Hunter 28 on the Great Lakes?

Tally Ho · Jul 21, 2024

I sailed a Hunter 280 on Lake Michigan as my first boat. Not sure how different the 280 is from the older 28, but I found the 280 to be a pretty fair boat for Lake Michigan (at least if you are careful about avoiding extreme weather).

I often sailed her a bit over-canvassed, but never felt like I was in danger of a broach or capsize.

Don’t let this photo make you think she was tippy…I was racing a buddy and was over-canvassed for the building winds…but I am smiling

I would think that the H28 will seem like a rock compared to a 17 or 18 footer.

Greg

Project_Mayhem · Jul 22, 2024

I sail an O'Day 25 out of Chicago in all kinds of conditions. I upgraded from a lightweight 19' boat for comfort. It sounds like you'll be watching conditions closely so an H28 would handle the Great Lakes nicely. THere's quite a few of them in my harbor. @Tally Ho's 280 is now in my marina

matts997 · Jul 22, 2024

The H280 was also my first sailboat, bought at age 65, which my wife and I had for 8 years. Given our age and inexperience sailing, we were cautious sailors then...I usually reefed when winds exceeded 15-18 knots. We mostly sailed on Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Not sure how these waters and weather compare on average to the Great Lakes, but we never felt unsafe in the 280, even the few times we encountered 3-4’ waves and 18-20 knot winds running against current. The 280 never felt tippy to me or my wife. We loved that boat and never regretted buying it.

Good luck on your purchase.

Matt

12boretrap · Jul 22, 2024

john6206 said:
Thanks for your input @Tally Ho!
I think if we matched your pic it might be the last time my wife gets on a boat.

Don’t get me wrong, we sailed the 170 like that pretty often, but we were youngerand stepping on the center board to get the pointy end back on top was part of the fun.

I did kinda love the way the water would pour over the rail and straight out the open transom.

12boretrap · Jul 22, 2024

john6206 said:
I've been debating moving up from my trailer sailer for about 25 years now. At 58 years old I'm thinking sooner might be better than later. We are seeking to secure a dock in Tawas Bay (Lake Huron).

We've looked at boats online (me obsessively, my wife occasionally). I tend to be drawn to older, "traditional" boats. There is a Vineyard Vixen and a Bombay Cutter for sale in Michigan right now that turn my head. My wife is in love with the Hunter 28. I've read all the reviews in the owner review section - but I have some questions.

Once you leave Tawas Bay, it's 100 miles to Port Huron without a lot of harbors or marinas in the middle. Going north it's 130 miles to Cheybogan, with several harbors along the path. How capable this boat is to handle the western shore of Lake Huron? At 7,000 lbs displacement and 3,000 lbs ballast it's not an insubstantial boat - I'm not sure what's giving me pause. It could be that it looks a lot like her trailer-sailer little sisters. As much as I love the 240, I'm not sure I'd make the 100 mile trip on one.

Another question about the H28.
We had a Hunter 170 - which I loved, my wife didn't love how "tippy" it was. By contrast the fixed keel Capri 18 makes her feel more comfortable. How "tippy" is the 28? (I guess I'd define "tippy" as how much it heels and how quickly it heels). Again the ballast and the displacement make me think it's going to stay on it's feel pretty well, but that high freeboard and the rounded hull remind me of my beloved 170.

I'm interested to hear your opinions,
Thanks in advance,

John

We own one of 2 that I know of 28’. hunters sailing out of Rochester NY on Ontario. Tippy is a word full of opinions! My wife’s opinion is anything less than a multihull is tippy. Yes the. 28 is tall and under full canvas can put the rail in the water but on the other hand we have been in 6 to 10‘ seas with her and lived to laugh at the fishermen who were chumming at the rail when we past them heading for the. Genesee River. Sail smart. Listen to the weather forecast. Shorten sail before you need to & yes the 3000lb Kiel cuts back on some of the nasty motion. All the best!

Occasional Heeler · Jul 22, 2024

I'm in my first season with a H280 and no regrets and wife loves it. Moved up from an H25. On the main page of this site you'll find many past comments on the H280 and most are positive. Go to 'Resources' and then drill down to find more info on any boat you're interested in. Happy hunting!

kappykaplan · Jul 22, 2024

Here's the direct link to the Hunter 280 Information Center:

Hunter resources, by model

hunter.sailboatowners.com

And here's the direct link to the Hunter 28 Information Center:

Hunter resources, by model

hunter.sailboatowners.com

Tally Ho · Jul 22, 2024

john6206 said:
Follow up question @matts997 and @Tally Ho

You said the 280 was your first boat. What prompted the upgrade? I’ve spoken to several people who LOVED sailing their Catalina 27s, but eventually got a 30 because of cabin size. Having camped in the 18 for 5 years, it’s hard to believe we’d outgrow the 28.

I‘m thinking if I’m still alive and sailing 10 years from now I’ll be ready for something like an O’Day Widgeon.

wife has already voted for a camper.

Well, I always had a 30-footer on my wish list. I found the boat I have now (O’Day 322) before I bought the H280, but it sold before I made an offer. The H280 was my “rebound” boat….literally the next boat aI looked at. :facepalm:

I liked the H280, and it was a great boat to learn on (it was my first sailboat). It was also very maintenance friendly…not a lot of teak to care for, newer (mine was a 1998), reliable Yanmar 2GM20F auxiliary. Imowned her for about 5 years.

But is also all plastic/fiberglass….interior a bit sparse and small.

So, when the guy that bought the O’Day 322 “out from under me” to let me know he moved and needed to sell the boat, I didn’t hesitate to make him a (low-ball) offer. He accepted and I owned a fleet for a short period of time (sold the H280 before the Admiral got too worked up.

Obsession (Hunter 280 -foreground) and Tally Ho (O’Day 322- background).

Greg

chp · Jul 26, 2024

I can give you a very recent story my wife and I had on our 280. I've had the boat for 2 years and have pushed into some weather to see what she'll handle. A few weeks ago we were on a 1 week trip from hamilton to Toronto Island to Niagara on the Lake back to Hamilton. On the trip across the lake from the island to Niagara weather was forecast to wind 10 knts and slight chance of storms that night. We noticed the sky building when we were half way across. On the VHF coast guard put out a squall watch shortly followed by a severe squall warning. Noticed a very nasty roll cloud which means gust front winds. Took down the sails and started motoring and battened down the hatches. Got into the rain gear just as the wind hit. And man did it hit. I was showing 30 with gust to 45 knts. The lake very quickly picked up to 6+ foot waves and very close together. I had at times at least a foot of water on the top of the bow getting thrown back at me across the deck. With the rain I couldn't see any more than 500 feet. The wind was so loud howling through the rigging you couldn't here yourself yell. I was pretty concerned about something breaking or loosing the engine or rudder as the seas and wind were trying their best to broach us, but there really wasn't any issues with the helm. She handled this crap with absolutely no problem. Not even a leak inside. I've been out in 28 knts of wind sailing and although challenging it sails fine with reefed sails. You do have to reef early with that huge mainsail. Good luck with your choice.

matts997 · Jul 26, 2024

John: We sold our 280 primarily to get more interior cabin space and to get a newer boat to (hopefully) minimize the need for so many frequent replacements and repairs. Even for 2 people, it’s a bit cramped inside on longer cruising trips and the sleeping arrangements are not the best. The V-berth is short for a 6 footer and the aft cabin is not easy to get in and out of when you’re 70 yrs old! Otherwise, a great boat as evidenced by the fact we happily sailed it for 8 years.

jssailem · Jul 27, 2024

chp said:
there really wasn't any issues with the helm. She handled this crap with absolutely no problem. Not even a leak inside.

Just supports the sailor's theory.

Most boats are as strong or stronger than the sailor's that sail them.

Reason, perhaps, for the often heard claim: "I'll abandon ship only when I have to step up into the life raft."

Project_Mayhem · Jul 30, 2024

chp said:
I can give you a very recent story my wife and I had on our 280. I've had the boat for 2 years and have pushed into some weather to see what she'll handle. A few weeks ago we were on a 1 week trip from hamilton to Toronto Island to Niagara on the Lake back to Hamilton. On the trip across the lake from the island to Niagara weather was forecast to wind 10 knts and slight chance of storms that night. We noticed the sky building when we were half way across. On the VHF coast guard put out a squall watch shortly followed by a severe squall warning. Noticed a very nasty roll cloud which means gust front winds. Took down the sails and started motoring and battened down the hatches. Got into the rain gear just as the wind hit. And man did it hit. I was showing 30 with gust to 45 knts. The lake very quickly picked up to 6+ foot waves and very close together. I had at times at least a foot of water on the top of the bow getting thrown back at me across the deck. With the rain I couldn't see any more than 500 feet. The wind was so loud howling through the rigging you couldn't here yourself yell. I was pretty concerned about something breaking or loosing the engine or rudder as the seas and wind were trying their best to broach us, but there really wasn't any issues with the helm. She handled this crap with absolutely no problem. Not even a leak inside. I've been out in 28 knts of wind sailing and although challenging it sails fine with reefed sails. You do have to reef early with that huge mainsail. Good luck with your choice.

And you didn't even hove to!

jssailem said:
Just supports the sailor's theory.

Most boats are as strong or stronger than the sailor's that sail them.

Reason, perhaps, for the often heard claim: "I'll abandon ship only when I have to step up into the life raft."

I'll second this. My 25 footer will handle more than I'm willing to on a day sail. The only thing that ever broke in a storm was a lower gudgeon on my externally mounted rudder. I didn't even realize it until something felt off on my next outing. I've used common sense and never had a worry about my rig breaking

Hunter 28 on the Great Lakes?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

.