Looking at a 2005 Hunter 27 (first year production) with the 9 HP motor, no traveler, and no in-mast furling. Would appreciate comments on whether 9 Hp is really enough for this boat. The new models all have 14 HP as standard equipment. Also a bit concerned that no traveler is installed for the mainsheet. As you can tell the boat is bare bones equipped. Should I steer away from this early model because of potential problems or poor performance or would I be a happy owner? I plan to purchase and sail on a large lake in Oklahoma or Texas. THANKS!!!!
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Hi Steve, nine horsepower should be ...
adequate for a lake sailing boat (I'm assuming that it is an inboard Yanmar?). Is in-mast furling important to you? If not, then a traditional main is just fine. Does the boat have a boom vang? If so then the traveler is a nice plus but not mandatory. Terry
adequate for a lake sailing boat (I'm assuming that it is an inboard Yanmar?). Is in-mast furling important to you? If not, then a traditional main is just fine. Does the boat have a boom vang? If so then the traveler is a nice plus but not mandatory. Terry
H27 (2005)
We have sailed our 2006 H27 for 2 years now. We looked at a 2005 several times before we ordered our boat. I don't really have any knowledge of the 9 HP motor, but I'm guessing it would be fine for lake sailing since you won't have to worry about tidal currents. It would probably be best to make that judgement based on a sea trial. The 14 horse propels the boat at about 5 - 5.5 knots at cruising RPM if you want a point of reference. Both I and the broker we purchased the boat from considered the in-mast furling option to be overkill for a 27-foot boat. We don't find the standard mainsail to be difficult to handle since it came with lazy jacks that catch the sail. It isn't difficult to reef either. The traveller takes up a lot of room in the cockpit. Its primary purpose seems to be skinning and bruising shins. Sail trim seems to be its secondary purpose. Since the boat does have a boom vang, I wouldn't be too worried about it unless you really like to fuss with sail trim in minute detail. You'll probably find the cockpit more enjoyable without it. I doubt we would miss it. The only things I would point out: 1. The 2006 and newer boats do have portlights in the hull, which made a big difference in the amount of light down below; they also reduced the "tupperware" feeling you get inside the boat. 2. You will want to check the wood structure supporting the aft cabin mattress for mildew - on our boat, the wood structure was raw plywood that I later painted with exterior-grade paint. 3. I would also just watch the cabin roof where the hood slides because it rubs against the gel coat. We eventually will install stainless slides for the hood to slide on. If you're just using this as a big daysailer, you'll probably be happy. But if you plan to spend nights on the boat, you might want the version that has all the cruising kit (electric cooler, butane stove, toilet, etc).
We have sailed our 2006 H27 for 2 years now. We looked at a 2005 several times before we ordered our boat. I don't really have any knowledge of the 9 HP motor, but I'm guessing it would be fine for lake sailing since you won't have to worry about tidal currents. It would probably be best to make that judgement based on a sea trial. The 14 horse propels the boat at about 5 - 5.5 knots at cruising RPM if you want a point of reference. Both I and the broker we purchased the boat from considered the in-mast furling option to be overkill for a 27-foot boat. We don't find the standard mainsail to be difficult to handle since it came with lazy jacks that catch the sail. It isn't difficult to reef either. The traveller takes up a lot of room in the cockpit. Its primary purpose seems to be skinning and bruising shins. Sail trim seems to be its secondary purpose. Since the boat does have a boom vang, I wouldn't be too worried about it unless you really like to fuss with sail trim in minute detail. You'll probably find the cockpit more enjoyable without it. I doubt we would miss it. The only things I would point out: 1. The 2006 and newer boats do have portlights in the hull, which made a big difference in the amount of light down below; they also reduced the "tupperware" feeling you get inside the boat. 2. You will want to check the wood structure supporting the aft cabin mattress for mildew - on our boat, the wood structure was raw plywood that I later painted with exterior-grade paint. 3. I would also just watch the cabin roof where the hood slides because it rubs against the gel coat. We eventually will install stainless slides for the hood to slide on. If you're just using this as a big daysailer, you'll probably be happy. But if you plan to spend nights on the boat, you might want the version that has all the cruising kit (electric cooler, butane stove, toilet, etc).
More Ponies can't swim faster in the current
They will help against wind and waves though. In-mast furling on a 27, you really want that headache? With a vang, the only time you'll want a traveller is lite air heading upwind and rigging something for those occassions is easy. If you want to race then maybe.
They will help against wind and waves though. In-mast furling on a 27, you really want that headache? With a vang, the only time you'll want a traveller is lite air heading upwind and rigging something for those occassions is easy. If you want to race then maybe.
traveler
I tend to use my traveler a lot more in heavy air than light air. A great way to control weather helm in puffs, if you know what you're doing. In SF bay waters, I wouldn't want to go out without a traveler.
I tend to use my traveler a lot more in heavy air than light air. A great way to control weather helm in puffs, if you know what you're doing. In SF bay waters, I wouldn't want to go out without a traveler.
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