Offshore seaworthiness....

[Kenomac]

Boatman,

Have you ever tried to reef a Hunter 42 or 450 main manually without a furling system, boom or in-mast? I have, everything is 7-8 feet above the cockpit deck due to the cockpit arch. It's a real PITA, and that's even when you're in the marina or on a calm day.

If the boat's equipped with a Bimini... good luck, bring a ladder.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Boatman,

Have you ever tried to reef a Hunter 42 or 450 main manually without a furling system, boom or in-mast? I have, everything is 7-8 feet above the cockpit deck due to the cockpit arch. It's a real PITA, and that's even when you're in the marina or on a calm day.

If the boat's equipped with a Bimini... good luck, bring a ladder.

Ahhhh... a Lagoon mono...
Lead everything aft and fit electric winches..
OR
Dump the main and just go downwind...

[Kenomac]

It would be nice if it was that easy, but the Hunter really needs the main sail for power.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by Quicks Landing

I am considering buying a Hunter 42 Passage...I want to sail the Pacific and across the Atlantic...is this boat seaworthy for this type of cruising or should I be looking at other boats?

Yes. the boat is tougher than you, and more seaworthy than some would be's around here.

[Quicks Landing]

Thank you all for the valuable information. The right thing for me to do at this stage is to see what I can do to get a refund on my deposit and take a couple steps back to research the proper boat to move forward with my dreams. Best regards to all and thank you again.

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Boatman,

Have you ever tried to reef a Hunter 42 or 450 main manually without a furling system, boom or in-mast? I have, everything is 7-8 feet above the cockpit deck due to the cockpit arch. It's a real PITA, and that's even when you're in the marina or on a calm day.

If the boat's equipped with a Bimini... good luck, bring a ladder.

That's a design failure that makes the boat totally unfit for short handed sailing and any serious offshore work. If you can't reef the boat by hand and/or do a fix for a failed furling system, the boat is only suitable for inshore sailing. Sh*t happens, if you can't fix it or ameleorate it at sea, you are in for a very unpleasant experience.

These new boats are designed as dockside condos with large interiors that are unsafe at sea. See lots of people bragging about how they are single handing boats larger than 45'. Bet none of them have had to change a headsail in a strong wind. I would be looking at a boat with a max size of around 40' or even smaller with fairly simple systems. As a test, you might try and pick up a bagged genoa for a 40' boat and and carry it up a flight of stairs. Now think about doing that on a boat rolling through 40 degrees while getting deluged by green water, the wind blowing 30k and in the middle of a pitch black night. You may never have to do it but if you do, it's almost guaranteed it will be in the crappiest conditions imaginable. Roller furling on the headsail, slab reefing lead back to the cockpit and lazy jacks on the main. Good strong dodger and bimini to make life in the cockpit pleasant, Steerable by wind vane self steering or enough electrical generating capacity to feed an autopilot and the spare parts to keep it working. A boat with an encapsulated keel. That will cure the 'Oops, lost my keel syndrome of the newest designs. That will also give you a decent sump to keep any water that gets below, and it will, in the bilge not rolling up the sides of the hull soaking everything it comes in contact with. May have to go with an older boat to get a decent seagoing design but it will save you money in the process.

Good luck in your search. Take your time, there's always a good deal out there. Might want to get more experience sailing. Crewing on a racing sailboat is a great way to hone your sailing skills and possibly sail in conditions that are not always bright and sunny.

[Kenomac]

Here's another look at the mainsail furling issue. This is our previous Hunter 450 where furling/reeling the main was solved by using a ProFurl boom, which worked great. My friend's identical boat had lazy Jacks or a Duchman system for dropping the main for reefing. What a PITA, we both dreaded climbing up on top of that narrow cockpit arch, or the three mast steps just to get a hand on the boom. Yes, there's actually a couple of fold down steps leading up the inside of the arch... Honest.... there really is. The top span of the archway is about 8-9 inches wide, and you're supposed to stand up there. The top of my Bimini is 6.5 feet, the boom is an addition 18 inches above that. We had to climb up there like monkeys to put the sail away. So much of the time, George just sailed around only using his jib. Ours was easier with the ProFurl.

Ken

[boatman61]

To be honest.. from this photo of one under sail where you can actually SEE the goose neck it looks no big deal... but then I'm 6'2" with long arms...

[Gerrycooper56]

We sailed a 1991 legend 43 which has the same hull as the Passage 42 from Florida to Oz, no problems. For going downhill the Passage would be better with the masthead rig.


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[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Gerrycooper56

We sailed a 1991 legend 43 which has the same hull as the Passage 42 from Florida to Oz, no problems. For going downhill the Passage would be better with the masthead rig.
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I note your current Bob Perry Tayana 52. Just an observation.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by boatman61

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]To be honest.. from this photo of one under sail where you can actually SEE the goose neck it looks no big deal... but then I'm 6'2" with long arms...

OK Phil.... I'm beginning to SEE how you can do it.

[Gerrycooper56]

Originally Posted by Muckle Flugga

I note your current Bob Perry Tayana 52. Just an observation.

Admiral wanted a bigger boat and the 52 is beautiful


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[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Gerrycooper56

Admiral wanted a bigger boat and the 52 is beautiful


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Yes indeed!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

OK Phil.... I'm beginning to SEE how you can do it.

ROFLMAO.... I've shaved since then..

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Quicks Landing

Thank you all for the valuable information. The right thing for me to do at this stage is to see what I can do to get a refund on my deposit and take a couple steps back to research the proper boat to move forward with my dreams. Best regards to all and thank you again.

Smart move. I feel for you though, I know what it's like to fall in love with a boat and then discover it's not right. I agree with Roverhi's advice too. There are boats that are beautiful at the dock and there are boats that are beautiful in a storm, and they are not often the same boat.