1998 Hunter 420 Passage

Paws & Chill is a Hunter Passage 420 center-cockpit cruiser equipped for owners who want to make the most of extended coastal travel, offshore passages, and unhurried weekends aboard. The center-cockpit design delivers an elevated, well-protected helm position along with the separation and privacy that make this model especially attractive for couples cruising with family or guests. Her size and purposeful layout offer the comfort to turn a weekend escape into a longer adventure along the Carolina coast and beyond.

This vessel is thoughtfully outfitted to reduce the workload of passagemaking. A bow thruster supports close-quarters maneuvering around docks and marinas, while modern electronics assist with navigation and route planning. Solar capacity, a large AGM house battery bank, and Starlink internet provide greater self-sufficiency at anchor, allowing owners to stay powered, connected, and comfortable away from shore power for longer stretches.

The result is a cruiser suited to both active and relaxed use: sail to a quiet anchorage, invite friends aboard for a waterfront weekend, or point the bow south for an extended seasonal cruise. With its protected center cockpit, liveaboard-friendly systems, and cruising-oriented amenities, Paws & Chill offers a versatile platform for sailors looking to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Accommodations and interior

• Layout: Center‑cockpit sloop with forward cabin, spacious saloon, walkthrough galley, and large aft owner’s stateroom.
• Cabins: 2 private sleeping cabins (forward double, aft centerline pedestal berth).
• Heads: 2 heads, both with separate shower areas and remote sumps.

Forward cabin / head

Offset double berth, lockers and drawers, adjacent head with molded liner, vanity, Jabsco manual toilet, and handheld shower draining to sump.

Saloon / nav station

Wrap‑around dinette to starboard, settee to port, dedicated nav station aft to starboard with BG electronics and 12V computer/AIS setup. Molded overhead, teak‑veneered furniture bases, mica countertops, good natural light and ventilation via ports and overhead hatches. Upholstery and interior wood in very good condition.

Aft stateroom / head

Centerline pedestal berth, ample locker and drawer storage, ensuite head to port with Jabsco manual toilet, vanity, and shower to remote sump.

Climate / comfort

Reverse‑cycle Marine Air conditioning: 7,000 BTU forward, 16,000 BTU aft, with single raw‑water pump and digital controls. Multiple 12V fans, ONN Roku TV, Sony Bluetooth stereo with internal/external speakers, and dehumidifier draining to forward shower sump.

Galley

• U‑shaped galley to port with:
• Force 10 three‑burner gimbaled propane stove with oven and remote solenoid shutoff.
• Goldstar microwave.
• Stainless steel sink with hot/cold water.
• Top‑loading icebox compartments repurposed as dry storage (original refrigeration decommissioned; raw‑water intake now used for watermaker).
• 12V Dometic cooler at nav desk for primary refrigeration.
• New fixtures in both galley and heads (2022).

Communications and connectivity

• Satellite internet: Starlink Performance Gen 2, professionally mounted in 2025, providing high‑bandwidth connectivity for remote work and cruising.
• Onboard computer: Dedicated 12V computer at nav desk powering AIS and USB outlets; left on continuously in normal operation.

Water systems and watermaker

• Potable water: Three polyethylene tanks totaling 147 gallons, automatic 12V pump, hot water via 11‑gallon Whale heater (AC and engine‑heated).
• Heads: Two Jabsco manual toilets (new 2022) plumbed to two holding tanks (~45 gallons total) with macerators and deck pump‑out fittings. Fresh‑water flush only; raw‑water intakes removed/glassed over to eliminate odors.

Watermaker

Schenker Zen 30 reverse‑osmosis watermaker (rated 8 gph; observed ~6 gph at ~6 bar), installed 2025 with dedicated raw‑water intake under galley sole and extensive documentation. System pickled May 2026; 5 µm filter replaced at that time and activated carbon filter scheduled for replacement at recommissioning. Detailed operating, flushing, and pickling procedures are included in the onboard manual for new owners.

Upgrades 

• BG electronics suite (2020).
• Bow thruster (2022) and new heads/hoses/fixtures (2022).
• Solar array and Victron controller (2017).
• Mack mainsail (2024) and cover (2025).
• Starlink Performance Gen 2 (2025).
• Schenker Zen 30 watermaker (2025), pickled May 2026.
• New alternator (2026), starter (2025), and 4 Lifeline GPL‑4DL AGM house batteries (2026).

Dimensions and capacities

• LOA: 40 ft 8 in
• LWL: 37 ft 10 in
• Beam: 13 ft 10 in
• Draft: 5 ft 4 in wing keel
• Displacement: 20,611 lbs
• Ballast: 6,700 lbs
• Sail area: 875 sq ft (approx.)
• Fuel: 50 gallons in welded aluminum tank (Ezell Industries)
• Fresh water: 147 gallons in three polyethylene tanks
• Holding: approx. 45 gallons (two tanks)

Mechanical and propulsion

• Engine: Yanmar 4JH2‑TE, 4‑cyl, turbocharged diesel, 62 hp, freshwater‑cooled.
• Reported hours: 1,939 on original meter plus 1720 on replacement (approx. 3659 total).
• Last serviced June 2026.
• New/rebuilt alternator (2026) and new starter (2025).
• Drive: Conventional shaft drive with three‑blade bronze fixed propeller, stainless shaft, bronze P‑strut, PYI PSS dripless shaft seal.
• Exhaust: Wet exhaust with fiberglass muffler; hoses replaced and in good condition.
• Bow thruster: Sleipner EX95 external 24‑V bow thruster (2022) with dedicated batteries and Noco Genius charger

Electronics and navigation

• Primary chartplotter: B&G Zeus 3 12" color multifunction display with integrated GPS and radar.
• Radar: B&G 36‑nm color radar.
• Instruments: B&G Triton 2 displays for depth/speed and wind; SailSteer functionality with wireless remote autopilot control.
• Autopilot: B&G autopilot driving chain‑linked rudder shaft, with wireless remote.
• VHF / AIS: Standard Horizon Matrix AIS/GPS at nav station with RAM3 remote mic at helm and Uniden handheld VHF; AIS data integrated with electronics and computer.
• Compass: Ritchie PowerDamp 5"
• Electronics suite is a 2020‑era installation, professionally mounted and in excellent working order.E

Generator and AC power

• Generator: Northern Lights three‑cylinder Yanmar‑powered diesel in sound‑insulated enclosure, approx. 231 hours.
• Serviced March 2026
• Dedicated start/stop panel; acoustic box available but currently stowed.
• Shore power: Twin 30‑amp shore inlets with approved cables, polarity indicator, galvanic isolator.
• Inverter/charger: Xantrex Freedom XC Pro Marine 2000 with monitor/control panel.

Electrical and energy systems

• House bank: Four Lifeline GPL‑4DL 210 Ah AGM batteries (new 2026) for house/inverter.
• Start/thruster batteries: One Group 24 start battery; two Group 34 AGM thruster batteries (new 2022).
• Solar: Two LG 350 W panels (700 W total) with Victron SmartSolar charge controller (2017).
• Chargers: Xantrex Freedom XC Pro for house, Noco Genius Gen Pro 10x2 dedicated to thruster bank