This is my first post. I am seriously close to purchasing a 240. I have looked at as many different trailer sailors as I can find. I want a boat that my wife and one son and I can enjoy day sailing as well as short over night trips. I do not want too be married to a slip but want to be able to haul the boat to many different spots. My question on the 240 is how hard is it really to launch at a standard boat launch? I have read so many different stories, I can't tell whats real any more. I plan to pull my boat with a Dodge Ram 1500, so pulling should not be a problem. Please give me the straight poop.
240 launching
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There is no Standard Ramp
Each has it's own quirks but generally the easiest are the steepest ones. The shallow ones reqire you to go much further back but with the tounge extension on the trailer those are easy too. You'll get the hang of it real quick.
Each has it's own quirks but generally the easiest are the steepest ones. The shallow ones reqire you to go much further back but with the tounge extension on the trailer those are easy too. You'll get the hang of it real quick.
Launching the H-26
I have the H-26 which is just a bit larger version of the 240. After one or two launches you will have the launching down to a science. I have not needed the tounge extension on the trailer. Just be a Type A Personality with making sure that everything is watched over. Rudder, engine, ballast tanks,etc. This past Saturday I just forgot to raise the rudder as I started out of the water. The scraping hurt my ego more than the boat. The trick is in raising and lowering the mast. The first time, it was a bit awkward to say the least. I cheated, went on line and asked if anyone in our local club would stop by our place and walk me through it. Someone did. The person you buy the boat from should take the time and walk you through. There are some issues with keeping the stay turnbuckles aligned properly. Other than that, I can lower the mast myself, but find that raising is a bit easier with someone giving it a push off the stern cradle. There is a checklist in the owners manual that is good, but it is really helpful to have an experienced person show you the ropes. We are trailering this week out of our permenant slip on Cave Run Lake in Kentucky and heading to a larger lake this weekend for a five day sail. This is the joy of trailer sailor. Freedom... Best of luck Mark
I have the H-26 which is just a bit larger version of the 240. After one or two launches you will have the launching down to a science. I have not needed the tounge extension on the trailer. Just be a Type A Personality with making sure that everything is watched over. Rudder, engine, ballast tanks,etc. This past Saturday I just forgot to raise the rudder as I started out of the water. The scraping hurt my ego more than the boat. The trick is in raising and lowering the mast. The first time, it was a bit awkward to say the least. I cheated, went on line and asked if anyone in our local club would stop by our place and walk me through it. Someone did. The person you buy the boat from should take the time and walk you through. There are some issues with keeping the stay turnbuckles aligned properly. Other than that, I can lower the mast myself, but find that raising is a bit easier with someone giving it a push off the stern cradle. There is a checklist in the owners manual that is good, but it is really helpful to have an experienced person show you the ropes. We are trailering this week out of our permenant slip on Cave Run Lake in Kentucky and heading to a larger lake this weekend for a five day sail. This is the joy of trailer sailor. Freedom... Best of luck Mark
trailering 240
this is my story
Yes, no standard launch. I have never had trouble launching so far after ironing out the bugs!!! I have trailers upto 6-7 hours away, 1000 islands, newport RI, cape cod, long island etc. Just got back from a week at buzzards bay (3.5 hrs away). Tow and lauch with a mini van for the past three years without a problem if, check the tides and use the extention as needed, call around and get info on the ramp, harbor masters, town, state paved launches are a dream. Original had a major problem with the trailer as they made the bunks to low so the boat was being pulling up with all the weight on the center board, thus no matter what type of guide i installed to center the boat the weight on the center board would drive it off center and bend the guide as i winched it up, a lot of force. Once i raised the side bunks up 1.5" the boat comes on easily with a simple center guide (copied from another post, thanks) every time, even when the ramp or current is cocking the boat. There is still weight on the center board by approx 0.25-0.5". Hope your trailer is set up better than mine was. Pull the boat out enough for the water to drain on the ramp, as all the weight is too much for the trailer, remember to have the center board cleated before you lauch and have fun. The faster you lauch the longer it takes, take your time and all is fine.
this is my story
Yes, no standard launch. I have never had trouble launching so far after ironing out the bugs!!! I have trailers upto 6-7 hours away, 1000 islands, newport RI, cape cod, long island etc. Just got back from a week at buzzards bay (3.5 hrs away). Tow and lauch with a mini van for the past three years without a problem if, check the tides and use the extention as needed, call around and get info on the ramp, harbor masters, town, state paved launches are a dream. Original had a major problem with the trailer as they made the bunks to low so the boat was being pulling up with all the weight on the center board, thus no matter what type of guide i installed to center the boat the weight on the center board would drive it off center and bend the guide as i winched it up, a lot of force. Once i raised the side bunks up 1.5" the boat comes on easily with a simple center guide (copied from another post, thanks) every time, even when the ramp or current is cocking the boat. There is still weight on the center board by approx 0.25-0.5". Hope your trailer is set up better than mine was. Pull the boat out enough for the water to drain on the ramp, as all the weight is too much for the trailer, remember to have the center board cleated before you lauch and have fun. The faster you lauch the longer it takes, take your time and all is fine.240 trailering
My first boat was a 240 that I had for 3 years. It is an excellent choice for a trailerable boat. After a few launches, I could be in the water in about 40 minutes after arriving and have launched and retrieved it solo many times. Having a checklist to follow when launching and retriveing is very helpful, and keeps you from making the embarassing mistakes like dragging your rudder up the boat ramp (done that). Your pickup will help you launch, as you can back in a little farther when necessary. A little trick for keeping the turnbuckles straight when raising the mast, pull them upright and tape them to the lifelines with a little electrical tape before raising the mast. Every 240 or 260 I've seen has bent turnbuckles from binding when raising. The only drawback that I had with my 240 is that the trailer axle was a 3500 lb axle. It is probably overloaded by the time you add all your stuff to the boat. I trailered mine alot, probably put 20,000 miles on it and it went thru 2 sets of tires. All in all, I loved the boat.
My first boat was a 240 that I had for 3 years. It is an excellent choice for a trailerable boat. After a few launches, I could be in the water in about 40 minutes after arriving and have launched and retrieved it solo many times. Having a checklist to follow when launching and retriveing is very helpful, and keeps you from making the embarassing mistakes like dragging your rudder up the boat ramp (done that). Your pickup will help you launch, as you can back in a little farther when necessary. A little trick for keeping the turnbuckles straight when raising the mast, pull them upright and tape them to the lifelines with a little electrical tape before raising the mast. Every 240 or 260 I've seen has bent turnbuckles from binding when raising. The only drawback that I had with my 240 is that the trailer axle was a 3500 lb axle. It is probably overloaded by the time you add all your stuff to the boat. I trailered mine alot, probably put 20,000 miles on it and it went thru 2 sets of tires. All in all, I loved the boat.
Easy handling
Yes! the 240 is really easy to handle. We sailed our 240 for five years and we use maximun 45 minutes for launching or retreiving without any hurry. Take a look at the Photo forum, I put some pictures there showing how to improve the trailer, the next summer I will complete that with small ropes from the aft of the side bunks down to the c.b. guides for better performance in side winds. Have a nice time in your new 240! we are very satisfied with our boat.
Yes! the 240 is really easy to handle. We sailed our 240 for five years and we use maximun 45 minutes for launching or retreiving without any hurry. Take a look at the Photo forum, I put some pictures there showing how to improve the trailer, the next summer I will complete that with small ropes from the aft of the side bunks down to the c.b. guides for better performance in side winds. Have a nice time in your new 240! we are very satisfied with our boat.
Launching the H240
As Mark mentioned the 240 and 260 are very similar. Check out this website that has a rigging/launch checklist and other stuff that may be helpful. http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/index.html
As Mark mentioned the 240 and 260 are very similar. Check out this website that has a rigging/launch checklist and other stuff that may be helpful. http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/index.html
Trailering the 240 alone
I have trailered my 240 alone for 5 years with very few problems. After getting to the lake, I take my time rigging and loading the boat, watching some of the idoits with the power boats put in. Usually that is good for a few laughs. I have always used the tongue extension. Ii makes it easier to handle especially when you can just float it off. I use a 50' 1/2" line off the bow and tied to the trailer. I have the side supports or guides at the front of the trailer and when retriving the boat, forces the boat to the center of the trailer. Also on the back of the trailer I have the high pvc poles which don't allow much movement left and right, so the boat stays in the center. The trailer manufacturer says the hitch should be disconnected from the car and pushed back until you drop the pin in. How inconvenient can that be. The trailer had a socket that the bar "slid into". In order to use it properly the car had to be disconnected. My sawzall took care of the socket. To pull the extension out, I pull the pin, chock the tires, and drive. I leave it extended until after I load the boat. Then just reverse the process. The stays on the side. To keep them from getting bent and before I did this bent several, is to use a bungee cord hooked into the turnbuckles and looped over the lifeline and back down to the other one. Since doing it this way they stay straight. Also I use 9-12" bungee balls(wal-mart) to tie up the wires on the mast when trailering. These are cheap and work great. For the sail, main and jib, I made larger versions using shock cord and tennis balls, and they float.
I have trailered my 240 alone for 5 years with very few problems. After getting to the lake, I take my time rigging and loading the boat, watching some of the idoits with the power boats put in. Usually that is good for a few laughs. I have always used the tongue extension. Ii makes it easier to handle especially when you can just float it off. I use a 50' 1/2" line off the bow and tied to the trailer. I have the side supports or guides at the front of the trailer and when retriving the boat, forces the boat to the center of the trailer. Also on the back of the trailer I have the high pvc poles which don't allow much movement left and right, so the boat stays in the center. The trailer manufacturer says the hitch should be disconnected from the car and pushed back until you drop the pin in. How inconvenient can that be. The trailer had a socket that the bar "slid into". In order to use it properly the car had to be disconnected. My sawzall took care of the socket. To pull the extension out, I pull the pin, chock the tires, and drive. I leave it extended until after I load the boat. Then just reverse the process. The stays on the side. To keep them from getting bent and before I did this bent several, is to use a bungee cord hooked into the turnbuckles and looped over the lifeline and back down to the other one. Since doing it this way they stay straight. Also I use 9-12" bungee balls(wal-mart) to tie up the wires on the mast when trailering. These are cheap and work great. For the sail, main and jib, I made larger versions using shock cord and tennis balls, and they float.
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