Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - "which one shall I choose?"

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jess1485

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Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

I want a boat to sail the Med and hop from port to port, and also to sail in the Dover area. I have a choice of a Hunter or an Etap. Would love to hear your opinions on which would be the best for me.
Thanks.
Jessica
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

Hunter have their critics - self included – because of their bizarre rig. Although the rig has its defenders, ask yourself the question why no other volume builder has followed the same route.

OTOH, few people would criticise an Etap.

See here for some previous. Much more if you search.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php?Number=2001339
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

Why dont you have a choice of every boat on the market, rather than just these two??
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

Bit of a limited choice -- I wouldn`t want to go with either but if I had to choose one there would be absolutely no contest .--I would pich the Etap every time.
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

From the limited information, the answer has to be neither. Perhaps if you shared a little more about your plans you might get a bit more response. However, as many threads on this subject have shown there is no answer - just some basic criteria to exclude some boats and include others. If you have any experience in the Med, which I hope you have, you will know that all kinds of boats are used.

If you asked me, I would say a Bavaria 37, early 2000s style - but that is because I have one and it is my choice! However, if you asked me for my choice if money was not a limiting factor the answer would be very different.

Back to the drawing board, Jessica.
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

My partner and I are planning to spend a lot of time on the boat, so accommodation is important. We have been looking round now for several months and we loved the accommodation on the Hunter and the living space on the Etap. However, alternative suggestions would be welcome too.

Thanks.

Jessica
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

As an owner of an Etap 35i, I will say that one major benefit of the Etap will be the foam insulation. Not only does it help keep the boat dry and warmer in winter, it will, in the Med, help keep the heat out. This goes further in that you will find the fridge is in a solid block of foam, so it will not have to work overtime to keep the beer cool!
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

Thanks for providing a bit more information. However, it is difficult to give advice, but just few pointers, which you may already have considered.

The requirements for a boat for sailing in the English Channel are different from live aboard in the Med. Whilst the same boat may suit, it will be a compromise so perhaps being clear on priorities will help. Generally in the Med winds are light so sail areas tend to be bigger and boats lighter, but with means of easy sail reduction for when it does blow up. A good engine is important. However, what is more important is the equipment for living in the higher temperatures. Shade, cooling, and outside space are important. Water, fuel and battery capacities are also important, as is the ability to berth stern to and access the boat over the stern.

You can now see why Bavarias, Beneteaus, Jenneaus etc are popular. This is not to say that people don't use a wide range of boats - and many in the past have been bought in the UK and taken out there. However, if the main purpose is liveaboard, then a boat designed primarily for that is arguably better.

I do not know how much experience you have of sailing in the Med, but if little suggest you charter a boat and find out more before you commit to a particular boat. Many, including us have done this and it clarifies what is important. We ended up with a Bavaria 37 with a similar outline brief to yours, but equivalents from other mainstream manufacturers would be just as good. This is the type of boat charter companies use.

Hope this helps
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

Our previous boat was an Etap 38i - just the thing for the Med I would think.

If it's to live aboard I would imagine the boat becoming very cramped down below very quickly if there are more than 2 of you. They are not as roomy down below as the Hunter.

PM me if you want to discus the Etap 38i in more detail.

In the mean time, there's this: http://www.sailblogs.com/member/yanita/
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

If you need space then the Hunter has much more , however if you want a yacht as opposed to a caravan then the Etap is a much better bet.

If you want yacht that sails well AND Gives you space then maybe a Beneteau 411 , Jeanneau 42.2. Dufour 425 etc etc .
If you gave out a budget figure it would help.
 
Re: Hunter 42 passage or Etap 38i - \"which one shall I choose?\"

[ QUOTE ]
Hunter have their critics - self included – because of their bizarre rig. Although the rig has its defenders, ask yourself the question why no other volume builder has followed the same route.

[/ QUOTE ]

No axe to grind here, but isn't it patented?

Plus, I'm pretty sure that the passage 42, which goes back a few years, has a backstay and is overall more conservative than more recent offerings.

I think this pic shows a backstay?

315.JPG
 
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