hunter sailboat circumnavigation

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Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation

Circumnavigation is an undeniably enjoyable experience made even more fun with the right sailboats. Read on to find the best sailboats for circumnavigation!

October 17, 2023

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

The best sailboats for circumnavigation include the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS, Neel 51, and Island Packet 349. These boats offer passengers a thoroughly enjoyable sailing experience and the reliability, efficiency, and luxury they need from a long-haul sailing vessel.

Circumnavigation is all about navigating the world oceans on a dream sailing trip across the world. The best high-performing sailboats can help circumnavigate the world with ease. They have the most reliable and functional facilities onboard, are easy to maneuver, have been fitted with the finest equipment, and have organized, spaced out deck and cabin areas for you to have a pleasant sailing experience.

Given the sheer volume of sailboats in the market, it’s not always easy to make the right decision for your sailing adventures. It’s why I have used my sailing expertise to create this list of the most reliable and high-performing sailboats ideal for sailing across the world!

Table of Contents

‍ 8 Best Sailboats for Circumnavigating the World

Here are eight of the finest sailboats for travelling around the world:

1. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS  is easily one of the finest and luxurious sailboats for circumnavigation. It’s a spacious and visually stunning vessel with large, swooping curves that give it its unique shape. When this sailboat debuted in 2003, its superstructure, with its quality desk hardware, was instantly recognized as one of the finest in the world, and that remains true today as well. Plus, the interior of the boat is designed with elegance in mind.

Moreover, this sailboat has a premium-quality, powerful build, which ensures that the Odyssey 54DS delivers top-quality, smooth performance, allowing you to travel in it around the world with ease. The 54DS has many notable features, including its standard in-mast furling mainsail and deep-draft keel. The vessel also comes with an optional full battened main.

The sailboat has a fancy leather-bound wheel that works smoothly and five to ten luxurious berths. It features a harbor cachet that is more or less the same size as the cachet of a custom yacht. All of its distinctive and contemporary features are designed to offer maximum comfort and a smooth sailing experience to long-distance travelers. It’s why the price of the sailboat is certainly a bit on the higher end. But the sheer quality and prowess of the boat make up for the higher price tag.

Here are some pros of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS:

• Sturdy construction
• Reliable sailing experience
• Luxurious interior for added comfort
• Attractive design that makes it feel like a small superyacht

Here are some cons of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS:

• Price is a bit steep

Neel 51  is a popular choice amongst sailboat lovers due to its wide deckhouse. Its double headsail rig is conveniently accessible from the helm and is controlled by Harken 52 winches. This blue water yacht was introduced after the success of Neel 45 and Neel 65.

This sailboat also houses two center-hull staterooms with functional showers below the deck. The trim of this popular yacht is made of alpi wood, and the flooring has a hard-wearing polyester substance construction. The sailboat enjoys an overall length of 51 feet and a width of 29 feet and 18 inches. The live-aboard space equals 90sqm, and the tender garage technical room covers 18 sqm.

With that said, the headsail hinders visibility from the helm, which is a common pain point with multihulls. With that said, you can enjoy an unobstructed view from the spacious and elegant lounge space adjacent to the helm for resting and relaxing. This boat is fitted with an impressive Volvo diesel inboard engine with an HP sail drive of 75.

This sailboat can also carry up to 600L of water and fuel. It offers exceptional directional prowess and is easy to drive. With this vessel, you can sail from 6-7 knits up to 10-11 knots. It’s the ideal boat for individuals who wish to experience the joys of circumnavigation in a comfortable sailboat.

Here are some pros of the Neel 51:

• Sturdy, durable construction
• Excellent functionality and a smooth ride
• Incredible directional power
• Comfortable, spacious, and luxurious

Here are some cons of the Neel 51:

• Visibility is obstructed from the helm

3. Island Packet 349

The  Island Packet 349  is widely regarded as the best midsize cruiser under 38 feet. Even in poor weather conditions, it offers its passengers a comfortable and safe long-haul sailing and cruising experience. From its harken furlers and winches to its fiberglass work, the build quality is brilliant. The vessel sails wonderfully well as well.

This vessel is designed as a two-cabin boat and features a separate shower compartment in a single head, a distinctive feature in a boat under 38 feet. It comes with a functional set of furniture and appliances, including an under-counter storage space for dry goods, refrigerators, a pull-out spice rack cabinet, various bulkhead mounted handholds and SS overhead spaces.

The saloon of the sailboat also contains an L-shaped built-in sofa/settee and a dining table that can be folded when not in use to make more space for the passengers. The Island Packet 349 has an overall length and water length of a little more than 38 feet and 31 feet, respectively. The draft is 4 feet, and the beamwidth is 12 feet and 6 inches long.

The vessel can carry up to 100 gallons of water and 55 gallons of fuel. It houses a strong engine of Yanmar diesel with 45 HP, which allows it to travel a distance of 500 miles at six knots cruising speed. The IP 349 offers a nominal hull speed of around 7.5 knots, thanks to its 32-foot waterline. This model is safe for sea travel due to its ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39% and full keel, 20,000lbs displacement.

Here are some pros of the Island Packet 349:

• Durable fiberglass and harken construction
• Excellent utilization of space despite the small size
• Strong engine and traveling speed
• Comfortable vessel for sailing across the globe

Here are some cons of the Island Packet 349:

• It’s a bit on the small side compared to other sailboats on the list

4. Amel Super Maramu

Amel Super Maramu  is a loved vessel designed by the Frenchman Henri Amel. He designed it with the vision of creating a high-performance circumnavigating sailboat, and it’s safe to say he succeeded. This sailboat provides exceptional performance in deeper sea waters and is all about functionality.

The sailboat has an undeniably traditional circumnavigating sailboat-like appearance. However, it has many modern features to offer. It’s designed to be operated by a small crew of two people to ensure increased efficiency. The ketch rig has a simple yet exceptionally effective design, and the sails are electrically controlled, making the boat super manageable.

With everything said, the Super Maramu is not designed for external modifications. It’s a 53-feet-long boat with an optimally functional exterior and interior. It has an overall width of a little over 41 feet and a beamwidth of 15 feet. The sailboat has a water capacity of 264 gallons and a fuel capacity of 158 gallons.

Here are some pros of the Amel Super Maramu:

• Super-efficient design with maximum focus on functionality
• It doesn’t require a huge crew; designed for a two-person crew
• Explicitly designed for long-distance sailing
• Safe, reliable, and powerful vessel

Here are some cons of the Amel Super Maramu:

• Not as luxurious as some of the other options on the list
• Best for an experienced crew due to the complexity of some features

5. Bavaria 42

Bavaria 42  is a mass-produced, popular boat designed for cross-ocean traveling. It’s a no-nonsense, comparatively priced, adaptable sailboat that offers great features for its affordable price. The deck features a fairly spacious sail area and a long waterline to ensure good performance. However, the vessel can be super heavy when the cruising essentials are stored onboard.

The cockpit of the boat is placed centrally to free up more space for the passengers. Below the deck, the interior is as functional and practical as needed. Depending on the model you choose, you will benefit from two to three comfortable seeping cabins that are functional. It’s a standard go-to cruiser for circumnavigation.

This sailboat offers an overall length of almost 43 feet and a beamwidth of 13 feet. Depending on the model you choose, you can avail a fuel capacity of 210L to 230L and a water capacity of 360L. You will also have six to eight functional berths. The engine has an HP of 55. All in all, it’s a well-built, practical vessel that will enable you to have a relaxing cruise around the world.

The forward visibility of the sailboat is excellent at the helm, and the wide cockpit offers an unmatched sense of security even when the boat is listing. Moreover, the Bavaria 42 responds exceptionally well to the touch of an experienced sailor.

Here are some pros of the Bavaria 42:

• Responsive, functional sailboat
• Practically built to offer excellent performance
• Excellent front view
• Sense of security due to the spacious cockpit

Here are some cons of the Bavaria 42:

• Quite heavy when the cruising essentials are stored onboard

6. Beneteau 57

Beneteau 57  is easily one of the finest, most high-end sailboats for circumnavigation. It’s designed to be a stylish, high-performing, reliable vessel that you can take on a cruise around the world. It’s a luxury sailboat through and through!

The vessel’s hull has a monohull design and offers quick performance and a sleek appearance. The cockpit is also placed centrally to maximize the space on the deck and keep the vessel’s interior neatly organized under the deck. It is a powerful sloop rig with an impressively constructed cockpit.

The facilities below the deck are modern, comfortable, and wholly impressive. They are also quite spacious since the vessel’s overall length is more than 50 feet. The beamwidth of the vessel is a little over 16 feet, and the overall width is 56 feet. Moreover, its engine has an impressive 160 HP, and the fuel tanks have a capacity of 400L. The sailboat can carry 22,000 kgs of dry weight.

The synthetic glittering Glass blue countertops in the head and the brilliant stainless steel gallery appliances add a luxurious touch to the Beneteau 57. The boat has the most comprehensive list of features out of all the Beneteau boats. Considering the fantastic build-quality and luxurious experience that the Beneteau 57 offers to its passengers, its price is impressively competitive.

Here are some pros of the Beneteau 57:

• High-end, luxurious vessel with a fantastic build quality
• It offers an enjoyable cruising experience
• Well-organized and functional deck and below deck spaces
• Stainless steel appliances
• Competitive price
• Impressive dry weight capacity

Here are some cons of the Beneteau 57:

• Not as efficient as some of the other options on the list

7. Hylas 54

Hylas 54  has a German Frers design that offers the vessel a brilliant balance between efficiency and performance. The vessel’s hull is built exceptionally well, ensuring the boat to be driven seamlessly. It’s so easy to sail the boat that achieving more than 200 miles per day is achievable. On the deck, the compact and efficient design is ideal for an experienced sailor.

One of the finest features of the Hylas 54 is its spaciousness below deck, which is ideal for long-haul sailing across the world. The flexible below deck interior allows you to customize the layout however you want. It also enables you to use the finish quality you want. It also comes with a raised saloon version, which adds to its flexibility.

Like other Hylas sailboats, the passengers are typically satisfied with this 54-feet-long vessel for cross-ocean sailing. It’s because this vessel is super easy to handle and makes a great all-rounder for circumnavigation. It offers you the freedom you need to traverse the world oceans in comfort and style.

Here are some pros of the Hylas 54:

• Excellent customization options
• Efficient, high-performing vessel
• Easy to sail across the ocean, achieving maximum speed

Here are some cons of the Hylas 54:

• A relatively smaller deck compared to other vessels on the list

8. Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1  is one of the most popular Beneteau models. It features a stepped hull design and incorporates some of the most loved features of the previous models. It also offers increased performance, quality, and top-tier design.

Oceanis 46.1 has a deep lead-bulb keel and a tall mast, allowing the vessel to offer 28% more sail area than the previous Beneteau models. It also has a “first Line” edition that offers comfort and speed. This sailboat offers a functional and roomy cockpit and a spacious forward owner’s cabin. It enables you to sail luxuriously and comfortably.

The overall length and width of the vessel are 46 feet and 47 feet and 43 feet. The hull length is an impressive 45 feet. The sailboat features a Yanmar power engine with 57 HP. You can also go for the Yanmar diesel with 80 HP. This sailboat comes with five varied layouts – three cabins with two heads, three cabins with three heads, four cabins with two heads, four cabins with four heads, and five cabins with three heads.

This Beneteau model enables you to sail short-handed and empowers you to control the winches from aft. It also has a beautiful design; the below deck interior is covered with brushed light oak veneer. It also houses wide sunbeds with separate head and shower compartments. The vessel has large hull portholes that allow natural light into its saloon, making your experience more comfortable.

Here are some pros of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1:

• Beautiful and spacious below deck space
• Multiple below deck options
• Excellent performance and efficiency
• Spacious vessel with a powerful engine

Here are some cons of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1:

• Not as roomy as some of the other sailboats on the list

Which Sailboat is the Best for Circumnavigation?

With today’s varied options,  sailing worldwide  is an exciting prospect. After all, there are many luxurious, well-performing sailboats that can help you have a grand time sailing across world oceans. However, only the best sailboats can offer you the most pleasing sailing experience that goes without a hitch.

The finest boats for circumnavigation offer lightweight speed and have a spacious hull and deck area that offers a grand view. They are also equipped with the finest, most functional and luxurious features for your comfort on your sojourn. That said,  the best sailboat for you  will also depend on the route you’re taking and your specific needs.

For instance, if someone is looking for a luxurious, competitively priced vessel for their circumnavigation trip, they will likely choose a Beneteau 57 for its luxurious interior and high-end performance. However, if you’re more inclined toward efficiently performing sailboats designed to offer optimal functionality, you will be drawn toward the Bavaria 42.

But if you need an incredible all-around performer in the world of sailboats ideal for circumnavigation, you will likely choose the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS or the Island Packet 349. These sailboats offer exceptional functionality, luxury, and comfort. They are also reliable in poor weather conditions and offer you a smooth, quick, and efficient sailing experience.

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I'm Michael Moris. I've been sailing my whole life, and it has taken me to places I never imagined. From the Caribbean to Europe, from New Zealand to South America - there's nowhere that hasn't felt like home when you're on a boat!

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Planning a Circumnavigation

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Amy

Plotting world circumnavigation routes is a lot easier than it sounds.  There are cruising boats LITERALLY all over the world.  There are boats in the Northwest passage (up and over Canada), in the Antarctic, and everywhere in between.  There are a few key things to take into consideration, but 95%* of circumnavigation routes follow the same general course.

Table of Contents - Click to Jump

Insurance Restrictions on Circumnavigation Routes

There are two major restrictions put on us by our vessel insurance; stay out of highly pirated areas and stay out of named storm zones.  Insurance restrictions come with the option to ignore them.  You can always go to these restricted places, BUT if something happens, your insurance will not be covered.  Another option is that you can pay significantly more to be covered in these places as well.  We have made the choice for ourselves to follow the restrictions set by our insurance.

By definition, piracy is the act of attacking and robbing ships at sea.  By that main definition, the Caribbean is one of the worst places for piracy.  Petty theft of boats and their tenders is a major issue in some parts of the Caribbean, and steps should be taken to protect yourself and your assets.

However, the piracy of the biggest concern is murder and kidnapping.  There are two main hotspots where our insurance will not cover us;  the Philippines and the Red Sea/Suez Canal (hereby referred to as simply Suez).   Again, people cruise literally everywhere in the world, and there are people who cruise the Philippines (2015 reports state 200 yachts).  The other side of the coin is true too.  Just because you avoid the Suez or the Philippines does not mean you will avoid being kidnapped or murdered.

It’s up to you to decide the level of risk you are willing to take when planning out a circumnavigation route.

Tropical Storms

In North America, it’s a hurricane.  South of the equator, it’s cyclones.  In Asia-Pacific, it’s typhoons.  Either way, your insurance probably has a word or two to say about where you spend tropical storm season.

Our insurance requires us to avoid certain parts of the world during storm seasons.  This is why there is a mass exodus of boats from the Caribbean every year.  Our insurance requires us to be north of roughly the Florida-Georgia line.  Now, that doesn’t mean we are safe from hurricanes, but it does mean if something happens, we will have the  privilege of consoling ourselves of our losses by applying for an insurance claim.

For those moving quickly, your primary concern is systems in the southern hemisphere.  Just make sure you are moving from east to west quickly enough to pass through the storm zone.

World circumnavigation routes, like ours, usually have you dipping out of these storm zones for the season. It’s a great time to haul your boat out for annual maintenance, like we did in New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand.

Tradewinds for Circumnavigating

Around the equator lies the doldrums.  This is typically an area with very little wind.  However, each ocean has a wind pattern.  In the northern hemisphere, winds circulate clockwise.  In the southern hemisphere, winds circulate counterclockwise.  This means that on either side of the equator lies a band of wind flowing from east to west.  This is why 95%* of cruisers plan their circumnavigation routes to sail from east to west.

Factoring the Wind into Outfitting Your Boat

Knowing where you will sail will help you determine what kind of sail performance you are looking for in a boat.  For someone doing a typical circumnavigation route, sailing east to west, you’ll be sailing downwind a lot.  Some monohull owners have complained to us about how uncomfortable their boat is sailing dead downwind.  Catamarans, however, typically perform best downwind.  We have a very smooth ride when we are traveling with the wind and waves.

Outfitting your sail locker also factors in where you are sailing.  For a downwind circumnavigation, spinnakers are highly useful – or so we hear.  We’ve not had terrible success with our spinnaker, but find our screecher to be very useful.  That could possibly be because we deviate enough from the standard downwind route.

For more about sail configurations in a cruising catamaran, read our Sail Trim blog post.

Those Who Sail West to East Circumnavigation Routes

There are a few who do sail the “wrong way”.  It can definitely be done and done fast.  However, you need to have a boat that sails well to wind.  While most catamarans sail well downwind, we do not sail well into the wind.  However, if your catamaran has daggerboards, you’ll sail much better to wind than a catamaran without daggerboards.

Circumnavigation Routes & Bottlenecks

This is why most circumnavigations follow the same basic route.  There are major bottlenecks to passing around the continents, so again, we’ve got the 95%* of boats funneling into one narrow part of the world.

Panama Canal

We paid $1300 to transit the Panama Canal because the only other option is to sail against the wind and waves around either North America or South America.  Taking one of the high latitudes routes is pretty dang extreme, takes a significant amount of time, and a toll on ship and crew.  Ushuaia, a port of call in Argentina, reported 64 boats in 2015, versus 1,079 boats transiting the canal – 95% transiting the canal*.

Torres Strait

The Torres Strait occupies the space between Australia and New Guinea.  It’s fairly small, just 650 nm between Thursday Island and Indonesia’s first port of clearance.

There are some cruisers (like our friends on S/V Field Trip) who are going over the top of New Guinea to get to Southeast Asia.  Getting any further north than that requires dealing with the Philippines – either through or around the top of the Philippines into the South China Sea.

Cape of Good Hope

Traveling around South Africa requires tackling the Cape of Good Hope, which is not to be taken lightly due to the challenges in the winds and currents.  The alternative is the Suez.  There used to be a rally passing through the Suez.  The other alternative is to hire private security, but that’s pretty complex.  Reports show 358 boats sailing through Cape Town verses 19 through the Suez – again, 95% choose Cape Town*.   I know the Mediterranean is a great cruising ground, but we decided if we want to cruise it, we’d rather cross the Atlantic twice than go through the Suez.

How Long Should a Circumnavigation Take?

Barring racing yachts who are smashing world records, it’s not uncommon to complete a circumnavigation in a year and a half.  This is a fairly straightforward and quick route.

The World ARC is a one and a half year rally that circumnavigates the world.  They have a fantastic route and schedule on their website.

Longer circumnavigation routes still use the same general track, but add on detours.   For example, we extended our South Pacific portion into two seasons by sailing south to spend cyclone season in New Zealand.

We’ve met sailors who have taken 15 or more years to circumnavigate. That’s a lot of detours!

Our Circumnavigation Route

Our sailing circumnavigation route took us four years and three months to travel all the way around the world. You can read the summary of our world circumnavigation for more details.

Book: World Cruising Routes

This is LITERALLY the bible of sailing around the world. If you have ever asked yourself (or, god help you, asked on a forum) “I wonder when the best time to sail from X to Y is?” the answer is in this book.

Even though we know our route, I’m still pulling out this book every so often to look up possibilities. It’s a great guide to planning your circumnavigation route overall and planning each individual passage.

Buy Jimmy Cornell’s World Cruising Routes .

Book: Cornell’s Ocean Atlas

This handy reference book is full of windgrams  – “a summary of wind direction and strength derived from the individual windroses along a specific ocean route “. Basically this means you can open a chart for a particular region and month and you will be able to tell where the wind “usually” blows from.

Buy Cornell’s Ocean Atlas .

Book Review: How to Sail Around the World Part-Time

• Who: Linus Wilson and his wife, Janna
• Available: Kindle, Kindle Unlimited or Paperback
• Published: January 2016
• Editing (scale of 1-10, 10 is best): 10

Linus Wilson has been cruising part-time on his 31-foot Island Packet. This is his second book, and in it, he details how one could sail a circumnavigation part-time. I agree – it is possible and might be the solution more potential cruisers should consider.

Wilson pulls a lot of statistics about sailing. Did you know fewer people complete a sailing circumnavigation every year than climb Mount Everest? An hour spent above base camp on Mount Everest is 264 times more dangerous than an hour sailing?

One question unanswered is how long it would actually take to sail the world part-time. Of course, it depends on how much time you dedicate every year, but hypothetically:

• Year 1: the Caribbean to Panama, store in Panama
• Year 2: Panama to French Polynesia, store in FP
• Year 3: French Polynesia to Fiji, store in Fiji
• Year 4: Fiji to Australia, store in Australia
• Year 5: Australia to South Africa, store in SA
• Year 6: SA to the Caribbean

Of course, you’d see a lot less than you would on a 6-year circumnavigation like ours, but you get it done in a fraction of the cost and less risk.

Bottom line: it was a short, interesting, and informative read. If you don’t want to full-time sail, or can’t convince your partner to full-time sail, consider how fulfilling a part-time adventure could be.

*Jimmy Cornell is the foremost expert on tracking cruising boats, and the statistics for this blog post were pulled from his article Where do all the boats go?

23 Comments

Wonderful article. I am from Goa, India. I wish you had come to Goa. I would have happily looked after your boat, and you could have travelled through India and enjoyed its majestic and diverse cultures and sites. I am 67 years old grandfather. I have been coastal and competitive sailing for the past 50 years. I am now planning to go on a circumnavigation on a Leopard 39 sailboat starting from Goa. Hoping to do it in 2 to 3 years. Your article and videos have inspired me. All the best. Thank you for your well written and detailed articles.

Wow, great to hear from you! It is amazing to us when we hear from people like you all over the world! We have some friends who visited Cochin last year on their boat, I think that’s a popular stop for cruisers. I know that formalities in India are complicated.

I have never been, but I love the food and the culture that I’ve experienced so far! I hope we get to visit someday.

Do sail down to Goa anytime you want. I will sort out all you entry formalities. Wish you all the best. Keep inspiring us with your wonderful sailing and videos.

Hi, how many miles is it when circumnavigating around the earth please? Captain cook did it in 60k, but is this because you cant just sail direct around the earth due to islands and storms etc?

Hi! Our circumnavigation was about 34,000 nm. You can read more about it here: https://outchasingstars.com/world-sailing-circumnavigation-summary/

Amy, when you and David are on a long passage, what kind of watch schedule do you keep? Assuming you’re both healthy (unlike your passage to St. Helena), what do you find to be a comfortable limit for the number of days at sea before exhaustion begins to set in?…or does it ever set in for you guys?

We do a soft 7-hour watch. The only actual watch is I do 7 pm to 2 am. Then David goes on watch while I sleep. When I wake up we switch, and he naps. Then when he’s up, I nap. By then it’s time to do the whole thing all over again! The worst night is the second. You’ve been tired, but not tired enough to sleep off your normal routine yet. But after the second night it gets a lot better. Exhaustion does not set in long-term – boredom does!

I really enjoyed reading your article, it’s very informative although that I don’t have a boat, it’s too expensive where I’m from, and it would take a fortune to be registered if it’s allowed in the first place, as authorities put a lot of restrictions for civil citizen to do so after military took over in 60s, for example we can’t camp as a first without a security permit bla bla bla that it raerly issued or thread fishing without a license and permit bla bla bla….etc, there isn’t a proper Marina for docking not even mention the amount of visas that it required. I love to sail one-day but till that time I’m really enjoy reading and watching. I’m from Egypt, and it makes me sad that sailors stop passing by, as we have a great shores, great diving spots, the Suez canal, and the right wind, but to be considered as unstable area for the Somalian pirates acts, and all the Egyptian governmental claims about fighting terrorist and repel ghost they imagine, this is horrible. It’s really tearing me that after around 8000 years on Earth people couldn’t yet handle their conflicts. I’m sorry to make it very long. Glad that some people had the privilege to try and be able to chasing stars and wind. Godspeed

Sarah, thank you for your comment! It’s amazing to us that we have someone reading from Egypt!

I recently read a memoir about a yacht who sailed through the Suez, and it sounded like they had a lot of difficulties, not just with pirates and corruption, but it’s hard sailing too! Egypt is very high up on my list of places I would truly love to visit because of its amazing history and culture.

We hope that somehow you get to enjoy sailing, even if it’s just continuing to follow us along.

You are amazing, all the best in your upcoming, and hopefully everyone can enjoy sailing in Egypt one day, and be able to see you here in the future.

Hi Amy, first, what a nice simple but very informative blog. I have run a ‘sailing for disabled people’ organisation for the last 25 years and as part of our 25th anniversary are planning to build a 20m cat for a round the world adventure. Planned for start in 2025 I need to get people to understand the real dangers and risks of such travel as well as the good things, would you mind if I used your blog in this matter, I would of course say that is yours. Details of us are under the ‘new projects button’ at http://www.disabledsailing.org

Hi Mike! You are welcome to link to our blog post. If you need anything beyond that, send us an email and we can talk more!

Excellent and informative article. I’d just like to point out the following statement where it states: “Ushuaia, a port of call in Chile, reported 64 boats in 2015….”

Please note that Ushuaia is not located in Chile, but rather within the Tierra del Fuego province of Argentina.

Thank you so much for the correction! I will fix it right away. Geography lesson of the day. 😉

Now you can completely delete my comment 🙂 It’s all sorted. Happy and safe sailing to you and your family. Antonella

Nice write up. Very helpful. Keep up the good work. However sailing through the suez is not really that dangerous. My friends Ingo and Maya sailed through from turkey to India and onward to thailand and had no probs with pirates.

I do hear that the piracy situation is improving. I do think there are a lot of good reasons to go around South Africa though, and I am glad we did.

Great informative article, thanks for sharing.

Where do you store your bladder when it is full? Also, thanks for all the info and videos. It has helped us a great deal in preparation for purchasing our boat,

Thank you! I’m glad you’ve found it helpful. We store the duel bladder in the cockpit.

On the longer passages, how much extra fuel do you carry in your blatter tank. What motering range do you think is sufficient for your longer passages?. I’m thinking the Helia goes about 750 miles on 125 gallons of diesel. Thanks Jon

Our fuel tank holds 125 gallons, plus four 5-gallon jerry cans, plus the 50-gallon fuel bladder, to total 195 gallons. If we motor at 1800 rpms with one engine it’s roughly .8 gph. Theoretically, our tanks should take us about 900 nm. Of course, we go months and thousands of miles without using all of our diesel.

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• Digital edition

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• David Harding
• February 3, 2022

A solidly built cruiser with a sporty edge and twin-keel option, Hunter’s Channel 31 has been impressing since her launch 22 years ago. David Harding sails one to find out why

One of the few Channel 31s moulded with blue gelcoat, Freya has been given additional vinyl styling at the bow. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

Hunter channel 31, manufacturer:.

Brand loyalty is often strong among boat owners. If you find a boat you like, there’s a good chance that, when you come to move up or down, you will buy another one from the same builder. In Kevin and Maggie Cullimore’s case, it was moving up to the Hunter Channel 31.

Their first family cruising boat was a Hunter Ranger 245, which they bought in kit form at the London Boat Show in 1998.

Kevin fitted it out in the space of a few months and they sailed it for five years before two growing children dictated that a bigger boat was in order.

They were fortunate enough to find a Hunter Ranger 27 that had hardly been used.

Like Kevin, the owner had built it from a kit. Then he found out that his family actively disliked sailing, so it had to go. Kevin re-built much of the interior and it became his family’s boat for several years.

They cruised extensively, crossing to the Channel Islands on occasions, and were more than happy with their second Hunter.

A self-tacking jib came as standard on the Hunter Channel 31. Credit: David Harding

No matter how settled you think you might be, however, life has a way of making you reconsider – and that’s exactly what happened to Kevin and Maggie.

On a visit to the East Coast one day, they stumbled across a Hunter Channel 31 bearing a ‘for sale’ sign.

‘We hadn’t been planning to buy a bigger boat’, says Kevin. ‘I had always wanted a 31 but didn’t think I could afford one. Still, seeing this one, we decided to have a look anyway.’

As chance would have it, they learned from the broker that the owner of the 31 was looking to move to a smaller Hunter.

So Kevin sent all the photos of his 27 – the fact that he had fitted a TV in the saloon proved to be a major selling point – and the 31’s owner visited Poole to have a look.

A deal was done, the new owner of the 27 sailed it back to the East Coast and Kevin sailed his new 31 from Woodbridge home to Poole.

Kevin Cullimore has equipped Freya for self-sufficient, short-handed cruising. Credit: David Harding

That was in 2013, since when he – usually with Maggie, sometimes solo or with friends – has continued to cruise Freya widely.

France and the Isles of Scilly have been destinations on longer trips, in between which Freya has often been seen in the Solent and the West Country.

It’s all a far cry from Kevin’s early trial-and-error adventures with his Eclipse that he trailed to the Mediterranean and sailed to the Balearics.

Getting Freya to the condition she’s in now has been an ongoing process.

Plusher than on earlier Hunters, the interior provides plenty of stowage, handholds and bracing points. Credit: David Harding

When, like Kevin, you’re of a practical disposition, you know what you want to do to your boat and you get on and do it.

This has involved everything from modifications to deck hardware to building new joinery down below and fitting a stern gantry to support solar panels , aerials and a radar.

The process of fitting out and making changes to his smaller boats is largely what encouraged Kevin to stick with Hunters when the time came to move up.

A stern gantry provides a mounting point for solar panels, aerials and the radar. Credit: David Harding

As he told me: ‘Having had two previous Hunters I was pretty impressed with the way they were built. I’ve drilled through quite a lot of them and found them well made. And no other twin-keeler really compares with them.’

His 245 and 27 were both twin-keelers, as is the Hunter Channel 31.

In places like the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly it can open up a lot of options to be able to dry out, and Kevin doesn’t consider it a significant sacrifice in performance terms to sail a twin-keeler.

The difference between the sailing ability of fins and twins is undoubtedly less with the Hunters than with many earlier generations of cruising yachts.

Boarding gates weren’t fitted originally but have made a big difference. Credit: David Harding

David Thomas’s designs earned the designer and builder a reputation for creating boats with twin keels (or twin fins, as they liked to call them) that sailed remarkably well.

The  Hunter Channel 31 and the earlier 32 (which became the 323) were among the larger boats you could buy in twin-keel form, along with some of the Westerlys, Moodys and Sadlers.

The Hunter, however, was distinctly more sporty in nature than most of the alternatives. She was also sportier than most of the earlier Hunters, excepting those conceived as One Designs such as the Impala, Formula One, 707 and Van de Stadt’s HB 31.

David Thomas was conscious that he had probably pushed the performance aspects of the design as far as Hunter would accept, and was half expecting to be asked to reduce the size of the mainsail for the twin-keeler at least.

His design was substantially heavier than many of the Hunter’s Continental competitors: he wanted her to have a good ballast ratio for stiffness, and that in turn called for generous displacement to support the extra weight in the keel(s).

As he told me at the time: ‘You can have the displacement as long as there’s enough sail area to go with it. A cruising boat with a miserable rig is a miserable compromise. So why not have a big rig? It’s what a cruising boat needs. That way you can have good light-weather performance in a heavyish boat.’

In essence it’s the same philosophy that Stephen Jones applied to the Sadler 290 – another powerful twin-keeler that’s heavier than a typical modern cruiser of similar length, yet a good deal faster too.

Originally the mainsheet was taken to a strong-point on the cockpit sole, but Kevin has moved it forward to the coachroof. Credit: David Harding

By the standards of the day (after a year’s delay, she was launched in 2000), the Hunter Channel 31 has a broad stern, which in turn called for a fuller entry than on many of Thomas’s earlier designs.

It all added up to a boat with a potent performance potential, as I learned on speaking to Thomas about the design and sailing with him on a breezy day in the spring of 2000.

‘It’s right down the middle between a club racer/One Design and a cruiser you can sail anywhere,’ he said. ‘It’s an offshore cruising yacht that will look after the crew.’

Choosing the right compromise

With the standard self-tacking jib, the option of twin keels and a few other concessions towards cruising, the 31 proved popular as a fast cruiser.

Nonetheless, with its slippery shape and relatively narrow waterline, the hull offered potential that Hunter had planned to make the most of with the introduction of a souped-up derivative to be known as the 303.

It was due to have a taller, double-spreader rig with inboard rigging to allow an overlapping genoa, balanced by a deeper fin keel in lead. In the event, the 303 was never developed and few 31s have been raced seriously enough to show what they’re capable of.

The boat I tested back in 2000 was a fin-keeler although, rather incongruously, it was fitted with a fixed two-bladed propeller that caused turbulence over the rudder and would have knocked a good deal off our speed.

The cockpit is narrow enough for leg-bracing between the seats, leaving comfortable coamings and a wide side deck. Credit: David Harding

On the whole I was impressed by the performance in a gusty 15-25 knots of breeze: under full main (with just the flattening reef pulled in) and self-tacker we clocked 5.5 knots upwind with the boat proving to be nicely balanced.

She stiffened up markedly at around 15° of heel, spun on a sixpence when asked to and exhibited few vices. Downwind we clocked 8.5 knots in a squall, provided I could keep her going in a straight line.

Most Hunter Channel 31s have the self-tacking jib that came as standard, but a minimal-overlap headsail can be used. Credit: David Harding

I couldn’t do that all the time because the rudder would lose grip unless we were almost dead downwind.

As soon as the wind came on to the quarter, she rounded up: the large mainsail combined with the generous sweep-back on the spreaders generated more power from the leech than the rudder was able to cope with: it was a choice of run or round up.

Hunter used the rudder from the HB 31 on both the 32/323 and the 31. I had already sailed the 323 in breezy conditions and found no issues.

Perhaps because of the broader stern and the more powerful mainsail, the rudder – to my mind at least – didn’t work as well on the Hunter Channel 31.

Unlike the demonstrator I sailed, with its fin keel and fixed prop, Kevin’s boat has twin keels and a Brunton Autoprop.

He had an Autoprop on the 27 and, amongst other things, likes the extra knot or knot-and-a-half it provides even on tick-over when he’s motor-sailing. It was one of the first additions he made to the 31.

We also had much less wind than on my earlier sail: a gentle 8-10 knots most of the time.

Since we had to cope with a few late-season whiskers below the waterline, we were never going to break any speed records but the whiskers were at least partially offset by Kevin’s new sails.

For downwind sailing he uses a cruising chute, and two years ago added the cruising equivalent of a Code 0.

He finds this particularly useful, as do many owners of boats with self-tacking jibs. On one memorable occasion, he flew it all the way from Guernsey to Dartmouth.

The Hunter Channel 31 is among the relatively small number of performance cruisers in this size range available with twin keels. Credit: David Harding

‘We had one of the most beautiful sails with the Code 0. We put it up and didn’t touch it all day, making 5.5 to 6 knots on a flat sea, in glorious sunshine and surrounded by dolphins.’

On the day of our sail, it nudged us along at up to 6.8 knots with the wind on the beam.

Even in these lighter conditions I was reminded why I had reservations about the rudder, the blade needing a little more balance to my mind and stalling occasionally if asked to do too much out of the ordinary.

That said, a rudder’s feel is a very subjective issue, and one on which I had lengthy conversations with David Thomas.

Verdict on the Hunter Channel 31

It’s easy to see why the Hunter Channel 31 hits the spot for many cruising sailors who enjoy sailing a boat that looks after them and really does sail.

She combines performance and robustness with a much more stylish arrangement below decks than found on earlier Hunters.

That’s because Ken Freivokh was commissioned to design the interiors on the later models.

He transformed them from basic and functional to still-functional yet infinitely more appealing.

Freya demonstrating the benefits of twin keels, dried out on Bryher in the Isles of Scilly. Credit: Kevin Cullimore

Structurally, Hunter kept things simple with solid laminates and a single interior moulding forming the companionway, the engine tray and bearers, the heads and the base of the galley – ‘all the messy bits’, as Hunter put it.

Everything else was in timber and bonded to the outer hull.

On Kevin’s boat, the joinery is in cherry but there’s much more of it than on a standard boat.

A wet locker lives abaft the heads, the inside of the door providing handy tool stowage. Credit: David Harding

Kevin has added lockers each side in the saloon above the back-rests where originally there were simply fiddled shelves.

He has blended them in so well that you would have no idea they weren’t original, and has done the same in the aft cabin.

He has even fitted several small drawers and made sure that not a cubic inch is wasted.

The time involved for a yard to do something like this would make it prohibitively expensive, but Kevin’s work shows what you can achieve if you have the skill and are prepared to devote the time to it.

‘I like messing around with woodwork’, he says.

Since he’s also more than adept with electrics, he has fitted three solar panels on the stern gantry – a total of 200 watts that will generate 67 amps on a sunny day.

Having owned Freya since 2013, Kevin has spent nearly 10 years refining her to create the cruising boat he has always wanted.

‘I don’t think we will ever change boats now,’ he says. ‘I’ve got this up to where it’s got to be, and if I bought another one I would have to start all over again. I’ve been through all that before.’

When you have a capable and well-sorted boat like this that will take you anywhere quickly and comfortably, dry out upright when you get there and look after you whatever the weather, why would you want to change?

Expert Opinion on the Hunter Channel 31

Nick Vass B,Sc B,Ed HND FRINA MCMS DipMarSur YS, marine surveyor www.omega-yachtservices.co.uk

The first thing that I notice when surveying British Hunter yachts is the spacious and airy interiors and the Channel 31 is the best of the lot, having been designed by Ken Freivokh, who was responsible for the stylish later Westerly Regatta interiors.

The 31 has a particularly large aft cabin. These are underrated yachts that suffered a kit boat stigma let down by some poor home finishing.

With the tiller mounted well aft and the mainsheet moved to the coachroof, there’s plenty of clear space in the cockpit. Credit: David Harding

If you do buy a home-completed version, interior trim can easily be put straight, and the factory finished boats were well made and so easily comparable to the Sadler 290, Westerly Regatta 310 and Moody 31MkII.

A joy to survey, and to maintain, as access to critical items such as seacocks, stern gland, tanks and keel bolts is so easy.

Keel bolts are substantial and don’t tend to give trouble and Hunters don’t tend to get osmosis.

Hunter rudders were of a strange resin construction over a steel frame without a GRP shell. I have found several where the steelwork rusts but this has not led to failure and at least they don’t blister or come apart.

The Hunter Channel 31 was introduced in 1999 as a replacement for the 32 which had replaced the Horizon 32.

However, the 31 was designed as a lighter faster cruiser/racer and came as a One Design racing version called the 303 which had a deep lead fin keel.

The Hunter Channel 31 was offered with fin or twin keels. Yanmar 2GM20 engines are reliable and there are plenty around.

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, marine surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA) www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

Like all of David Thomas’s Hunter boats, the design of the Hunter Channel 31 concentrated on structure and build; the use of woven rovings over normal chop strand hold testament to the longevity and strength of these craft, which do hold their value well.

At the time of build, Hunters were certainly not the cheapest boats available for their size.

A common issue I’ve had when surveying these vessels is the moulding arrangement for the tiller area. It can suffer from wear and some light stress.

Some of the moulding returns have air voids in them from build, as woven rovings are not as easy to tuck into tight corners.

Outboard rigging leaves the side decks clear. A moulded upstand along the gunwale takes the place of an aluminium toerail. Credit: David Harding

I have seen issues where owners have added extra batteries but have not thought through the right location for them.

Engine maintenance is also sometimes lacking due to the tight access. Many have the deep sea shaft seal so be aware of their age.

They usually need replacing after seven years so make sure you check them and the service record.

The decks are normally a foam core so don’t tend to suffer in the same way as yachts with a balsa core, but still be aware of deck fittings and stanchion points; check for overloading which can be common.

The Hunter Channel 31 has ring beams and yard staff can struggle to identify the correct points to locate cradle supports.

I have seen a few boats with small areas of delamination where the boat was incorrectly supported ashore.

Alternatives to the Hunter Channel 31 to consider

This exceptionally roomy and powerful twin-keeler is shorter than the Hunter but extraordinarily spacious and a remarkable performer too.

Her twin keels are cast in lead and bolted through moulded spacers to ensure a particularly low centre of gravity.

This enables her to carry a generous rig for good performance in light airs despite her relatively heavy displacement, while the slim profile of the keels contributes to a degree of hydrodynamic efficiency rarely seen in the twin-keeled world.

The Sadler 290 performs well in both light and heavy airs. Credit: David Harding

It’s also rare for boats under 9m (30ft) to achieve RCD Category A status, the Sadler’s AVS (angle of vanishing stability) of 140° being a major factor.

She was designed by Stephen Jones and launched three years after the Hunter by a Sadler company unrelated to earlier incarnations of Sadlers.

Jones gave her an exceptionally fine entry, with reserves of buoyancy forward being ensured by the high freeboard.

Her stern is even broader than the Hunter’s and her twin keels mounted further down the hull. This almost eliminates the banging and thudding that can afflict twin-keelers upwind in heavy weather, while minimising the additional drag caused by a root breaking the surface.

The large rig is of high-fractional configuration with an overlapping genoa to maintain drive in light airs.

A broad stern for powerful downwind performance. Credit: David Harding

On deck, the fine bow limits foredeck space but the wide sidedecks run all the way to the transom. The long cranked tiller is the dominant feature in the cockpit.

The layout below decks is unusual for a modern design in placing the heads between the saloon and forecabin, harking back to the arrangement widely seen in the 1970s and early 1980s.

That allows the galley to be moved well aft, alongside the companionway steps, where it’s right out of the way and not in any thoroughfares.

It’s probably one of the most practical and secure galleys on any boat under 40ft.

The detailing varies according to where the boats were fitted out: various yards were involved at different times.

Westerly Tempest

Westerly’s smaller sister to the Storm 33 was launched in 1987, overlapping with the popular and long-running Fulmar. All were designed by Ed Dubois.

Both the Storm and Fulmar had been conceived as cruiser-racers but, since few Storms were ever raced, Westerly realised that a change of emphasis was needed for the Tempest and aimed her firmly at the cruising market.

A fin keel was standard, though some owners reckoned it needed to be heavier and that the twin-keelers were stiffer.

The Westerly Tempest is slightly quirky but a good performer. Credit: David Harding

Either way, the Tempest is no slouch. She has a gentle, easy motion combined with a respectable turn of speed for a relatively heavy boat.

Handling qualities are widely praised and the long cockpit, combined with a companionway that extends well forward, means you can almost reach the mast without having to go on deck.

The accommodation is unconventional and not for everyone. Westerly used the broad stern to fit-in twin double aft cabins, moving the heads to the bow abaft a large sail locker that opens into the heads via a door and to the deck via a hatch.

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With this locker in the bow and the aft cabins being well forward of the transom, the total cabin space is relatively short and the saloon too small for some tastes.

Cockpit stowage is also restricted by the stern cabins. A few boats were later built with a conventional forecabin.

From 1993, the Tempest evolved into the Regatta 310 with a re-styled interior designed by Ken Freivokh, but very few were sold.

Newer, lighter, sportier and more expensive than the British twin-keelers, the French-built RM is a boat that does things differently.

Plywood is used for the hull because of its strength, light weight and durability among other qualities.

The deck and coachroof are moulded, largely because plywood would give a very angular finish.

The RM 890 is light and fast with a plywood hull. Credit: David Harding

Everything about the RM 890 is geared around ruggedness, sailing ability and functionality.

She comes with a choice of bulbed, high aspect-ratio twin keels paired with a single rudder, or a deep T-bulb fin with twin rudders.

The keels are bolted through a steel frame inside the hull. Rigging arrangements can be varied, but the 890 typically carries a staysail set on a forestay secured to the anchor well bulkhead.

A genoa on a stemhead-mounted outer forestay can simply be rolled away rather than reefed when the wind picks up.

Like Westerly’s Tempest, the RM has a mainsheet traveller across the stern.

The tiller places the helmsman forward and close to the headsail winches for easy singlehanded sailing . Below decks the finish is painted plywood.

Privacy isn’t a priority – a few curtains are the order of the day – but the RM’s famous utility room to starboard, where many boats would fit another aft cabin, tells you exactly where the priorities lie.

A large forward-facing window gives an excellent view out. Just mind your footing on deck.

Sailing performance is hard to fault and the handling crisp and responsive.

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Owners' advice: An insider's guide to world circumnavigation

It's all relative.

Image courtesy of Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

Yacht owners and racers who have done it already offer their advice to help you get the most out of your epic world circumnavigation...

It's all relative: Dee Caffari, record-breaking circumnavigator

“You go through a storm and it’s bad, but the next storm is a comparison to the last one – is it as bad or is it a little easier? And you grow in confidence as you go,” says Dee Caffari, who just finished her sixth circumnavigation, this time as skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race team Turn the Tide on Plastic.

Oddly enough, Caffari says she never set out to sail around the world. “It was an opportunity that presented itself,” says the ex-PE teacher of skippering a yacht crewed by amateurs in the Global Challenge race in 2004, “and from there it kind of evolved. Each time I push my boundaries that little bit further.” You could say the next time she pushed a lot further. Her second circumnavigation made history as she became the first woman to sail single-handed non-stop “the wrong way around”, against the prevailing winds and currents.

So why does she do it? “I love the environment you get to play in. No two days are ever the same; you’re constantly being challenged. The ocean is a pretty magical place and I think we’re lucky to have that as our office.”

“It’s not always going to be smooth sailing, but you will regret not going,” say the owners of Enso . They were inspired by “Sailing La Vagabonde” – YouTube videos of a couple with no previous sailing experience going around the world. “They got out and did it instead of 99 per cent of the world who just think about it,” says the husband.

Enso’s owners jumped into a circumnavigation with both feet, setting off immediately after taking delivery of their new 25 metre Oyster 825. You could say their shakedown cruise was the Oyster World Rally. For the wife, it was a jump into the deep end as her previous sailing experience amounted to a week in Sardinia .

The rewards have been innumerable for Enso’s owners: from freediving with manta rays in Bora Bora to the 300kg marlin they caught and released in the Tuamotus, they have enjoyed vibrant ecosystems off the beaten yachting path. Sharing these experiences with family and friends has made it even more special.

They do admit that leaving so quickly after delivery had a downside. It took time to build the tight-knit crew they’ve had for the past 11 months. And they underestimated the impact that maintenance and warranty work would have on their time. “A new boat is always going to have a lot of warranty work in the first 12 months until it gets into its own rhythm and the crew understand the boat. A year-old boat is actually a much better proposition,” they advise.

Get involved

The owners of 25 metre Southern Wind SW82 Feelin’ Good have been sailing around the world for nearly four years. “Not everyone is able to take the time to be this involved, which makes us appreciate this experience all the more,” they say.

“The long days spent sailing the open sea are the best in my opinion because it is the essence of the journey,” says the husband, who most enjoyed the stretch from Galápagos to Marquesas known as the Coconut Milk Run for its excellent sea conditions. “We sailed the entire passage on one tack! The night sky at sea is like no other, and at the midway point, the closest humans are passing overhead inside the International Space Station.”

The husband and wife both participate alongside their crew on board. “I take my watches along with everyone else, but my wife’s talent is in the galley; she can be down there cooking under any conditions,” says the husband.

Their advice for other owners is to be as involved as possible. “Be on board as much as you can and share the experience with your crew, because it will change your life.”

It's a big world

On Lenny Recanati’s office desk sits an antique globe and a model of his 27 metre Jongert Vivid , which says it all. “I have loved travelling all my life,” he says. “To do it by boat is the best way. On a boat you can go to the end of the world!” Indeed, if the world were flat, he would have fallen off. He spent 12 years travelling on Vivid and has two circumnavigations under his belt, one around the equator and one from pole to pole.

“I like the more remote places where not too many people have been.” The Antarctica expedition stands out, he says, “because of the ferocious sea. In the Drake Passage, the winds were 50mph and the seas were like mountains. The first half hour was a little scary but then the boat gets in a rhythm, you get used to it and relax.”

Enjoy the ride

Many people plan and plan and plan for a circumnavigation and still never actually do it. Eddie Jordan is the opposite. He says he has no real idea what made him want to sail around the world, but now that it’s over, he wants to do it again. Or at least some parts of it.

His was a rush to the starting line of the first Oyster World Rally in 2013 with his then new 27 metre 885 Lush (above). Not studying the cruising guides in advance had some benefits. “I like the surprise element,” he says. “For example, I had never heard of the San Blas islands – probably the last set of islands in the world where they don’t have a currency and operate on a barter system. Our watermakers were running full time to give them as much water as they needed and we got beads and vegetables. We fished off the back of the boat all the time. We had the most magnificent fresh tuna carpaccio with a big glass of rosé wine; that for me was just heaven.”

Some destinations that he had built up in his mind before the trip, such as Bora Bora, turned out to be a disappointment. But there are other places he’d like to return to, such as Rangiroa, the Tuamotus’ largest atoll, where he swam with 50 to 60 blacktip sharks that came close enough to nip at his nose. And he never got a chance to visit Vanuatu. He plans to remedy that, perhaps on his just-purchased 45 metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Blush .

“If you want to have a mixture between enjoying the sailing, cruising, a bit of a party, friends on board, I don’t think there’s any better

way to do that than a sailing boat,” says the man who owned Sunseeker motor yachts for three decades. “And I like to be closer to the sea,” he adds. “With this new Perini I’m able to go out the lazarette and just dive into the water.”

You must adore the sea

“Sailing long distances is not for everybody,” says the owner of the 56 metre Alloy Mondango 3 . “If one tends to motion sickness, definitely not. And even if not, one has to be happy with the quiet and tranquillity of being on the sea for days without the sight of land.”

He wasn’t so sure about himself at first. “Although I had always been a water person, I had never been to sea, as in a long crossing in my own vessel. My wife had only crossed the Atlantic on a large passenger liner. So we did an experimental crossing on Sea Cloud from the Canary Islands to Antigua. It was an easy crossing. However, there was very little wind. The one time the sails went up was very exciting and we were hooked. Since then, he and his wife have logged more than 200,000 nautical miles between their two Mondangos and they always do the crossings.

To other owners considering the same, he says you must adore the open sea and the peace and quiet that comes with it. He also warns that mistakes come with the territory. “Although I have been involved in water sports and sailing dinghies most of my life, this dream was fraught with mistakes,” he says. “You have to go through this no matter from whom you buy your boat. Constant vigilance. Constant spending. Constant adoring.”

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Szymon Kuczynski World Record for the Smallest Yacht around the Globe Solo and Non-Stop

Szymon Kuczynski secured a new world record for the smallest yacht to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded and unaided, when he returned to Mayflower Marina in Plymouth on Thursday 17th May.

Szymon, who set sail last year from Plymouth on August 19, completed the circumnavigation in 270 days, 10 hours and 29 minute. The World Sailing Speed Record Council recognizes a similar feat by Alessandro di Benedetto (FRA/ITA) in 2009-10 who sailed a 6.5m (21ft 3.9in) Mini yacht around the world in 268 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds.

The solo sailor took a classic route round the three famous capes of Africa, Australia and South America . Szymon had been living in a space of just four square metres for over 9 months and accomplished this trip without ever making any stops to ports.

In 2013, he sailed back and forward across the Atlantic Ocean on his self-built, 5m long yacht, “Lilla My” as part of a ‘Call to the Ocean’ race.

And in 2014, Szymon finished his round the world trip- “Maxus Solo Around”- taking the Pasat Route, making stops at ports along the way.

About the boat

The sailboat was manufactured in the Northman shipyard in Poland. The Maxus 22, which is normally used for in-land sailing and close-shore waters, has been adjusted for such and ocean challenge, by changing most of it’s construction.

The hull and rigging have been strengthened and the interior of the yacht has been limited to the essential appliances. The cabin can be hermetically closed, and the hull can still remain floating on the water, even in case of an accident and a complete water flooding inside.

Szymon Kuczynski Journey Statistics 

Time:  270 days, 10 hours, 29 minutes. Miles travelled: 29 044. Average speed:  4,5 kt. Maximum speed: 14,9 kt. Books read: 143.

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How could you leave out the most important part of the news. Here it is: 6,36 m.

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Cal 35 vs Hunter 37

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I am looking for a mid 30's cruiser, capable of going bluewater someday for under 40k. I know that Cal's have a great reputation for being well built boats, my best friend and his wife liveaboard a Cal 34 MKII and it has been a great boat for the money. I really like the layout of the early 80's Cal 35 MKII. However, I also have been looking at the Hunter 37 cutter. From spending countless hours reading posts to this sight I have seen a good deal of negative comments about Hunters. That being said I have also seen quite a few posts stating that an exception to the aformentioned Hunter opinions is the Cherubini designed Hunter 37 cutter. This boat will be a liveaboard in Seattle for me and my wife for a couple of years and then hopefully within the next decade we plan to do some bluewater cruising to the s. pacific and maybe a circumnavigation. I don't want to have to buy a different boat down the road to go bluewater so I am looking for a solid comfortable boat that could be outfitted to go crusing. I would really appreciate any constructive thoughts on these two boats, or if there is another boat that you think fits my needs, I would love to hear about that as well. Thanks for the input! Trevor  

Neither of those boats is really a "bluewater boat" IMHO. Coastal crusing and bluewater voyaging are totally different things. Where are you planning on sailing to, from, cruising at?  

We will be sailing in the San Juan Islands for the time being but eventually we would like to sail to the s. pacific, not ruling out a circumnavigation at some point in the distant future.  

I'd be a bit hesitant to circumnavigate or do a South Pacific cruise in either of them. The Waquiez Gladiator, the Hallberg Rassy Mistral, the Hallberg Rassy 35, the Allied Seawind Princess 36, the Cape Dory 36, the Alberg 37, are all probably better choices. However, most bluewater capable boats are not going to be as comfortable as liveaboard boats, as the boats tend to be a bit narrower in beam, with less living space than a coastal cruiser of the same length. However, in a heavy sea, during a bluewater passage, the narrower confines will be far more welcome... as will the better placed and more common handholds. Here is a boats.com search I did that may interest you. I've run the search with a price ceiling of $50000, since it is very unlikely that you will pay the asking price, if you shop wisely. While, I would generally recommend leaving about 10-20% of the budget aside for refits, repairs, upgrades and modifications... as that is generally necessary, on almost any boat you will buy. However, since you are going to liveaboard for a few years, you can probably space those things out a bit.  

SD gives good advice. I would add that living in Seattle gives you reasonable access to go see boats from Northern California straight up into the Queen Charlottes...and there are a LOT of decent bluewater boats in that area. I saw listings for several in Blaine when I was shopping for a steel 40 footer. Don't discount a metal boat, either, particularly for offshore. I find that most reasonably priced production boats, with a few exceptions like Caliber 40s, IPs, most Bob Perry designs and Pacific Seacrafts, aren't going to have the movement at sea to keep people happy and comfortable, particularly in a wild area like the North Pacific. Go to Ted Brewer's site. He lives in the area and has designed a lot of boats for it. His essays on ocean-going yacht design are very easy to follow, just like his articles in Good Old Boat. I've e-mailed him twice and he's very approachable with questions. Good luck.  

I do like Pacific Seacraft's boats, but they tend to be fairly pricey...and not all that common on the market.. and generally sell pretty quickly when they do hit the sale listings.  

Yes, Liz Clark, she's very cute... she does a fair bit of singlehanding on Swell, which is her boat's name.  

Cal VS Hunter??? The brands are not in the same city let alone same ball park. The Cal designed by the late Bill Lapworth was a premier boat in its day. Very well built, very fine sailing and good comfort. They point real well and will make good time between point A & point B. Hunter is a high volume production boat. I have sailed on several hundreds of miles off shore. The boat did not sink and did real well going through an ocan inlet n a pretty major storm. A lot of the talk regarding "Blue Water" should be focused more on the qualifications and experience of the skipper and crew than the boat. Don't get me wrong, certain brands would fare out much better than others in the long run when the hull is subjected to an off- shore environment for the life span of the hull. Calowners still are very active and passonite about their boats. Browse the various Cal webs, talk to owners. Remember, these boats are no longer made. By the way owners talk about them, you would think that they are. When Cal (Jensen Marine) sold the brand to Banger Punta (Piper Aircraft), the construction moved to Fall River Mass in The O'Day facility as Banger Punta also owned O'Day. The boats were then designed by Raymond Hunt. The interiors were made lighter and more volumous. Realpretty and still real well built. The Hunt boats were still popular but didn't have that excitment that the Lapworth boats had. This might also have something to do with the famous Cal 40 which will still hold her own even in a more contemporary racing environment. You will enjoy the Hunter I assure you. It won't sink and is a good sailing vessel. To own a Cal is to own the experience of ownership, not just the boat.  

Buy the Cal - it will hold its value better.  

the cal 40 was liz sail on, Dave and Jaja spent seven years sailing around the world (1988-1995) aboard their 25-foot Cal 25 DIRECTION. here like the other poster side it's the person the sailing not the boats, how much you are welling to face the hardship,  

Of course, by the time he got done rebuilding the Cal 25 it was *far* different from a stock Cal 25.  

If you like the Cal 35, take a look at the Cal 33-2. A more modern design with similar room inside. The 35-2 and 33-2 rate similarly (approx 135-138 PHRF) so sailing speed is very close. Disclaimer: I own one.  

I am looking at a cal 35-2 With whom can I discuss the sailing characteristics. Or where is the best web site for this particular cal?  

Guide to Sailing and Cruising Stories - Ships at Sea  

crossing south pacific on cal 29 "renewal time" D'Arcy's Sailing,Cal Sailboat, Retirement Planner,Sechelt and Cruising Page To slap do you know how much work has done on the cal 25, I only seen couple picture of the retro fit but it did not going in to detail how much was done.  

I suggest that SailNet is a great place to get free advice on any boat. However, you should really start a new thread rather than hijaking an old one.  

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10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing (One Person)

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 27, 2023

The idea of single-handed sailing or solo sailing appeals to racers and cruisers alike. But what are the best sailboats for solo sailing? Well, let's find out.

Whether you've been thinking of going for a day's sail without assistance or dreaming of a solo passage to Bermuda, the desire and the magic of venturing out alone at the sea is something that any sailor can experience. It doesn't matter if you're cruising or racing, solo sailing, of course, requires you to change your thinking as you'll be solely responsible for the entire operation of the boat. More importantly, choosing a well-founded boat is critical to solo sailing.

When sailing with a crew, things may seem a little easy because you share the responsibilities among the crew and support each other in case of anything. But what happens when you decide to venture out alone or sail single-handedly? Whatever motivates you to go out sailing solo, you should choose a good boat that you can perfectly operate single-handedly.

In this article, we'll highlight 10 best sailboats for solo sailing, their prices, their best rigs, and everything else that you might need to sail them comfortably and safely.

Table of contents

General Features of Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

Here are the general features to look for when choosing the best sailboat for solo sailing.

The Availability of Automation Systems

The forces that you sometimes have to deal with when out sailing can be extreme, to say the least. It doesn't matter whether you're sailing solo or with a crew, it's always very important not to underestimate the power of the wind and tide. While you can do a lot on your own, having some automation systems in place is an important feature if you're planning to sail single-handedly. In other words, a good sailboat for solo sailing should have various automation systems to make your work a lot simpler.

So if you're planning to go solo sailing, it would be great to consider a boat with the following systems:

• ‍ Autopilot for steering
• Lines running aft (running to the cockpit)
• Roller furling
• Electric windlass
• Hydraulic bow/stern thrusters with remote

Stability and Ease of Use

Again, the best sailboats for solo sailing are generally not known for their speeds. This is because they typically have wide beams and short waterlines, which are vital in providing stability thereby limiting their speeds. In short, the best sailboats for solo sailing usually sacrifice speed and additional performance for ease of use and stability.

Boat Features

When it comes to the structure of the boat itself, it's important to go for a boat that is close to the water, relatively small when compared to the wave height, and has lighter ballast, especially when compared to the displacement ratio. The idea here is that these features can combine to increase the boat's performance when you're sailing solo.

Additionally, a good solo sailing boat should be designed with a flat profiled aft bottom section. This is to ensure that the boat can come up on a plane when the wind conditions are breezy or marginal.

When it comes to the best sails for solo sailing, you can go for the unique sail design that combines both a Bermuda sail and a gaff sail. This can be essential in giving you a more sail area on a shorter mast than is possible when using either a gaff sail or a Bermuda sail. More importantly, the combination of a gaff sail and a Bermuda sail not only gives you a greater sail area on a shorter and easy to control mast but can also reduce the heeling force that's common in boats with taller and narrower sails.

Still on sails, it makes a lot of sense to choose easily operated sail controls. You certainly want a sail that one person can tuck a reef in quickly and be able to easily adjust the sheets. You should, therefore, prioritize the reefing and sail handling systems.

In terms of rigs, the gaff rig is arguably the best when solo sailing. Although the Bermuda rig is the most common, especially in modern sailboats, you can lose some windward abilities because of its lower aspects. As such, you can choose to use the gaff rig thanks to its ease of use and superior downwind performance.

10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing

There are numerous sailboats out there that can be easily and properly handled by a skilled and experienced sailor. To make it a lot easier for you, the following boats are great choices when solo sailing. Whether you're just looking to experience how it feels to solo sail or short-handed, they all offer easy, comfortable, and safe sailing.

Jeanneau Sunfast 3200

{{boat-info="/boats/jeanneau-sun-fast-3200"}}

From the outset, it's easy to see that the Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 is designed with offshore short-handed sailing in mind. In addition to being a purist's sailing boat, this boat is a small and light boat that can be easily handled. Even better, it has the stability and strength to handle long passages and that's exactly why it was initially designed with the Trans-Atlantic race in mind.

With this boat, you can easily attain double figures in terms of speed even if you're sailing downwind. In essence, the Sunfast 3200 is designed with some of the latest technology to afford you the best strength-to-weight ratios. It has all the necessary features to allow you to easily adapt it to perform perfectly either as a cruising or racing sailboat. Some of its greatest features include the two double cabins, the chart table, a galley, and a head compartment.

This boat is particularly impressive when sailing off the wind and it's designed to ensure that it's functional and reliable even when solo sailing. This is perhaps because it's designed and set up for racing, so it can be great for you especially if you're looking for a coastal cruiser that can be easily handled.

Using the sloop Marconi can be the best way to go given that this vessel has a keel-stepped mast. Its maximum beam begins at 60% aft of the stem before extending to the transom, which can result in the sled hull being driven by a mainsail-heavy rig. This can then fly the masthead asymmetrical off a short sprit.

Given that the Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 is a very modern boat that's equipped with some of the latest boating technology; it comes with a base price of about $160,000. This is a vessel that's built by one of the world's premier builders and offers an intriguing blend of technology, reliability, functionality, practicality, and performance.

Having been the European Yacht of the Year for 2008, the Sunfast 3200 may just be the godsend boat for your solo sailing dreams.

{{boat-info="/boats/hanse-371"}}

If you're looking for a slippery cruiser-racer that's always ready to sail single-handedly, you might perhaps want to take a serious look at the Hanse 371. Introduced in 2003, the Hanse 371 is a mid-sized boat that was designed in a true blend of old and new boating technology. Thanks to its furling and self- tacking jib, the Hanse 371 becomes an instant single-handed sailing vessel that takes much of the strain out of your solo sailing adventures. That's not all; this boat is more popular as a result of its autopilot system. Press a few buttons and you'll be ready to go.

Although it's a little bigger and not one of the smallest boats out there, it can be a great option if you're planning to sail solo but on a vessel that offers a tremendous amount of space. Whether you love a boat with a shallow or deep center of gravity, the Hanse 371 has a commendable large galley and a spacious cabin layout.

Everything about rigging this boat is designed to be easy. Again, the jib on a roller furler is self-tacking. In essence, everything is standard and easy to use, which makes this boat a dream when sailing single-handed.

Already a classic that's known for its stylish interior, timeless look, and ultimate performance, the Hanse 371 is a coveted vessel that may cost you around $60,000.

Hunter Channel 31

{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-channel-31"}}

Launched in 2001, the Hunter Channel 31 is structured with a hull and keel design that makes it easy to sail single-handed. This is a British-made vessel that has steadily moved from the racing scene to become a well-respected cruiser, especially among the solo sailing community. Thanks to its faultless handling and impressive turn of speed, the Hunter Channel 31 provides near uncomplicated sailing without losing its impeccable handling features.

Its well-balanced hull shape can either be structured with a low or deep center of gravity. It also has an efficient twin keel to give it more stability, which is perfect for solo sailing. This is, without a doubt, one of the main reasons why Hunter Channel 31 has proved popular among solo sailors trying to sail across narrow channels.

The Hunter Channel 31 is also designed with a great standard deck layout, as well as a non-compulsory self-tacking jib that comes with a single line mainsail reefing. That's not all; the tiller steering is also efficient if you're sailing single-handed as you can steer it with your legs while trimming sails.

It should, therefore, not come as a surprise that owners of the Hunter Channel 31 keep them for a long time, so finding them on the market will be a long shot. But if you're lucky enough to find one, you'll be getting a great vessel that will never let you down if you want to sail solo.

Like many Hunter designs, the Hunter 31 can be fractionally rigged given that it has a relatively large mainsail to give it a more sail area in light winds and a small headsail with a lower sheet load. In other words, you can efficiently and easily reef from the cockpit.

At about $35,000, the Hunter Channel 31 is quite affordable and is a great bargain in its category.

{{boat-info="/boats/j-boats-j109"}}

The J/109 is unquestionably one of the best single-handed or double-handed sailboats that money can buy. Whether you're looking for a coastal cruiser or a long-distance single-handed vessel, the J/109 will rarely disappoint. That's essentially why its single-handed offshore capabilities remain popular with sailors looking to make North Atlantic crossings.

Even though it is widely categorized as a planing sailboat, this vessel is too heavy for simple planing. Instead, this is a superb boat that offers an all-round performance. It doesn't matter whether you're solo sailing or sailing with a crew, its performance is always top-notch.

Thanks to its asymmetric spinnaker, you can easily jib it from the cockpit, especially in light wind. But when the wind is on the north of 20 knots, you can pole out the jib to give you a quick downwind speed. No matter which type of rig you choose to use, the J/109 offers a fair degree of control.

In terms of price, the J/109 is one of the relatively expensive sailboats out there, though this is compensated with the high standard equipment and outstanding quality of construction. For about $58,000, you can get a great boat that offers excellent solo sailing adventures.

West Wight Potter 19

{{boat-info="/boats/west-wight-potter-19"}}

Designed for safety and easy handling, the West Wight Potter 19 is a great sailboat for solo sailing. Although its name might not be one of the catchiest in the sailing scene, it's been around for over three decades and is steadily becoming a popular pocket cruiser. The original design draws inspiration from the U.K. but is currently built by the International Marine in California.

Over the years, this boat has seen several improvements even though its original look and features still attract a large and dedicated group of followers. This is not only a tough little boat but its hard-chine hull offers incredible stability. This makes it a very easy and ultimately forgiving sailboat. Whether you're looking to sail from California to Hawaii or across the Atlantic, the Potter 19 is outstanding for solo sailing.

This is a Bermuda-rigged sloop. Its sail plan is huge enough to propel the sailboat in various conditions. This makes it a perfect single-handed boat as you can easily set it up or take it down with no special equipment.

This is a remarkably affordable boat. At around $5,000 you can get a superb solo sailing sailboat. But if you want a new Potter 19 with additional features, you could pay about $25,000.

Beneteau 31

{{boat-info="/boats/beneteau-31"}}

As a small cruiser keelboat, this French-designed boat is primarily built of fiberglass and is perfect if you want a vessel that's great for solo sailing while still offering maximum space for comfort. Its galley is equipped with superb stowage and counter space and even a sit-down navigation station with a small table.

Maneuvering this boat under power is quite easy and is well worth it for any solo sailor who is in the market for a coastal cruiser.

It has a fractional sloop rig, which makes in-mast furling a great option. This makes it easy to handle but also powerful in light winds. If you're sailing the boat off the wind, bow pulpit and an optional asymmetric cruising chute can keep things lively.

The new 31 can cost around $115,000, which is quite expensive but certainly worth it if you want to cruise the world in this French masterpiece.

Catalina 315

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-315"}}

This is a nifty pocket cruiser that raises the quality bar for solo sailors with extreme comfort and performance. With just a 9.45 meter hull, the Catalina 315 has more internal room than most classics and remains superb for solo sailing.

Although it's a much bigger boat, it has little but significant features that make all the difference. For instance, the split backstays are great for balance and functionality. This is one of the main reasons why it won the Cruising World's 2013 Boat of the Year Best Inshore Cruiser award.

With a masthead sloop, rigging the Catalina 315 is a lot easier as it is equipped with both an in-mast roller furling mainsail and a roller furling genoa.

Even though the Catalina 315 will exceed your expectations when sailing solo, it's a high-end sailboat that will cost you north of $175,000. But if that seems expensive, you can look for a used model, which will cost you slightly lower.

{{boat-info="/boats/vanguard-laser"}}

A boat that has become a staple in the Olympics Games, the Laser may be simple and small but a real-go to boat if you want a vessel that will rarely let you down for your solo sailing escapades. As one of the world's most popular single-handed sailboats, its main feature is its sheer simplicity. This might not be the best boat for you if you love those fussy, big boats. But if you're looking for an amazing boat with a two-part free-standing mast and a sleeved sail, the Laser should be on top of your list.

The fact that it has a lightweight hull and is easy to rig makes it one of the most popular racing sailboats in the world with over 200,000 boats in over 140 countries. This is undoubtedly a perfect boat that's specifically designed for solo sailing.

This boat can be rigged using various rigs, so you should go with whatever works for you. We, however, prefer cat rigging the boat since it has no headsail and only has one mainsail. This is a boat that is designed for speed, particularly in high winds. It's also easy to set up, which makes it a marvelous option for solo sailing.

For around $7,000, this is probably one of the most affordable solo sailing sailboats you could ever get your hands on. You should, however, keep in mind that its price may widely vary depending on their availability in your area.

{{boat-info="/boats/oday-rhodes-19"}}

A real classically-styled sailboat, the Rhodes 19 is an ideal family daysailer that can be perfect for you if you're a spirited solo sailor. Whether you're planning to sail in heavy weather or fast, the Rhodes 19 is designed with a forgiving hull and is an accomplished heavy-weather performer. For over 5 decades, and with more than 3,500 boats built, this sailboat has proven time and time again that it has the characters for both beginners and experienced sailors.

With a low center of gravity, this boat remains a classic beauty that's very fast, easy to trailer, and will get many compliments whenever you're solo sailing. No wonder it is still actively raced throughout the United States.

A simple sprit rig can work greatly on this boat but you can also consider Bermuda-Rigged sloop, which is efficient in propelling the boat in various wind conditions.

Its price may vary depending on your location but something around $20,000 will get you a sailboat that's still in tip-top condition.

{{boat-info="/boats/dehler-29"}}

If like most Americans, you have a soft spot for finely engineered German automobiles, the Dehler 29 can be a great option for your solo sailing escapades. Even though the Dehler 29 hasn't attracted a huge following in the American shores, it remains an excellently-structured German sailboat, especially for sailors looking for a stable, agile, adaptable, and comfortable sailboat.

Whether you enjoy a smooth and solo cruise on a breezy afternoon or is energized by speed, the Dehler 29 is one of the most adaptable sailboats. This is certainly why it has received numerous accolades in the boating scene including the 1998 Cruising World Magazine Boat of the Year, as well as Sailing World Boat of the Year award.

Given that it's a single-handed sailboat, you can tiller steer it and cat rig it with ease to give you easy maneuverability, confidence, and absolute versatility.

With powerful dynamics and maximum safety, the Dehler 29 is one of the best German-produced sailboats that will set you back around $55,000.

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Circumnavigate in a Hunter

• Thread starter ScottySailor
• Start date Feb 20, 2020
• Hunter Owner Forums

shemandr said: So glad you're healthy. A friend of mine once said you can always make more money but you can't make more time. I would go with the center cockpit since that puts you where the motion of the boat is least assuming you are thinking of offshore passages. Regarding how the modern Hunters handle weather I can only say that in a overnight race with weather my H356 would get the stern pushed around quite a bit going downwind in waves. It was to the point that helms people would tire in only a few hours. The autopilot, even if allowed to use it, would not have worked. A few posters here suggested having the rudder replaced/modified to be balanced (Meaning there is rudder stock forward of the rudder post.) I don't know your budget but dockage and everything else is pretty prices for larger boats. If you plan to anchor a lot be aware that the Hunters and other light hulls with high freeboard sail around on their anchors quite a bit. You'll want top notch ground tackle. Click to expand

Well, First- sorry I'm so late to the party, and congratulations on just being scared clear of mind! What a gift- the awareness of how brief our earthly visit really is, and deciding to 'live large while you can' is very clarifying- I hope that you are still on track & planning to make it happen. FWIW, 57 going through similar awareness & ending up in a similar place. Second, I know you came to what you considered a good source of information but- as always- opinions are like a$5holes- everyone has one and most are willing to show you theirs since you are showing them yours! I beg you to keep the dream alive, do what YOU choose to do, on your terms. Sure, crawl before you walk, and walk before you run- but- DO IT! Finally, Hunter (opinion) really came together around the year 2000 and design/production partnered to make some of the finest boats ever produced by Hunter Marine. Glenn Henderson really did some interesting 'tricks' to maximize the hulls for space, while allowing them to perform well in BOTH light/heavy air. Production boats can be excellent & can also be horror stories- I think from 2000 - 2012ish, Hunter had pride of design & build- they had some tight tolerances which they maintained over many hulls, creating some sturdy, well built boats. Not your grandpappy's Hunter of yore. (One man's somewhat considered opinion. I suggest you get others.) I believe- correct me if I am wrong- that all Hunter boats over 36' are rated CE: A which is ocean passage making. No limitations but they advise you to stay out of hurricanes. This is a rating from the European Union and they do not care about interiors, or paint schemes, etc... They ask specific questions and want ASTM validated test results regarding load bearing & repeatability, stress tolerances & safety. So, say you want a H38 and want cross the Pacific- go ahead but carry enough life jackets for everyone you bring along for the trip. Anyone who can't see the value of the traveler arch may be missing out on some of the designed in safety factors. Increased leverage, better load spreading, quick release in surprise gusts & it keeps the lines cleared out of the cockpit. The bow hollow does reduce the 'hobby horsing' and mast loading/unloading, and the reflex stern looks an awful lot like Marc Lombard's 'hard chine' being used in virtually every single modern boat being built today? Hmmm, was Hunter ahead of its time? I think so, and- obviously, you do as well. The fundamentals look purdy darn good as well. Shaft drive can be repaired pretty much anywhere in the world where someone has access to a machine shop, right? Yes, a folding prop might add a 1/2 knot or less, but certainly would make me feel like I was sailing a little less of a slug. Yanmar makes a very good engine and demanded a design/build partnership with Hunter to ensure that they would remain long lasting- clearly- it worked. The B & R rig is sturdy- regardless of the swept back spreaders eating mainsails when sailing dead down wind. (There are multiple solutions for this issue.) OK, the truth is- I'm thinking the very same thing you are- I too would like to circumnavigate in a Hunter. (2004 - 2012 H41 AC or DS.) Take a 2008, clean it up: standing/running rigging, soda blast the hull, re-seal it, all through hulls, fresh dripless stuffing box re-pack & new cutlass bearing, line cutter & zincs for the shaft end. The following is what I would 'add' and don't expect to see on any H41 AC or DS that I come across. * H2O maker- Doesn't need to produce crazy volumes, just good clean water. * Fixed davits with a solar panel arch, * 6Kwh generator generator plumbed in somewhere near the centerline. * LiFePO4 Batteries. As much as the budget will bear! * Hydrovane steering. Acts as a spare rudder, draws no electricity & works great! * 'Traditional Rig' footed, fully battened mainsail with shorter mast. * Full Keel. (6' 6") reduce upwind pounding (Increased pendulum) & added rudder protection * Asymmetrical down wind sail A very clean one will cost @ $140k & $60k seems to be a 'lite' estimate for re-fitting her, but- $200k 'all in' will probably be the best chance of success in a Hunter driven circumnavigation. It's probably safer to plan on $250k and 6 months to prepare her for service- I think a really good boatyard will be a good place to start the dream. I think I'll plan for an 18 month passage, possibly 2 years to allow for longer visits in some of the more remote ports of the world, occasional need for repairs and another $100k in reserves to allow for restful nights. So, I have some oddball 'wants' like the traditional rig & a full keel (and associated costs?). But, I want the power & control of a fully battened, vang-tied mainsail because I spent most of my youth in a Laser and genuinely understand how to 'balance' a boat on its sail in that format. However, I have no idea of what a shorter mast & a footed boom plus associated rigging will cost. I don't know how to move a 6,200Lbs. keel into position, or what to use to seal it against the bottom of the boats keel step? Heck, I don't even know what torque values to use to ensure safe mounting! DOH! I'm willing to learn & don't mind paying the yard with the tools to get these items properly mounted. I hope that 2 years after your initial post that you are on the water doing your circumnavigation in your Hunter already. If not, but still pursuing the dream- lemmino! I'll share what I've learned so far, and I'd love to have another resource when I have questions as well. (Flame suit on! I'm ready for 'Dumb & Dumber' jokes, 'the blind leading the stupid' statements- whatever!) Either way, I hope you are living your best life! Dave  

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> > Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. 21-07-2011, 08:52   Boat: Nordhavn 43 possible? . Cost ~$300k cash, good credit. Time 2 years. A going around via Suez and canals is about 29,000nm. At 6 knots average speed a 2 year trip is about 25% time underway. There is opportunity to stop in over 40 countries. The is full , main , dry , cooled. The 6 knots comes from the waterline length of ~38 feet, and ~100hp is a big enough to achieve efficient . It has average economy of 2.7nm/usgal. That is between 2 to 2.5 usgal per hour. capacity is 1200 usgal for safe range of 3000nm at the average speed of 6 knots. Total consumed is about 12,000 usgal which also assumes about 1000 gallons for a . The is comfortable and relatively low-stress to operate. It has , , anti-roll system (fins and/or paravane fish), air-conditioning, , wing engine (off-center extra engine with folding prop), fully enclosed pilothouse, 5-6 cubic feet of non-cold plate space, washer/dryer, , , and dive . Electricity is plentiful to run everything. Underway electricity comes from an , at it is from charged by a generator that uses a relatively small percentage of the fuel that is used for . Toss in some cells, and is even more abundant. Assume relative newness of components, some backups, and a certain willingness to live without certain luxuries if needed. The of boat needs to be in the 700k range, and paid for with a mortgage. After 20% down payment on a 20 year loan they payment is in the 3k range. will be about 10k per year. Mortgage, fuel, and are the 3 largest components of the . A usual cruising for , activities, and misc. can be relatively, or even a very small part of the big 3. An important trick of all this is the 2 year timeframe. The powerboat allows passages in adverse or minimal winds. The average speed means you have enough time to enjoy of call. Assume ship-shape components before you leave, reasonable amount of spares, few breakdowns expected and minimal long-term to worry about. You need to sell the boat when you get back, and you even might get a little bit of the 20% down payment back. So I did this, and it mostly worked. The only deviation is the wife and I loved the boat so much we decided to make it our permanent home and we are making payments try to keep her and again. The quality of our cruising experience was great. We enjoyed the luxury and comfort. You can say we burned the candle brightly. It was worth it, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I cannot tell you how many sailors and other folk tell me this plan is crazy, incredulous, or even impossible. Usually because they assume like this do not exist. They assume all powerboats consume 45 gallons an hour and have engine of a sailboat. Or that the only way to is for the rest of your life to be happy. It is definitely not bargain basement cruising, but it is also well within the budget of many people who buy cruising and dream of traveling the world. It is an alternative that is not for everyone, but I do feel like I need to evangelize a bit that it is possible. My wife and I even started with essentially zero experience, but it did take us 4 years to prepare. From my perspective sailing is for short fun day trips, for real comfort and on the high seas get the going. Nordhavn 43-18 , CA 21-07-2011, 09:23   Boat: Island Packet 380, now sold yacht, you can't do much better than the Nordhavn. I just checked out your blog for more details. Interesting! 21-07-2011, 10:53   Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43' to the is about 4000Nm. Last time I was in the fue was limited, may be different now. Nice boat though... The winds blow true,The skies stay blue, Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!! 21-07-2011, 11:08   Boat: Leopard Catamaran of fuel went up. About $4.00 in the US. I like powerboating, but doing the same trip without the fuel cost is very attractive. 21-07-2011, 11:43   Boat: Nordhavn 43 + fuel. And by having big , we could be choosy about where we filled up. We never had to get fuel from unsavory sources and thus didn't have the dirty fuel issues sailors often face. Unicorn Dreams: Eric's point in this is to make people aware that the right kind of boat can cross oceans safely. Why were you so quick to write off Panama to as impossible? A boat identical to ours also did it in May 2007 and we met up with them in Nuka Hiva. 21-07-2011, 12:41   Boat: Bluewater 420 CC forecasting, I am going to get caught out occasionally in some really serious sea conditions. Given the above, my choice is a medium to heavy dispacement sailboat which has significant self righting capacity and whose primary source of is not mechanical nor reliant on the quality of fuel available. However, the charm of is that we all make the same computations and come out with a totally different answer. Greg 21-07-2011, 13:00   Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43' boats do it every year. All I said and I do believe it was in was the miles from PC to FP so he could figure out what fuel he would need and to be able to check and see if fuel was readily available in the Islands in case he needed fuel. Didn't think I would have to spell it out step by step.. Unless there is a short cut to FP 3,000 mile range won't be enough to make it without carrying additional fuel or stopping in the Galapagos.. The winds blow true,The skies stay blue, Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!! 21-07-2011, 13:11   Boat: Nordhavn 43 21-07-2011, 13:17   ... 21-07-2011, 13:21   Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43' The winds blow true,The skies stay blue, Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!! 21-07-2011, 13:22   Boat: Cabo Rico on an extra nice sailboat and let nature do the . Truth is, for the involved you could have everything and not have to work too hard. 21-07-2011, 14:00   Boat: Nordhavn 43 everything and not have to work too hard. 21-07-2011, 17:31   Boat: Nordhavn 43 forecasting, I am going to get caught out occasionally in some really serious sea conditions. Given the above, my choice is a medium to heavy dispacement sailboat which has significant self righting capacity and whose primary source of propulsion is not mechanical nor reliant on the quality of fuel available. However, the charm of boating is that we all make the same computations and come out with a totally different answer. Greg 21-07-2011, 17:52   Boat: 50ft powercat, light,long and low powered 21-07-2011, 18:05   Boat: Baylurker 2755 a year ago Eric. Glad to hear you are keeping the boat. In my frugal opinion if you are going to buy a new depreciable asset then its best to keep it for a long time. Not to mention a lot more fun. Thread Tools Rate This Thread : Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post schoonerdog General Sailing Forum 38 15-07-2011 04:57 - - - - - - - Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. 327 IMAGES Circumnavigation Prep on Electric Sailboat: Meeting Sailing Vessel Mig [ep 43] Are Hunter Sailboats Any Good? (My Honest Experience) Hunter 33 Hunter 30-2 36ft Hunter Sailboat Rental in Vancouver, British Columbia Are Hunter Sailboats Any Good? (My Honest Experience) COMMENTS Circumnavigation in a Hunter? Can be done. People have repeatedly proven the boats can do it. I think the biggest issue isn't construction or seaworthiness (which is as good or better than other production boats, IMHO), but design. Hunters are designed with input from owners who, in most cases, use the boats differently. As a result, Hunter has maximized cockpit ammenities ... Circumnavigation on a Hunter 420? Nov 13, 2001. #1. My wife and I are hunting (no pun on words) for a boat to do a circumnavigation over the next three years. I am 6'6" so our boat options are very limited. The 420 offers a wonderful amount of interior space and would seem ideal for a live aboard situation.u000bu000bIn our search we hear a lot of Hunter bashing such as I wouldn ... Production Boats That Have Circumnavigated 3- Submissions shall include a link to a blog discussing the circumnavigation or the boats name, make and model and the route they chose. ... Boat = Hunter 460, 2000 model. Route Traveled = Atlantic crossing just completed from New York City to Lisbon via the Azores. Purchased boat in the British Virgin Islands and so have also sailed the ... 10 Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation 10 Best Sailboats for Circumnavigation. 1. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS. sunrise_sail. Starting off our list with one of the strongest contenders, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS certainly ticks the luxury box. What's impressive is just how visually striking and spacious the 54DS is. Circumnavigators vs Mt Everest Assuming an average of 2 crew on any boat completing a circumnavigation, that's about 200 people per year circumnavigate vs 500+ climb Mt Everest... So ya, it's more common for people to climb Mt Everest than sail around the world. Amazing. 24-12-2018, 12:11. # 2. belizesailor. Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation The best sailboats for circumnavigation include the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS, Neel 51, and Island Packet 349. These boats offer passengers a thoroughly enjoyable sailing experience and the reliability, efficiency, and luxury they need from a long-haul sailing vessel. Circumnavigation is all about navigating the world oceans on a dream sailing ... Hunter In regards to Hunters being blue water boats- properly equiped the boat will survive. Search youtube for the dozens of young couples circumnavigation in production boats. None have had catastrophic failures, simply normal wear and tear of equipment. Personally if solo, I would limit myself to 32-37 ft. World Circumnavigation Routes for Sailboats Year 3: French Polynesia to Fiji, store in Fiji. Year 4: Fiji to Australia, store in Australia. Year 5: Australia to South Africa, store in SA. Year 6: SA to the Caribbean. Of course, you'd see a lot less than you would on a 6-year circumnavigation like ours, but you get it done in a fraction of the cost and less risk. Hunter Channel 31: A sporty, solidly built cruiser The Hunter Channel 31 was introduced in 1999 as a replacement for the 32 which had replaced the Horizon 32. However, the 31 was designed as a lighter faster cruiser/racer and came as a One Design racing version called the 303 which had a deep lead fin keel. The Hunter Channel 31 was offered with fin or twin keels. Circumnavigation Circumnavigation. Good day all. I've been looking for a capable sailboat for a reasonable price, my goal is to start slow like sailing around lake Champlain but my real goal is more like sailing around the world. Because of limited resources I am trying to get the perfect boat on the first shot. According to my budget and a lot of research I ... Circumnavigation May 8, 2004. 375. Hunter 27 Bellingham, WA. Mar 15, 2012. #5. We have a couple in my small yacht club that took a standard Catalina 34 and went three quarters of the way around the world. They got bored with cursing and sold the boat in Turkey and then flew home. Owners' advice: Top tips for world circumnavigation Enso's owners jumped into a circumnavigation with both feet, setting off immediately after taking delivery of their new 25 metre Oyster 825. You could say their shakedown cruise was the Oyster World Rally. For the wife, it was a jump into the deep end as her previous sailing experience amounted to a week in Sardinia. Szymon Kuczynski Solo and Non-Stop around the World Szymon, who set sail last year from Plymouth on August 19, completed the circumnavigation in 270 days, 10 hours and 29 minute. The World Sailing Speed Record Council recognizes a similar feat by Alessandro di Benedetto (FRA/ITA) in 2009-10 who sailed a 6.5m (21ft 3.9in) Mini yacht around the world in 268 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds. Cal 35 vs Hunter 37 Cal 35 vs Hunter 37. I am looking for a mid 30's cruiser, capable of going bluewater someday for under 40k. I know that Cal's have a great reputation for being well built boats, my best friend and his wife liveaboard a Cal 34 MKII and it has been a great boat for the money. I really like the layout of the early 80's Cal 35 MKII. 10 Best Sailboats for Solo Sailing (One Person) Catalina 315. nwyachting. This is a nifty pocket cruiser that raises the quality bar for solo sailors with extreme comfort and performance. With just a 9.45 meter hull, the Catalina 315 has more internal room than most classics and remains superb for solo sailing. Circumnavigate in a Hunter Sep 11, 2019. 126. Hunter 49 2 San Diego,Ca. Feb 20, 2020. #1. Ahoy fellow sailors Newby sailor here about to open up a can of worms. Due to a cancer scare where I thought I might die but not to worry I'm healthy. I'm selling everything retiring and setting sail for roughly 10 years or more.lifelong dream. Circumnavigation Re: Circumnavigation - Advice from you. 1) do some sailing courses near where you are. 2) walk the marinas, put up signs, make some friends, go sailing on a few of their boats even if just for a few hours at a time. 3) buy a cheap well-known boat to get some experience in both sailing and fixing boats, intending to sell it in a couple of years. List of circumnavigations The 18 survivors, led by Juan Sebastián Elcano (Spanish), of Ferdinand Magellan's Spanish expedition (which began with 5 ships and 270 men); 1519-1522; westward from Spain; in Victoria.After Magellan was killed by Lapulapu off the Philippines on 27 April 1521, the circumnavigation was completed under the command of the Basque Spanish seafarer Juan Sebastián Elcano who returned to Sanlúcar ... Circumnavigate in a Hunter The Hunter 46/466/460 space below, long water line, tonnage, in-mast furling main, large spade rudder and large aft cockpit will provide very comfortable sailing even in heavy weather. In addition, the bow thruster will make marian maneuvering and docking a breeze. Boat tours and river cruises through Moscow: where to take them On this map you can see the details of the longest and most classic of the Flotilla Radisson boat tours: 2. Companies that do boat tours on the Moskva River. There are many companies that do cruises on the Moskva River, but the 4 main ones are: Capital River Boat Tour Company (CCK) Mosflot. Flotilla Radisson. Most Circumnavigations Not sure but it't probably an Oyster.I recall from reading the Oyster magazine a year ago that over 10% of the boats manufactured by the company have made a circumnavigation, so that would bring the total to around 150 boats. Then add to that the 30 or so that will do the company sponsored "Round the World" rally which comes up every two to three years, and you get a rather substantial number ... Circumnavigate in a Hunter The B & R rig is sturdy- regardless of the swept back spreaders eating mainsails when sailing dead down wind. (There are multiple solutions for this issue.) OK, the truth is- I'm thinking the very same thing you are- I too would like to circumnavigate in a Hunter. (2004 - 2012 H41 AC or DS.) Flotilla Radisson Royal Flotilla Radisson Royal: Cruises and excursions on Moscow River on river yachts and trams, official website. Cruises all year round, in summer and winter! > Purchase tickets online Powerboat Circumnavigation Possible Boat: Nordhavn 43. Posts: 26. Powerboat Circumnavigation Possible ? Is an under 50 foot powerboat circumnavigation possible? Yes. Cost ~$300k cash, good credit. Time 2 years. A route going around via Suez and Panama canals is about 29,000nm. At 6 knots average speed a 2 year trip is about 25% time underway. catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat yacht