Hunter 33 sailing around Cape Horn

[PhoenixRising]

Unfortunately, there are people who think that calling something insane is just an invitation to try it out. I happen to be one. What would be some suggested modifications to hull and rigging that might improve chances of success (I have a 376)?

[Delay]

Is the goal the challenge of actually "rounding the horn" or is the goal to get from east coast to west coast (or vice versa) safely?

Why don't people go through the Strait of Magellan? It seems to be very sheltered and a nice easy(er) passage.

It's the challenge right?

Right?

[mrohr]

Luck enters the equation when asking" is it possible to.........?".I do not believe that it is seamanlike to count on a fair amount of luck to make some poorly conceived adventure possible.Of course,there is some risk when going to sea;but the prudent mariner should be thinking of maximizing preparation and minimizing the luck requirements. There are very few craft designed for the recreational sailor that are ready to sail to the ends of the earth,but I suppose somebody could someday climb Mt Everest solo in tennis shoes.

[susswein]

More than 20 years ago someone rounded the cape in a klepper (18' folding kayak with sail rig). A few years ago a couple of guys made the passage from South America to antarctica in a hobie cat, so I guess anything is possible if you're lucky with the weather.

You feelin' lucky, punk?

[Khagan1227]

Even if it is cold and wet during the southern summer, I'd still want to stop and look around, I doubt you'd pass that way many more times in your life.

I agree with most of the other posters above, going to have to pick your weather window and pray it holds. Things seem to go south (no pun intended) pretty quick in the southern ocean.

[tropicalescape]

Hunter 33?Cape Horn?..

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Unfortunately, there are people who think that calling something insane is just an invitation to try it out. I happen to be one. What would be some suggested modifications to hull and rigging that might improve chances of success (I have a 376)?

I would:
1] go West to East.
2] add 3 stingers along the hull on each side.
3] upsize the chain plates
4] replace all standing rigging including wire, toggles, turnbuckles etc, upsize the rigging wire by one size or convert to compacted wire which would achieve the same result
5] add provisions for storm boards over all the windows
6] seriously consider adding a backstay
7] make provisions for a transom hung replacement rudder, not just a kludged together emergency rudder, but a real replacement rudder. If the rudder packs it in down there, the replacement needs to be up to serious work.
8] add an removable inner forestay for a hanked on storm staysail and go with 4 reefs in the main
9] if you skip the inner forestay, go with 3 reefs in the main and a trysail on its own track and convert the headsail to hanked on sails. 8] is really the much better option, redundant rigging and ease of setting a storm jib.
10] add a babystay from the low spreaders down to the fordeck
11] glass over the hull deck joint
12] move the mainsheet from its current position at midboom to a traveler on the bridge-deck
13] consider adding a masthead spinnaker halyard for a CodeZero or a screecher
14] consider adding a short anchoring platform that would also serve as a bowsprit for 13]

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by Adelie

I would:
1] go West to East.
2] add 3 stingers along the hull on each side.
3] upsize the chain plates
4] replace all standing rigging including wire, toggles, turnbuckles etc, upsize the rigging wire by one size or convert to compacted wire which would achieve the same result
5] add provisions for storm boards over all the windows
6] seriously consider adding a backstay
7] make provisions for a transom hung replacement rudder, not just a kludged together emergency rudder, but a real replacement rudder. If the rudder packs it in down there, the replacement needs to be up to serious work.
8] add an removable inner forestay for a hanked on storm staysail and go with 4 reefs in the main
9] if you skip the inner forestay, go with 3 reefs in the main and a trysail on its own track and convert the headsail to hanked on sails. 8] is really the much better option, redundant rigging and ease of setting a storm jib.
10] add a babystay from the low spreaders down to the fordeck
11] glass over the hull deck joint
12] move the mainsheet from its current position at midboom to a traveler on the bridge-deck
13] consider adding a masthead spinnaker halyard for a CodeZero or a screecher
14] consider adding a short anchoring platform that would also serve as a bowsprit for 13]

build up the mast support beam on any 80s era Hunter 33 (I have seen this member split into and crack thru the FG)..

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by tropicalescape

build up the mast support beam on any 80s era Hunter 33 (I have seen this member split into and crack thru the FG)..

PhoenixRising was asking about a Hunter 376 which began production in 1997 and has a post under the mast.

[ElGatoGordo]

Heck YEAH it's possible!!!! This guy did it in a 27 footer....actually he went around both N & S America.

Solo Around the America's Under Sail | An audacious attempt at sailing the Northwest Passage and circumnavigating entirety of both continents, to benefit Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating

But then that's HIM! The question is...can YOU round the Horn...in anything. Then you can pick a boat! But I suspect a troll...as many others do as well :-)

[sailstoo]

Originally Posted by bluetequila

Is it possible for my Hunter 33 to make it around Cape Horn and if possible what is the best way to do this....coastal sailing, etc.

Take off the Windex and slide a Westsail 32 beneath it.

[ElGatoGordo]

Originally Posted by sailstoo

Take off the Windex and slide a Westsail 32 beneath it.

OK THAT was funny

[Katiusha]

This is the couple that did it in stock Hunter 45: Sequitur

I think they only upsized fuel tanks...

[sneuman]

This was the OP's one and only post, so we can only assume that he or she is out there doing it. In fact, given the time of year, that Hunter 33 is probably rounding the Horn as we sit here watching our blinking monitors!

[s/v Beth]

Or we can assume that the OP is a 13yo kid that enjoys stirring up things with his blinking monitor. I think that probability is higher.