New sailboater (4yrs exp.) needs advice

[Isaiah241]

Greetings from Bienne Switzerland. Actually on last week of a 6-wk tour offering seminars & retreats. Home base is Palm Springs, CA. My wife and I are intending to go `liveaboard`by spring `09 with intentions of traveling and anchoring from Baja to Vancouver, B.C. We plan to offer some 3 and 5-day retreats for individuals and couples òn the water`.

After some limited on-line research, we feel that the Hunter 37 or 36fter might be the one. My sailing experience is a couple yrs on 14 & 15 ft Lasers, occasional Cat, 35ftr and 4 years windsurfing (both in Hawaii).

We would love to have some advice on: 1) Hunter as choice, 2) That with proper instruction (classes) & study in advance, is it doable for us? We are both in excellent health and would be permanently berthed in the L.A - San Diego area. I know it`s a big bite, but we love the ocean and sailing. It`s time to live our dream! We are grateful for any assistance. Isaiah 241

[Hud3]

Hello, Isaiah, and welcome!

I've never had any experience with Hunters, but I'm sure the Hunter owners and other experienced sailors on the Forum will chime in with advice for you. If you can sail a Laser well, you've already mastered the basics. Keelboats are actually easier to sail than the small dinghies. Hone your docking skills, learn about sailing in all the kinds of weather you'll expect to see, and you're on your way to a lot of fun.

[imagine2frolic]

WELCOME,

Your retreats are charters, and that opens a can of worms. First you would need to obtain a captain's license, and your insurance will surely multiply immensley. You are chasing the same idea many have. To have someone contribute to the lifestyle. It is a competitive job, although you have a different angle.........BEST WISHES in getting all the information you seek.....i2f

[camaraderie]

Some of the toughest and worst coastline in the world along those shores with nowhere to hide. You may want to think about just where you hold your "retreats".

[slomotion]

FWIW, we cruised an ‘83 Hunter 34 all over the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean for 2 ½ years. She was 16 years old when we bought her and she served us well. I have no experience sailing on the west coast, but I suspect there is a significant difference between sailing in Southern California and the Pacific North West. I’m not familiar with the newer Hunters except that I don’t like the look of some of them - but I’m old and don’t like the look of a lot of modern designs. The old Hunter 37C and 37 Legend were good (and very different) boats but .......well, they’re all pretty old too.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Isaiah,
Welcome to the never ending search for the perfect boat. I would expand your search and pick a boat that you can walk up to the side of and push without having it indent the hull (oil canning) anywhere along its side. If you are going to sail test a boat then go below when you are in seaway in a bit of rough weather and check the bulkheads for movement (working).
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Isaiah241]

Thanks Hud, The adventure begins. I love this kind of homework - sort of like years ago, when I was researching what kind of airplane to buy.

+ Isaiah +

[Isaiah241]

Thanks for the heads-up.&nbsp; We will do the Due Diligence as we move forward.&nbsp; Research, research, research!.... Totally into it!<br>+ Isaiah "<br>

[Isaiah241]

Thanks Cam, <br>Definitely taking your insights into our considerations as to where our vision will best be realized.<br><br>+ Isaiah +<br>

[Isaiah241]

Thanks for sharing your experience.&nbsp; You may be `Slo`, but you ain`t old!&nbsp; Wise I`d say.&nbsp; Definitely not old!<br>+ Isaiah +<br>

[Isaiah241]

Mahalo John,<br>We will follow your advice when we arrive at that stage in our pursuit of right vessel.&nbsp; BTW, where do you berth your beautiful boat?&nbsp; I moved to Big Island in `82, moved to Lanikai, Oahu in `83 where my youngest son was born.&nbsp; Cut my chops on Lasers, Cats and windsurfing Kailua Bay.&nbsp; Lived in Maui, and Kauai and back to Big Island where we lived in Kona Paradise for four yrs.&nbsp; Two of my sons still live on Big Island.&nbsp; One in Puna and one up in <em>Honokohau.<br><br>Me ke Aloha pumehana,<br>+ Isaiah +<br></em>