Best Cruiser: Endeavour VS Hunter (Opinions???)

[wisenomad]

Best Cruiser: Endeavour VS Hunter (Opinions???)

I'm a novice sailor looking to purchase my first sailboat. And am considering two models:
Endeavour 43cc (Ketch) from 1979 - models
Hunter 42cc (Sloop) from 1995 - models

I looking for opinions between these two boats or even other suggestions. I need a center cockpit vessel within this size range. Mostly for coastal and Caribbean cruising and possibly some heavy blue water cruising as well. (No draft larger the 5'3".)

Both these vessels have similar layouts, but I hear the Endeavour is heavy and a slow cruiser, but a stronger blue water cruiser then the Hunter. Both models used sell on average between $100 - 150k. Considering the Hunter is 15 years newer...so what is the better buy? Better Boat? (considering all the variables)

Opinions & thoughts wanted...Many thanks!

[David M]

You mentioned blue water cruising. Therefore I would choose the more durable, heavier boat. Hunters are not heavy duty blue water cruisers.

There are lots of other boats out there that are suitable to blue water cruising. Why limit your choice to these two boats?

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Wise,
Welcome aboard! Good to have you here. I am an opinionated "sun of a gun" so will tell you that I'd choose neither. I don't care for cc and I don't care for the idea of owning such a large vessel when smaller will do just as much.
Anyway it is good to have you here and asking questions with specific boats in mind. I do agree with what David said.
Good luck in your search.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by wisenomad

(No draft larger the 5'3".)

Don't know where the magic is in this number. But the only Endeavour 43s I could find claimed drafts of 5'5" or 5'6". All the Hunter 42ccs claimed 4'11".