[Hunter 42] 42 P Off Shore

[Paul Olson]

We just purchased a 1994 42 P. After a full survey on this one owner boat it was indicated as a 9.5 out 10, a good buy. We did not purchase the boat to go off shore - having said that, I would like to know if this boat is a safe bet to go off shore or a insane risk. I realize there are boats built with off shore in mind - can this this boat (42P) handle it?
Paul

[Phil Herring]

Here's a bad photo of a 42 in the Panama Canal:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/ind...9&brand=Hunter

Also search the archives for the name Chris Oldham. I think he put 100,00 miles or so under the keel. Others have done the same.

There are probably more comfortable boats to sail offshore, but you'll fail long before the boat does.

[Dan]

For what it's worth, the P42 has a CE rating of A, meeting a minimum set of standards as set forth by the European Union. Here is what the ratings mean:

A. OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may
exceed wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights
of 4 m and above but excluding abnormal conditions, and vessels
largely self-sufficient.

B. OFFSHORE: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up
to, and including, wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to,
and including, 4 m may be experienced.

C. INSHORE: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays,
estuaries, lakes and rivers where conditions up to, and including,
wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2
m may be experienced.

D. SHELTERED WATERS: Designed for voyages on sheltered
coastal waters, small bays, small lakes, rivers and canals when
conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant
wave heights up to, and including, 0,3 m may be experienced,
with occasional waves of 0,5 m maximum height, for example
from passing vessels.

Craft in each Category must be designed and constructed to withstand
these parameters in respect of stability, buoyancy, and other relevant
essential requirements listed in Annex I, and to have good handling
characteristics.

[Paul Cossman]

Paul, I have sailed our 1991 P42 over 40,000 miles; twice to NZ from North America, and seven times between NZ and the Tonga/Fiji islands (including all the S. Pacific islands, Palmyra, Hawaii, etc). We've made some modifications, all of which I'd consider minor. For details on the modifications we made, check the big boat archives for "Sabina" or "Cossman." The boat does just fine. We've had no problem heaving to in rough weather, although laying to a sea-anchor (18' diameter Para-tech parachute) was so rolly I won't do it again unless we're approaching a survival situation. The boat also handles fine w/a storm staysail and double-reefed main in most heavy weather conditions.

Enjoy.

BTW, we're now doing some minor refitting on Sabina, and we plan to take off for our third Coconut Milk Run in Spring 2011, this time planning to cruise for 5 years.

Hi Paul, we purchased our fully equipped 1991 model P42 in 2002 with the intent of sailing off shore. I received input from several P42 owners at that time who were in various stages of off shore cruising. All had high praises about the boat, with some improvement suggestions.

Since then we have sailed Belle-Vie several thousand miles all over PNW waters and have no regrets. Check out the Boat Info tab above and delve into numerous articles that I and others have written about various 42 improvements.

Terry Cox

[Paul Olson]

Originally Posted by Guest

Hi Paul, we purchased our fully equipped 1991 model P42 in 2002 with the intent of sailing off shore. I received input from several P42 owners at that time who were in various stages of off shore cruising. All had high praises about the boat, with some improvement suggestions.

Since then we have sailed Belle-Vie several thousand miles all over PNW waters and have no regrets. Check out the Boat Info tab above and delve into numerous articles that I and others have written about various 42 improvements.

Terry Cox

Thankyou all for your submissions. We are glad to hear that we can at least think about it and maybe make it a goal someday. Cant pull the pin here yet.

[Paul Olson]

Originally Posted by Phil Herring

Here's a bad photo of a 42 in the Panama Canal:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/ind...9&brand=Hunter

Also search the archives for the name Chris Oldham. I think he put 100,00 miles or so under the keel. Others have done the same.

There are probably more comfortable boats to sail offshore, but you'll fail long before the boat does.

Phil.
Thanks for your submission we will check Chris Oldham out.

[DanColucci]

Originally Posted by Paul Cossman

Paul, I have sailed our 1991 P42 over 40,000 miles; twice to NZ from North America, and seven times between NZ and the Tonga/Fiji islands (including all the S. Pacific islands, Palmyra, Hawaii, etc). We've made some modifications, all of which I'd consider minor. For details on the modifications we made, check the big boat archives for "Sabina" or "Cossman." The boat does just fine. We've had no problem heaving to in rough weather, although laying to a sea-anchor (18' diameter Para-tech parachute) was so rolly I won't do it again unless we're approaching a survival situation. The boat also handles fine w/a storm staysail and double-reefed main in most heavy weather conditions.

Enjoy.

BTW, we're now doing some minor refitting on Sabina, and we plan to take off for our third Coconut Milk Run in Spring 2011, this time planning to cruise for 5 years.

I have a 1990 Passage 42 and recently upgraded my mainsail with a strong track and MackPak in hopes of being able to single hand my boat ... the mainsail with full battens has been difficult at best. Can you tell me what you use for a mainsail configuration and if you have a crew of more than 2? Thanks in advance for any advise ...

Dan

[Paul Cossman]

Originally Posted by DanColucci

I have a 1990 Passage 42 and recently upgraded my mainsail with a strong track and MackPak in hopes of being able to single hand my boat ... the mainsail with full battens has been difficult at best. Can you tell me what you use for a mainsail configuration and if you have a crew of more than 2? Thanks in advance for any advise ...

Dan

Hi Dan,
Our mainsail is similar to the original Hong Kong sail size and configuration. We replaced it with a heavy cruising sail made by North Sails, but it has the same Dutchman system and double reefing system. Basically stock.
Actually we had North Sails also make us a new jib, storm staysail, and storm trysail. Our jib is cut considerably higher than the original, as I like the improved visibility. We also replaced the Hood furler with a Harken, which works so much better, and we often will just furl in some of the jib if winds are between 15 and 20 knots. However, by the time the wind rises to 20 knots, we completely furl the jib and hoist the storm staysail. By then there is also a reef in the main. If the winds rise to about 25 knots or so, the second reef goes in the main.
We almost always have the main up when under sail. If the winds rise beyond 40 knots, and we're not heaving to, we may proceed just under storm staysail alone, which we've done several times. Fortunately we've never had to use the storm trysail, which deploys on a separate track affixed to the mast.
We virtually always sail double handed; just my wife and I. I occasionally single hand on day trips, but not very often and only when the weather is cooperative. Whenever I am reefing the sails in heavy weather my wife is hand-steering at the helm, holding us bow-into-the-wind. However, I don't see why a strong autopilot (we have an ST 7000 that has never been overpowered) couldn't hold you steady enough to reef the sails.
Reefing can occasionally be a challenge with the in-boom system. My approach is to try to ensure the inner blocks are free and untangled before leaving on a passage, and to check them regularly while underway on a multi-day passage. Also to make sure the reefing line is lying free at the base of the mast. When reefing I will lower the main halyard to the (previously marked) point where the halyard enters the line brake and brake it off. Then I will winch in the reefing line.

Take care,
Paul

[Bill Bell]

We cruise about 1500 nm each year from the west coast of Florida to the Bahamas and back each year. Sometimes see 10 - 12 foot seas. The 42/420 handlles it nicely. Never have any problems.