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I bought this exact boat, Painkiller, back in April. It’s really been an excellent boat, and we got it for an amazing price!

As a US Sailing instructor in the San Francisco area ( an area well known for being quite challenging, in the bay and especially offshore, for years we taught on Hunter yachts. We really gave those boats a work out. Sailing outside the Golden Gate can be very rough. Strong winds, steep large seas, fog, heavy shipping, cold water etc. This is not like Fl or the keys/Bahamas. Not that that area can’t be nasty too. It’s just a lot less common. How did the Hunters do? Quite well actually. And the Yanmars were very good too. Mike Harker sailed a Hunter 46 and later a 49 around the world singe handed, in 11 months. Often breaking 200 mile days. Oh, did I mention that he was a paraplegic. Yeah, hunters can cruise.

The best boat to cross any ocean is a well maintained boat with a competent crew.

I have a Hunter 44, same hull as the 45 but aft cockpit, and I’ve done a pacific crossing twice. The Hunters are great boats and don’t get the credit they deserve. I’ve been sailing for 20 years and every time I get on another boat (especially “blue water” boats), they are more complicated to sail, slower and have less space below for their size. I’ve been cruising in the South Pacific for 5 years now, and my Hunter 44 has been a great boat with all its comforts. Because of it’s stainless steel arch, I was even able to put 2k of solar on her, so now I can run my washing machine and dishwasher as often as I want. 😎

My girlfriend and I are living and cruising on a 2004 Hunter Passage 456, we love it. Other than three design flaws, it is amazing. Design flaws first: the stairs in then companionway are steep, curved and treacherous in heavy seas; the storage could be better designed; last and not least the impeller is almost impossible to replace. All these Issues were corrected in the Passage 45. Both my girlfriend and I are both novice sailors, but can manage this boat easily. Actually, I single handed it until we met, which was a challenge. We sailed close to 4000 miles in 2022, spent three months in the Bahamas, and went around Cape Hatteras three times. We have endured well over 15 foot seas a few times. When the bottom is clean, this this flys. We are leaving to cross the gulf stream this week and will spend hurricane season in Granada. This “production boat” has crossed a lot of “blue water”. I love this boat!

Sailing Jibsea has taken their Hunter 42 Passage from Toronto to the Caribbean, Azores, Ireland, Faroes, Netherland and back to Ireland. They are heading to the Med next. It also is a great sailing channel BTW.

While I agree that the 45CC is a great boat and it offers a lot of bang for the buck, think anyone looking for a boat like this should also take a look at Hunters next offering in this category, the 50CC. Hunter made a lot of improvements and this boat is available for not much more than the 45. They built the boat much heavier. While the length increased by slightly less than 5 feet and the beam by 3inches, the overall weight went from 23,000lbs to 37,000lbs. which allows it to handle heavy seas much better. The tanks are a lot bigger (fuel capacity is more than double). Overall the fit and finish is nicer. They did make a few however where they installed a 2 person hot tub under the master bed (Ok for a marina queen but not for a cruising sailboat)

Ah, the good old OI 41. Morgan originally designed that boat specifically for the Caribbean charter business. When I used to spend a ton of time down that way this boat was joking called the Sea Cow 41. They are slow and can't point to save their lives, but they were comfortable sailing up and down the islands. If you buy one make sure you put a Code Zero and a versatile Asym in the sail locker. One major downside of an older CC like this is that the cockpit itself is typically pretty small. Considering how much time you spend at anchor and sitting outdoors, having a cockpit that is "crowded" with 4 people sitting in it can be a bummer.

I like what sailing GBU did to their boat as complete novices. I realize they haven't taken chances & gone out of the Caribbean and abroad but I promise they are living their best lives and doing pretty well for themselves revamping a 37' 1985 Hunter (?). Just saying these boats can work; just like Tim said. Its not always equipment but maintenance & replacement of equipment and most of all living the best life you can with whatcha got

I'm looking to buy my first sail boat, and I learn so much from your videos. Thank you!

You are the best at keeping my dream alive. Thank you.

I've had three Hunters. I currently love our 41DS. Sails great and a ton of room...... and made well.

Thanks Tim for this excellent review. I’m so glad you have validated my boat. I have the 420 which is actually 44’ overall so it’s not a small boat. Everyone who comes about is amazed at its roominess. Took a buddy sailing who has a “blue water” boat. And he was amazed at how well my Hunter sailed. It’s a solid ride and don’t hesitate taking her offshore.

We have an Hunter 376 and it’s been solid and reliable. We love it

Tim you do a great job with these I always look forward to seeing what you have to say

My family and I are planning on going sailing in a few years, saving and preparing now, and at the moment I like the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS, 2 large cabins, aft has a divider wall that can turn it into 2 cabins, allowing us to easily adapt as kids come and go. Cockpit is a bit higher and more forward but still has a walkthrough transom. Also, I am 6'4" so headroom is a factor.

Thank you so much for making these videos! We are a family of four looking for a cruising boat and the information you share and the insite into these "discouraged" brands is very helpful. Thank you ;)

Glad to see a image of my Morgan 41 on your video! Thaks for choose my Dream Seeker to post it! You put my two dream boats on the same video. The Morgan is already in my hands since 15 years ago and I love it!

The Kelly Peterson 44 and 46 are beautiful boats. One of the few center cockpits that look perfect.

Hunter has always been one of my favourite sail craft 🍻

Nicely presented logic and commonc sense as always!

Thanks a lot mate, i've rarely heard someone from the sailing world lineup precisely what a family boat should be and when i compare it to a more modern one like a beneteau i do totally understand your point of view.

We bought a 420 Passage for our first boat and moved onto it full time. Everything you said is perfectly correct.

Excellent review, thank you. I have watched this a couple of times.

You do fine work. Your videos are very well produced, researched, and valuably informative. Many thanks.

I so love that boat. It’s absolutely perfect for me and me wife. Lots of solar, a wind generator, water maker and generator, bigger tanks. I will travel the word in this boat

I love this video. I have a smaller hunter 33.5 that we live aboard and love it. In a couple years I would love to upgrade to a 420 passage. Another thing to point out is the size of the engine bay on most cc’s is huge with ample room to work on things. Cheers Tim

I would take either of these two boats in a heart beat!

Hi Tim. This brodcast was one of the most intertaining on your channel. A lot of great arguments to select the proper Hunter to sail around the world. Only one thing though I would modify is about geography. The Mediterranean is not all over the world . Some would say that crossing the Atlantic Ocean is like going over a pound compared to a much more challenging Indian Ocean. Keep up the great work. I really enjoye watching your new released episodes. Cheers!

I was a boat broker for 10 years and specialized in sailboats. Hunter had some pretty sad construction in the 90's, but by the time 2007 came around they had done a lot to remedy that. At that point they were much better built, though they never did shake the stigma from earlier designs. They don't sail as well as a Beneteau, but they offer superior accommodations. I wouldn't choose one for ocean crossings, but they are capable and underrated.

the beneteau 57 is a center cockpit as well, and my god is it a beauty in my opinion. I'd love to see a whole video on it, as beneteau isn't usually talked about as high quality, but I've seen them for sale for 280k, and it just seems like a great boat for a great price

We looked at a Morgan Out Island a couple of years back. We had lusted after one for years until we went inside one for the first time. My wife is 5'10" and I am 6'1" and 220 lbs. Loved the decks and cockpit, but instantly upon descent into the saloon, we both knew the space was too small for our bodies. We later bought a Bruce Roberts Offshore 44 and are quite happy with its interior volume. Thanks for your thoughtful and thorough reviews!

Great short video!! amazing food for thought!! I have asked for a couple years, to old sailers about Hunter boats. They always shoot them down. I don't think they really know the details. Great video!! thanks Mike

What I’ve been discovering while learning about boats before deciding what will work for me is that center cockpit = aft cabin and back deck…

Well thought out video with some great points!

great video, i think the hunter 45 cc is beautiful boat and you made some really good points that's why i subbed

Valid points all around! I'm not generally a hunter fan, but that is mostly due to their production models. Especially like your final comparison with the Island Packet. I'd love an Island Packet, but for $200K less...sweet deal!

After reading a bunch on blue water boats, I agree with you that it isn't about makes/models. But I do start with safety in terms of 1) Skeg rudder and 2) integrated keel (not bolted). Also have to pay a little for those things and go a little slower. Great boat otherwise.

my first vid of yours! very well done! great discussion, thank you!

I love the morgan. Now you have me looking at hunter. Great video!!!

I'm right with you Tim. A center cockpit Hunter 45 is definitely a great live aboard boat. Here's why they just might be an incredible bargain as a round the world boat. We no longer need to sail boats that might be taken unawares by a hurricane, with some exceptions we know where the reefs are and where to be careful, and we know exactly where we are. When my Hunter first sailed in 2003, I don't think we had Predict Wind, or In Reach, an Iridium phone was very expensive. We now have Starlink, AIS, incredible weather information. We know well in advance where not to be and where we can safely be in enough time to get there. My current car is very sturdy, but I'm not sure it could've driven the roads a Model T had to drive on. But it doesn't have to. A year ago I could tell you all the reasons why a Leopard catamaran was the baseline cruising boat. Don't get a Lagoon or a Bali, but get a Leopard or anything better that you could afford. Monohulls? I just wasn't interested. Then I got a Hunter 456. Supposed to be my 'practice boat.' The only real difference with a cat is the saloon doesn't have 360° views. I thought the center cockpit might be a bit high, in a sea it might wobble back and forth. So far it's just been stable and easy. And it maneuvers better than any 28' or 32' I've sailed. Prop walk is minimal. (plus I've got a bow thruster.) So what is the history of the center cockpit? (I guess you could take it all the way back to galleys.) So maybe Hunter learned from Morgan? So here's my only good DIY boat project tip: 42" 4K TV on the swivel arm, on that wall/bulkhead to the fore pullman berth. Drill a hold next to the mechanism, put a mini cleat on the wall in the fore berth. Tie some parachute cord on the pivot right at the TV. I was going to buy some foam, but my boat has already had two couples own her, so two women. On a twenty year old boat that means about 20 throw pillows. I just jam one on one side of the TV, pull the string back through the hole and cleat it off. Holds the TV steady for sailing. I don't know if the Whitlock steering is standard, but that's a plus, as is the shaft instead of a saildrive.

Thank you. I'm in the market for my first and hopefully only sailboat I'm retired and planning to enjoy retirement costal cruising, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America I'm looking at a 1996 40.5 Hunter the year I got out of the Marines. So Thank you once again .

Excellent information, thank you.

I love the Zappa also!!

i like those center cockpits and that Hunter really looks nice.

Thanks! NEver thought of this one...

Wow that’s gorgeous, I’d be sold in a heartbeat!

I'd love to see more reviews on trailer sailers 🙂

Great video as always

Beautiful

I’ve owned a couple of Hunters. Took my Hunter 41 to Catalina about 40 times, many times singlehanded. My best sustained speed was 9 knots, but mostly 7 - 8. It’s a great coastal cruiser. Lots of space, lovely interior design. I previously owned a couple of Norseman’s. Heavier, super nice well-built cruisers but overkill for southern CA sailing.

I am still partial to the Cat/Mor 440 for my next boat, but would not take off my list. Ben / Jen have to much exterior wood, saildrive and steel keel. Wish I could afford an Oyster, but need to be realistic with regards to $. My last sailboat was a Hunter 380 and have high regards for it. My only complaint is the B&R rig and the huge mainsail, just be careful about an accidental jib, use a boom brake or attach a preventer when going downwind. I stepped to the wrong side a few years ago and bought a 44' convertable power boat for family reasons, just sold it and shopping for a sailboat. I agree, a mid 40s' sailboat is the perfect size for a small family or two couples.

I always appreciate your open minded views. I personally opt for the fully skegged rudder for directional stability in the ocean. Granite spade hung rudders are a joy to when maneuvering in tight heavy traffic and marina areas. The spade hung rudder can make a tack or jib, if performed too quickly very harmful. But if one truly understands that marinas are a serious drain and suck ones wallet dry. They are for serious repairs only due to the cost of being in a slip. Staying whenever possible on the hook in less crowed areas one does not need a sports car turning ability. Only My two cents.

Really enjoyed this video, thanks.

Brilliant food for thought

I was just about yelling at the screen begging you to be quiet. I have this in the top 5 boats for consideration of purchase. Wish you had waited one more year before putting this out. I don't need the competition for purchase!!!! Nice job as always!

I’ve wanted a passage 420 since the early 2000s back when I was reading sailing magazines🤙

Awesome video on Hunter boats!

I live on hunter 375 an thay are spacious an sail very well I've done the bass strait the grate Australian bite round trip of Tasmania an most of the Australian mainland with no problems or regrets.

Finally you are treating Hunters honestly. I have owned a Hunter 41 for 10 years and can attest that the larger Hunters are fantastic cruisers. Fast, roomy, safe, sea worthy and, yes, less expensive than Catalina’s. Just because their factory manufacturing processes made them less expensive doesn’t mean they are of less quality than boats $100K more.

Great video, as usual.

great vid!

I owned an 89. Great boat. Mine was rigged to be single handed. Never had an issue with it.

I just found this boat in PR. Hopefully going to see it next week

Well my choice for something beefier would certainly not be an Island Packet, but Halberg Rassy, Contest, Najad, Outbound, Kelly Peterson or even a Bristol. But that said I am going to the Bahamas on a friend's Passage 450 and have no concerns about the boats capabilities. I would certainly be comfortable with it for a circumnavigation.

The Hunter 45 CC has a CAPSIZE RATIO of 2.05 - which would be considered marginal/failing for blue water (should have a ration below 2.0) and a COMFORT RATIO of just 24.4 (better if over 30) so will be tough on the crew during long passages. These are not very good numbers, if one believes in the stats. As for the boat itself, it has a very small anchor/rode locker, and I'm not sold on the forward bunk being very habitable, but the rest of fhe interior and the cockpit is great. I'd cruise one in the Caribbean or Baja but wouldn't try crossing the Indian Ocean. The Hunter does make a better choice than those old Morgan 41s.

Enjoy your insight

Excellent. Thx.

Sweet!

Nice video. I’d like to see you do a comparison of the hull/keel/deck design/manufacture between Beneteau and Hunter, compare two similar models for example the Beneteau 40 you highlighted as the couples cruiser and a same year Hunter 41. From the basics seems like the Hunter is by far a stronger build, with a keel stub, deep bilges with water/waste tankage down low in center of boat. Most (maybe all) Hunters had lead keels till 2008 or so, Beneteau hasn’t used lead in decades, maybe never and typically have very a shallow bilge (no keel stub) with tanks often forward and aft under berths.

My problem with this boat is the age. Just under 20 years, I'd be concerned if she still has her original standing rigging. How is that motor? Its coming up to full rebuild time? So I guess my point is there are alot of critical systems that need replaced between 20 and 30 years and paying, we'll say half the cost of a new one for one 20 years old is going to be painful when any of these jobs could run you $20,000 easily on boats of this size. I'd feel much safer buying the original morgan with a broke engine for $30k, installing a new one and at least I'd know I got a deal and wouldn't be left stranded.

Great video!

I like that the old Morgan was a ketch...this Hunter CC would be perfect as a ketch (or yawl...yes...I'm weird). Great content!

Tim. As usual. Very educational. I like all your videos. When are you getting back out here ?

Thank you for putting together some really helpful videos. I currently sail a smaller Henderson design, a 2019 Hunter 38. I bought her in 2019 for $105k and she was the perfect step up from the little 22' Hunter I sailed for 5 years. As a financially independent 64 year old, I am seriously considering the cruising life and making ocean passages to get where I want to go. Though I love my 38, but she has a bolt on fin keel, 8.5' of draft, and lacks some amenities I feel are necessary (e.g. water maker). So if I am going to cruise for a couple of years, I feel I need a boat better suited to that purpose. The Hunter Passage has always looked attractive to me, but so have Island Packets of that size. I could afford the Island Packet, but wonder if I would really get my money's worth out of it. The only reason I can see going with the Island Packet is safety, but I would be exercising precautions to avoid the worst kind of weather. I'm also looking at catamarans and recently took an ASA 114 class. While there is much to like, there is much to fear. The advice I am most looking for at this time is training for blue water sailing. Everything I have done is Southern California coastal cruising in winds under 25 knots. I've heard some horror stories about the 26 mile crossing between Long Beach, CA and Catalina Island, but the roughest conditions I've encountered crossing that channel pale in comparison to blue water conditions I have seen on the web. Do you feel it is a requirement to take a blue water sailing class before attempting to cross and ocean? Or, if one has practiced the techniques necessary for really bad weather, would it be unnecessary? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

After 2 years research I bought my sailboat 1 year ago. A Hunter 420. I absolutely love it. You made an excellent video detailing these boats. Thank you, thank you thank you. And, I’m sure y on are familiar with Jib-Sea sailing one for 2 years.

Fantastic video. Subbed 👍🏻

Thank you very much ❤️👍🙏

great episode. Some people will always talk trash on a manufacturer. Its like driving a ford or chevy. or a cummins over a duramax. just do your research and buy the one you can afford. or tell the wife you can afford it.

Thank you Tim. 🙏 As European I must say honestly that Americans should feel proud over Marlow-Hunter. Few boat makers have designers that skilled. MH boat design is awesome in comfort and style. My few tips that might keep the crusty boat pundit sale community off anyone's time chart: A) Second hand boat buyers should take a careful look around the premises of any sale point: Are there maintenance infrastructure? Is the sales point more a dump yard than an "outdoor boat shop" (if its stored) Have the present owner found it worth rise value by washing their floating gemstone? Build value means to be as critical on the surroundings as to the state of the sale object regardless of sale at a private location or at a sale point. B) Analyse the owner/salespersons behavior to determine willingness keep a preagreed level of responsibility: Aggravated? Sudden onset of tics-like behavior? Stressed? Nervous? Does the salesperson have key data on the object or are there a sudden occasion of acute amnesia? C) Don't blame the marine surveyor if there's unpleasant surprises when you've bought your future wallet-drainer. Be adult and sign a full agreement on your full responsibility. Marine surveyors are most likely people who never passed college. Buy an insured marine survey. D) Mind your own behaviour and speech intonation, choice of determination while conversing the salesperson to find out what's to know about your purchase object.

good analysis. :)

Mind you, the Island Packet 440 seems to sit right in the middle of the wet spot for sailing boat value. A slightly bigger, over priced 420 (which is already usually over-priced), where the extra length seems to have been wasted on a daft looking, over-done nav station. They sit on Yachtworld forever. There's one in Hampshire that seems to have been sitting there since before they started building 440s. Clearly the world¨s most optimistic sailor.

Great vid, like that Hunter.

Take a look at below the water line on both the OI 41 and the Hunter 45CC, It is obviuos that the OI 41 is the more robust design.

great episode my f

The boat that I thought was significant in the 70’s, was the Formosa. Like the boat in the video “Captain Ron”. I believe that was a 47 foot Formosa, I could stand to be corrected. And the Out Island series were notable as charter boats…though not all of them. I remember an article about a couple that bought a new boat to race in their local club. First sail they were buddy boating with another couple in an Out Island. No matter how they tweaked their sails, the Out Island though astern of them, managed to keep up. They were so disappointed. When they got to their berth for the night, the crew of the Out Island came over to enthusiastically congratulate them “We had to keep the motor running just to keep up with you guys!”

It has got a big space on board but this boat is not fast it is actually one of the slowest in its size we bought an ELAN 45 with a hull tickness of 25mm and it is one of the fastest boats.

Whether a boat is blue water or not is generally more about the sailor than the boat. Sure most of us would like a Hallberg or a Najad or Island Packet but as Tim points out we just don't have the ready cash to splurge that big.

..from all the boats I've looked at over the last few years I think the Morgan out island 41 is the nicest boat for the money. Yeah, if you had an unlimited budget you could get something newer but I think they did such a great job designing that boat and the interior layout it's a hard boat to beat for the prices... I actually like how they look...the hull reminds me of the old square rigged boats... To buy a newer boat with the same basic features it's almost double the money.. IMO...

Great video. Funny how people suggest you buy bus when they typically drive a Honda. If your cruising bvi, Bahamas why not do it and have money left to enjoy it.

You should check out the boats from Sirius. They match even better what you describe but are more expensive.

My boat-search broker called Hunter a "Condo you can sail". It's exactly what we want for the BC coast - comfort, safety, ease of operation - within the budget. We don't need to go fast, because we aren't going far.

oh yeah this is a winner put in a water maker and you are set for life

Loved the video. How about those of us that don't want to sail? Call me lazy 🙂but it's more along the lines of I'm aging and need to take it easy.

Thanks for the video. I’m looking at boats for family fun and Hunter wasn’t on my radar.

I've been seriously searching for a sailboat and have decided on a 43' or 44' Nauticat as THE perfect sailing/cruising boat.

KISS seems to work for so many different things in this world. RTFM also seems to be a helpful acronym...

Just saw this. Good video. My 41DS is great. I probably wouldn't cross the Indian Ocean in it, but guess what? I don't go across the Indian Ocean. I sail and up and down the Florida Gulf Coast.

Great video! Have you ever looked at or reviewed the Hunter 49?