I notice that Hunter removed the 212 from their website so I assume the 216 is its replacement. Would the 216 be an appropriate boat for me if I am interested in an occasional overnighter with wife and two toddlers? I can't go much bigger because of towing and storage limitations. Or should I try to get a 212 that's still in inventory? I don't want to get a boat that's been previously owned.
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Different Boats
The 212 does have a small cabin whereas the 216 is a day sailor with a strage area under the deck. I have no idea what the respective prices are but I suspect what you are looking for is closer to the 212
The 212 does have a small cabin whereas the 216 is a day sailor with a strage area under the deck. I have no idea what the respective prices are but I suspect what you are looking for is closer to the 212
Jeff
As the current top trailerable dealer for Hunter Marine, I am going to stick my neck outon this one. You mentioned that you want to overnight in a sailboat with I assume wife and two children. Frankly speaking, I would tend to think the 212 interior would be to small for overnighting with four people inside. A consideration is going to the head at night partiuclayly with the two kids. I note limitations mentioned without the specfics. I believe the 212 would be cramped. Would you consider a 240 which I would strongly recommend. You should have a stocking dealer close to you that has one. IF not, contact Hunter Marine and they will tell you who does. Better yet, maybe someone who has a 240 that lives near you would be kind enough to show you thiers and even take you out. How about Guys? Keep me posted and if you need any other info, just get back with ole Crazy Dave on this forum
As the current top trailerable dealer for Hunter Marine, I am going to stick my neck outon this one. You mentioned that you want to overnight in a sailboat with I assume wife and two children. Frankly speaking, I would tend to think the 212 interior would be to small for overnighting with four people inside. A consideration is going to the head at night partiuclayly with the two kids. I note limitations mentioned without the specfics. I believe the 212 would be cramped. Would you consider a 240 which I would strongly recommend. You should have a stocking dealer close to you that has one. IF not, contact Hunter Marine and they will tell you who does. Better yet, maybe someone who has a 240 that lives near you would be kind enough to show you thiers and even take you out. How about Guys? Keep me posted and if you need any other info, just get back with ole Crazy Dave on this forum
Start them out daysailing
Four people (who are not seasoned cruisers) is too many for boats under 30 feet. If your familar is already used to canoe camping then they'll think any larger boat is luxurious. Certainly our 235 is much nicer than canoe or kayak cruising, but four folks on a 212, 235, or 240 is pretty cramped. I'd start them out day sailing and beach camping. You can also take the boat to lakes with campsites and have fun there. A smaller boat is easier to set up and tow and launch. It costs less so you can stay at a hotel with a dock on the coast. Unless your wife is an accomplished camper/ cruiser already, I'd start with a H170 and get busy daysailing, beachcruisng, and swimming. Then you might try some camp cruising and see if you want to move up to a H260 or H240 that will need a six cylinder tow vehicle.
Four people (who are not seasoned cruisers) is too many for boats under 30 feet. If your familar is already used to canoe camping then they'll think any larger boat is luxurious. Certainly our 235 is much nicer than canoe or kayak cruising, but four folks on a 212, 235, or 240 is pretty cramped. I'd start them out day sailing and beach camping. You can also take the boat to lakes with campsites and have fun there. A smaller boat is easier to set up and tow and launch. It costs less so you can stay at a hotel with a dock on the coast. Unless your wife is an accomplished camper/ cruiser already, I'd start with a H170 and get busy daysailing, beachcruisng, and swimming. Then you might try some camp cruising and see if you want to move up to a H260 or H240 that will need a six cylinder tow vehicle.
more specifics
All -- let me give some more specifics (bear with me). I don't envision doing much lake sailing -- I live 3 miles from the ocean and ocean sailing is really what I'm interested in. The only reason I would need to overnight is if we decide someday to get brave and sail to Catalina island, 20 miles away, stay there overnight and sail back the next day. I spose we could camp on the beach once we get there. I can't really get a 240 because of towing limitations and my driveway will barely fit something with an 8 foot beam. Given all this, what should I do. I do currently have an old 21 foot Mac, so we do get out with the family but its too tender to take the family out past the breakwaters. Maybe I should just stick to daysailing until I get a bigger two vehicle?
All -- let me give some more specifics (bear with me). I don't envision doing much lake sailing -- I live 3 miles from the ocean and ocean sailing is really what I'm interested in. The only reason I would need to overnight is if we decide someday to get brave and sail to Catalina island, 20 miles away, stay there overnight and sail back the next day. I spose we could camp on the beach once we get there. I can't really get a 240 because of towing limitations and my driveway will barely fit something with an 8 foot beam. Given all this, what should I do. I do currently have an old 21 foot Mac, so we do get out with the family but its too tender to take the family out past the breakwaters. Maybe I should just stick to daysailing until I get a bigger two vehicle?
Stick It Out, Doug
...with your Mac 21 until you get a larger tow vehicle. The Hunter 212 isn't listed as a current model. While it likely would give a room advantage to the Mac 21, it still wouldn't have the stability (other than better form stability) you'd want for sailing in the LA Harbor area and offshore which tends to fresh conditions and some nasty chop. Better to save your nickles for more tow umph and a water-ballasted 24 - type design. All this is IMHO, of course. Rick D.
...with your Mac 21 until you get a larger tow vehicle. The Hunter 212 isn't listed as a current model. While it likely would give a room advantage to the Mac 21, it still wouldn't have the stability (other than better form stability) you'd want for sailing in the LA Harbor area and offshore which tends to fresh conditions and some nasty chop. Better to save your nickles for more tow umph and a water-ballasted 24 - type design. All this is IMHO, of course. Rick D.
Rick summed it up well
kRickk's advice is good. Thanks Rick. You guys are very helpful on the forum and I am glad to see that. Crayz daveeeeeeeeee
kRickk's advice is good. Thanks Rick. You guys are very helpful on the forum and I am glad to see that. Crayz daveeeeeeeeee
Moving up
Doug, moving up to the 240 or even the 260 will open up a whole new world for you. I used to own a Venture 21 and wife was O.K. with it, but when we jumped to 26 feet, it was hard to go sailing without her. I loved this because I feel sailing should pull the family together. For now to help your small boat stay more stable, make sure the keel is locked down and you may want to have a new main sail made. If you want to chat, email me at obses4sail@aol.com and I will send you my phone number, or you can send me yours and I will spend my dime.
Doug, moving up to the 240 or even the 260 will open up a whole new world for you. I used to own a Venture 21 and wife was O.K. with it, but when we jumped to 26 feet, it was hard to go sailing without her. I loved this because I feel sailing should pull the family together. For now to help your small boat stay more stable, make sure the keel is locked down and you may want to have a new main sail made. If you want to chat, email me at obses4sail@aol.com and I will send you my phone number, or you can send me yours and I will spend my dime.
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