Hello Hunter trailer sailors.
My wife and I actively cruise a Hunter 23.5 out of Seattle. Wonderful boat in many ways.
We started to look into upgrading to a Hunter 26 or 260, but would probably have to also upgrade our towing vehicle, here in “$6-per-gallon-of-gas” land….
So I have been researching.
I found a very informative website that clearly states the ACTUAL scale weight of a 260 (without “stuff”) was 4420 lbs., well over the advertised 3000. Here is a link; it is under “Tips>>>Towing Tips”:
I also communicated recently with another seller of a 26 (not 260) who, as I was concerned, actually took the boat and trailer to be weighed. Total of boat and trailer was 5200 lbs. Again, way over the stated 2500 lbs. from Hunter (assuming the trailer is under 2700 lbs., which it definitely is….). He stated he had “some gear” in the boat, but not anywhere near the amount of stuff that would be needed to make the advertised weight from Hunter accurate.
Now I am even worried about my 23.5. Hunter states 2000 lbs. unballasted. Is it?
I am researching now where in the Seattle area I can go to have mine weighed. (Actual, real weight.) I will post that result if and when I can do this (anyone have ideas of a scale near Seattle)?
So. I have owned 3 Hunter sailboats in my life (2 of which were moored), and in general, they have all exceeded our expectations.
But the misleading displacements for these trailed boats is not commendable business practice. This is a serious safety issue, as well as very expensive and inconvenient repairs if you blow out your tranny. I would urge everyone out there to consider this and please be safe. And anyone who has actually weighed their Hunter trailerable is welcome to add to this thread….
My wife and I actively cruise a Hunter 23.5 out of Seattle. Wonderful boat in many ways.
We started to look into upgrading to a Hunter 26 or 260, but would probably have to also upgrade our towing vehicle, here in “$6-per-gallon-of-gas” land….
So I have been researching.
I found a very informative website that clearly states the ACTUAL scale weight of a 260 (without “stuff”) was 4420 lbs., well over the advertised 3000. Here is a link; it is under “Tips>>>Towing Tips”:
I also communicated recently with another seller of a 26 (not 260) who, as I was concerned, actually took the boat and trailer to be weighed. Total of boat and trailer was 5200 lbs. Again, way over the stated 2500 lbs. from Hunter (assuming the trailer is under 2700 lbs., which it definitely is….). He stated he had “some gear” in the boat, but not anywhere near the amount of stuff that would be needed to make the advertised weight from Hunter accurate.
Now I am even worried about my 23.5. Hunter states 2000 lbs. unballasted. Is it?
I am researching now where in the Seattle area I can go to have mine weighed. (Actual, real weight.) I will post that result if and when I can do this (anyone have ideas of a scale near Seattle)?
So. I have owned 3 Hunter sailboats in my life (2 of which were moored), and in general, they have all exceeded our expectations.
But the misleading displacements for these trailed boats is not commendable business practice. This is a serious safety issue, as well as very expensive and inconvenient repairs if you blow out your tranny. I would urge everyone out there to consider this and please be safe. And anyone who has actually weighed their Hunter trailerable is welcome to add to this thread….
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