2004 H260

[David Hoch]

Folks,I'm purchasing a new 260 next month - what sorts of things should I look for (if any) when I do the sea trial?I have had a Mac 26D for 8 years and am getting the Hunter for increased room while still keeping it trailerable.My plan is to get a new Honda 9.9 with electric tilt and remote controls at the wheel steering.Thanks in advance for your help,David Hoch

 

[George H260]

New H260

I have a 2003 H260 and learned a lot from the archives before picking up the boat. Spend a couple of days going through the archives and you'll avoid many problems.Have the dealer install the E-Z steer connection between rudder and motor. Works great.Install amidships cleats for spring lines.Look at having the dealer install a remote throttle. Because of the high freeboard, docking this puppy with your head down in the engine well is not fun!Make the dealer rig/unrig the boat in your presence. Getting the roller/fuller unhooked is the hardest part. You'll also find that unpinning the mast takes some finesse. The first few times were frustrating until I worked out a system.What are your plans for a radio? I installed VHF with WAM remote mike but decided base station with handheld was a better idea.Close to West Marine/Boaters World? You probably have a lot of stuff from your previous boat, wait until the winter 50% off sales to buy the rest. The rudder on this boat is a weak point. Hunter knows it and is very responsive and customer friendly regarding any problems you may have. Probably lots more, but I'm sure you'll get additional opinions. See my site and others for additional ideas. http://webpages.charter.net/gkobernus/H260_web/default.html

 

[Tim2853]

E-Z steer connection?

E-Z steer connection between rudder and motor.

 

[Denis]

I agree with George plus...

The galley and Head water handpump never worked right. The dealer installed check valves but it fixed the problem for only a short while; got fed-up installed pressure system myself. I did have the rudder show a stress crack at the top and the dealer replaced it with unfortunately the same type which is a sorry design. The rudder pivot system is also a weak point; never seems to stay tight and when you do get it tigtht the rudder still flops sideways. The engine controls on the pedestal is definitely the way to go, and I also have remote electric start. The companionway hatch leaked from day one in the rain; dealer claims that's because the boat is designed to spend more time on the trailer than in the water???!!! (He recomendedto buy a hatch cover that he offers for 300 and some dollars!) I did fix the problem with foam weatherstriping. Overall the build quality is so-so. I have several corners where the air was not rolled out of the fiberglass, resulting in the gelcoat to pop and leave a hole. There is a notice to drain the seacock valves so that they don't freeze and crack in the winter (mine did) unfortunately my port seacock for the head is below the water line the starboard one for the galley is above the water line (makes lots of sense. Anyways the result is that I trap water in the port one when I close it. The notice instructs you to open the drain plug on the valve to empty it. Unfortunately my drain plug it pointed up!!! So as you can see the there are a lot of small aggravating things that should not be on a $30K+ boat. Otherwise I love the boat for its versatility and it does sail pretty well (won 3 races and one second place).

 

[Nancy16802]

Former Macs

WE moved up from a Mac in 2000 for the same reason more head room and more comfort. NO REGRETS. It's a little more complicated to rig than a Mac, but not much. There are more "systems" to learn. The electrical, head if you added one,elec. bilge pumps.Shake down: watch for water coming in, check the bilge, under v-berth and under table, under sink and head cabinets. Look aft in the battery compartment. Make sure the motor is runing well. It's harder to get it serviced with the remotes hooked up. Pump the water and head a lot to make sure they work. We had a problem like other H260's and eventually changed out the 2 sink pumps for Whale. Have the dealer install the radio antenna at the mast head.Sunbrella companionway cover is good in the desert. Well worth the $$ Keeps the sunn off the interior and sand out..Helps with the occaisional rain, too.

 

[Ken - Kerr Lake NC]

Wheel lock

In 2001 my wheel option did not include a wheel lock. If you plan on single handing installing this option is a must. Edson has a kit for this and it is not a lot of $. companion way canvas top is a great option if you plan on overnighting. duel batteries are another must.also have had many isues with the standard sink pumps. check valves need to be replaced every year. otherwise a great boat with plenty of room. good luck

 

[Tom2909]

Welcome to the family...

Here are a few things to check before accepting delivery...Check that the cables and electrical wiring to the motor are long enough to allow the motor to tilt up and turn side to side without restriction.Raise and lower the rudder to check that it is not binding.Look under the stern seat while operating the wheel back and forth and make sure the steering cables are running true through the blocks without any jumping or binding and that the cables are tensioned. Have the dealer show you how to adjust because the cables will stretch after the first season or so as they break in.Centerboard -- raise and lower. Also check that the turning block at the mast base is running fair and turning and is not clogged with caulk. Mark the upper and lower most positions on the control line for future reference.Go through the mast raising & lowering procedures complete with pinning and unpinning the mast step to make sure that it is all properly adjusted. Check the mast struts are straight when mast is up.Check that the trailer has brake fluid (mine was delivered without it!).Add ons -- Compass on the pedistal is a great feature, also the pedistal guard is a great handhold and place to attach gear.I previuosly had a 1990 Mac26s, and changed to the H260 in 1999.Fair winds,Tom

 

[David Hoch]

Thanks to ALL of you...

Thank you all for your responses - I know what to look for now. I'll be getting the motor out west here, so I won't be able to have the dealer hook it up.On another note - I learned of a 2005 H260 for sale by owner in So. Cal. Is there any worthwhile difference between a 2004 and a 2005? The Hunter Website doesn't seem to acknowledge that there ever was a 2005.