Practical Sailorvideo
🌊 Sailing Adventure! Hunter 33.5 Sails from the Great Lakes to the Bahamas and Back
13 October 2025 · 14 min · 39K views · Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto
What this video covers
A 1993 Hunter 33.5 completed a 5,000-mile round-trip passage from the Great Lakes to the Bahamas, navigating the Hudson River and the Chesapeake Bay.0:45 The vessel, powered by a Yanmar 3GM30F engine with 1,200 hours, sustained a 70-knot squall in Atlantic City and encountered hurricane conditions in the Chesapeake.1:08 The owner replaced the stock anchor with a Mantis 35-lb model, paired with 150 feet of 5/16-inch chain, which held securely during severe weather.0:53 Electrical systems include 400 watts of solar panels, two 6-volt battery banks, and a Bluetooth battery monitor, allowing the crew to avoid shore power.2:33 The galley utilizes an alcohol-based stove, which the owner prefers over propane for storage and safety.11:31 Interior modifications include a custom foam mattress in the V-berth to improve comfort and storage.7:05 The owner notes that the below-deck furler complicates mast stepping and obscures visibility when reefed.5:34 Bahamas customs fees for vessels under 34 feet remain significantly lower than for larger boats.10:59
Boats in this video
More from Practical Sailor
From Practical Sailor — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.