?) it may not actually be and you'll need plenty of time to go over boat systems to ensure the gear is in decent shape and to ensure you have adequate spares.

I just spent the entire winter and quite a bit of money outfitting my boat and we're just doing coastal cruising. I'd imagine I want another year of sailing under my belt before I cross an ocean.

You mean this June, right?

robert sailor · 17-04-2019, 08:23

Fact is that if the boats are in decent condition all of them will safely cross oceans as it’s as much about the sailor as it is the boat. Remember people have sailed around the world in Catalina 27’s so all your choices are well ahead of the Catalina.

**Don C L** · 17-04-2019, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Moody 42CC

So the Moody is a poor choice or a good one?

Discovery 15797 · 17-04-2019, 08:43

In my personal opinion, I would never take a Hunter across an ocean...esp. the Pacific. But, that is my own opinion.

However, as Ryan says above...if you are planning for this June I think you may be overly optimistic in your plans.

Turn key boats are never turn key. Fitting out a boat for offshore is a costly and timely endeavor.

And, I also spent the entire winter...working daily on the boat and spending big "boat bucks" to get my boat ready for an August departure for SoPac, and even now I am concerned I might not make the weather window out of Seattle.

**GordMay** · 17-04-2019, 08:57

You're just looking now (over the next 2 weeks), to depart in June (of this year?).
That seems pretty optimistic, to me.

tarian · 17-04-2019, 09:11

I am afraid that you will get a lot of yea and nays on here , but here is the crunch, all boats you mention will get across the Pacific on the right season and the right timing,
How comfortable (generally speaking a heavier boat is better )
How it sails (you will be down wind sailing most of the time )
how much storage

Equipment on board

Now I have a wee bugbear to a boat being set up for Ocean sailing what does that mean?
I do not need a Chart plotter , or maps , a good compass and sextant will take you across. a cheap water stil lots of nuts and pasta, some spare rope , make sure your rigging and sails are decent , what else people ?

Its all about your comfort what do you want to take , not what you need to take , as need is pretty small !!
So choose the boat that fits you not the Ocean

Greg Mason · 17-04-2019, 09:13

Based on the choices and routing you have offered, I wouldn't go on a Hunter or Beneteau myself, which I thought was the original question. As the bowman on a MacGregor 65 that did Victoria-Maui Race, that wouldn't be my choice either. I did go on a Pedrick Cheoy Lee 41' offshore though.

Augi · 17-04-2019, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordMay

You're just looking now (over the next 2 weeks), to depart in June (of this year?).
That seems pretty optimistic, to me.

If you insist leaving in June, perhaps a good plan will be outfit the boat as best you can before you leave in June and sail South planning to stop along the way at ports you can easily further outfit the boat before crossing the Pacific. For example maybe Ensenada, and / or La Paz. As you go no doubt you will learn about further outfitting you will want to do to the new boat.

Captndave1 · 17-04-2019, 09:17

As a retired delivery captain, my choice would be Cabo Rico. Many reasons, too many to explain here, but you may pm me for more info.

Paul Kelly · 17-04-2019, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Fact is that if the boats are in decent condition all of them will safely cross oceans as it’s as much about the sailor as it is the boat. Remember people have sailed around the world in Catalina 27’s so all your choices are well ahead of the Catalina.

I'm afraid I would be inclined to disagree with the above. There's a bit more to a boat than a hull. The term 'decent condition' needs defining in a bit more detail. 'Decent condition' needs to include:

Rigging
Fresh water systems
Electrical systems
Engine and mechanical systems
Seacocks
Sails
Electronics - unless you plan using a sextant daily
Safety systems (liferaft, jackstays etc)
Steering and Autopilot/Self steering systems

and spares for all of the above.

If one of those above breaks or 'goes down' you could have some major headaches on your hands.

I'm mostly a coastal sailor with an annual English Channel crossing - 60 - 100 miles. Even that can have some unexpected moments. I wouldn't dream of going Blue Water sailing without a thorough check and overhaul of all the above. You'll need a bit longer than 6 weeks to do all that.

mabowers · 17-04-2019, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordMay

You're just looking now (over the next 2 weeks), to depart in June (of this year?).
That seems pretty optimistic, to me.

Why does it take me 7 months to shop, buy, repair ("turn key" boat) familiarize, plan, practice, outfit, & provision for a coastal cruise from FL to NH while others can do this in 2 months or less ? I must be a slug.

Actually I have real concerns I won't be underway until mid June, I really want to beat hurricane season and not have to run for a hidey hole. I feel like the last duck migrating north.