Hunter 27: Blue Water Capable?

[Celestialsailor]

Pacific Seacraft 27

[Tetepare]

A Hunter is about blue water as a Honda Accord is race-ready.

Aside from the fact that it's not outfitted for blue water, it won't take the beating for long.

Hunter makes a great boat for weekends and regional cruising. So does Catalina. Same for new Beneteaus, Hanse, etc. Some are better than others- the B430, C42 come to mind as better built, certainly as compared to modern designs.

It's not about those nice days, or even the challenging days. It's when things to go to ****. That's what defines a blue water boat.

My friends caught the edge of a hurricane from Bermuda in a thick-hulled Pearson 36 when other boats disappeared. The video they shot was shocking- the Pearson groaned like an old man falling down the stairs. They made it, but one failure and it would have been over. On the other hand, I offshored on a Lefitte 44 in a storm (during which another boat disappeared) and it was "relatively" comfortable.

It's not "90% crew". The best race driver in a Honda Accord is still going to destroy the Honda while a BMW might survive, and a Porsche will perform adequately. Having the proper tool to begin with is what builds the foundation.

I don't believe my C30TR to be blue water capable, though it's more solid than many of the modern (including Hunter) designs. But to each their own. I say go prove it.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Gatorm

OK, so from a newbie on sailing, who does make a really good 27' boat?

Here is a good list of small sailboats that can be offshore capable. Many are already strong enough to sail offshore for short periods like weekend and vacation cruising

The man that made the list has circumnavigated twice on a Pearson Triton 28. You can read about that on this site also

Atom Voyages - Good Old Boats List