I'm looking to buy a used 240 or 260. Any one out there purchased one and wish they had the other? Why? Background; Lake Winnebago, WI. The WB and kick up rudder/center board would be good. Lake has taken its fair share of props in my stinkpot days. A fixed keelboat would not be good on this lake. The 260 would be at the top of my budget. My biggest reason to go here would be to go for the wheel. Looking for a week ender. Would sail mostly with wife and two kids (4 and 4 months). Would have guests for day sails. Not looking for a high performance racer, rather a comfortable cruiser. Advise?
- Status
Experience with 23.5
I don't think you will go wrong with either boat. Go with what you can find the best deal on and feel comfortable towing. I have a 23.5 and two kids, ages 11 and 15. We have enjoyed lake sailing on the boat for several years. We've taken it to the coast a couple of times. My wife likes it best when it lives on a bouy at the lake all summer and we don't have to step the mast each time. We get a lot more sailing that way. Its a little cramped for sleeping when the kids get a little bigger, so we camp ashore and sail during the day. Happy hunting!
I don't think you will go wrong with either boat. Go with what you can find the best deal on and feel comfortable towing. I have a 23.5 and two kids, ages 11 and 15. We have enjoyed lake sailing on the boat for several years. We've taken it to the coast a couple of times. My wife likes it best when it lives on a bouy at the lake all summer and we don't have to step the mast each time. We get a lot more sailing that way. Its a little cramped for sleeping when the kids get a little bigger, so we camp ashore and sail during the day. Happy hunting!
decision
It is ahrd choosing the boat. If you plane to stay on board overnight alot, youmay want to consider the 260 for room and comfort. Remember the kids do grow. You can only get the wheel on the 260. Hunter has built less than 5 260's with the tiller as the wheel is a big plus. As for the 240, it does have a larger cockpit. Food for thought. Andy, do you sail on Kerr Lake or Jordan outside of Raleigh? Crazy Dave Condon
It is ahrd choosing the boat. If you plane to stay on board overnight alot, youmay want to consider the 260 for room and comfort. Remember the kids do grow. You can only get the wheel on the 260. Hunter has built less than 5 260's with the tiller as the wheel is a big plus. As for the 240, it does have a larger cockpit. Food for thought. Andy, do you sail on Kerr Lake or Jordan outside of Raleigh? Crazy Dave Condon
one other thing
Either boat makes a good camper. Once, my wife and I stopped where I thought it would be quiet but the kids who I knew as babies decided to party beside the River at Goshen Pass. Time to move the boat. My wife stayed on board as I informed her of a very quiet place. True to my word, we slept very well that night. When the Mrs. woke up, she found out why it had been very quiet. I parked the boat in the middle of a country grave yard. Crazy Dave Condon
Either boat makes a good camper. Once, my wife and I stopped where I thought it would be quiet but the kids who I knew as babies decided to party beside the River at Goshen Pass. Time to move the boat. My wife stayed on board as I informed her of a very quiet place. True to my word, we slept very well that night. When the Mrs. woke up, she found out why it had been very quiet. I parked the boat in the middle of a country grave yard. Crazy Dave Condon
Bob, Go for the 260.
Bob, my wife and I just bought a 1995 H26 this summer. The extra room over the 24' makes it much roomer with our grandkids. The gally is also larger and with more storage. Important with little guys. I find the tiller better suited than the wheel because with the stern seats and tiller extension I can sit high enough to watch over the whole boat with 1 or 2 kids at my feet or side
Bob, my wife and I just bought a 1995 H26 this summer. The extra room over the 24' makes it much roomer with our grandkids. The gally is also larger and with more storage. Important with little guys. I find the tiller better suited than the wheel because with the stern seats and tiller extension I can sit high enough to watch over the whole boat with 1 or 2 kids at my feet or side
Why I have a 240
Why I have a 240, 1. Nice on the budget from a slip standpoint, insurance standpoint, cost standpoint. (In my marina, the slip difference alone saved almost $70.00 / month) 2. Yes, beleive it or not, the cockpit is larger (our primary reason to buy this boat over any other brand!) 3. It can be single handed easier (especially around the dock). 4. Finally, (and irritating even to me), what is with that wheel steering on the 260??! Haven't they straightened that out yet? Anyway, if you opt for a 240, get stern seats and an extension for the tiller, that way you can sit in them and steer, fun. Your won't do that with a wheel...
Why I have a 240, 1. Nice on the budget from a slip standpoint, insurance standpoint, cost standpoint. (In my marina, the slip difference alone saved almost $70.00 / month) 2. Yes, beleive it or not, the cockpit is larger (our primary reason to buy this boat over any other brand!) 3. It can be single handed easier (especially around the dock). 4. Finally, (and irritating even to me), what is with that wheel steering on the 260??! Haven't they straightened that out yet? Anyway, if you opt for a 240, get stern seats and an extension for the tiller, that way you can sit in them and steer, fun. Your won't do that with a wheel...
My Choice
I have had both the 240 and the 260. For what it is worth, get the 260 with the kids aboard. More room-period. The cock pit size is not the much different and with the wheel you can add a table. My wife and I like both, but now have move to H290 for more room for just two of us. (three new boats in three years)
I have had both the 240 and the 260. For what it is worth, get the 260 with the kids aboard. More room-period. The cock pit size is not the much different and with the wheel you can add a table. My wife and I like both, but now have move to H290 for more room for just two of us. (three new boats in three years)
$, room, and the enclosed head
Hi Bob, I looked at both these before I bought the 240. For me it was the $ right away as the budget was limited. i was very impressed at what they did to the cockpit and to utilize space on the 240, so i focused more on the 240. For my wife, she liked the 260's enclosed head and the standing headroom so she lobbied me awhile on the 260, but decided, with me, that it wasn't worth the extra $ and hassle of trailering anything larger than a 240 (a whale on its own when you're highway sailing). We were trading in our h23 so the goal was to get the new WB with all the new, fancy setup features, so that trailering wasn't as hairy or long an experience. We figured that if we go any further than the 240, trailering is right back where we started and out of the question. So the next step for us if we ever tire of our 240 and decide that we have too much $ laying around, we will get a slip and a boat even bigger than the 260 (like a 290) and do it right. Can't speak for the wheel, never used one before. Also, if memory serves, the 260 fore cabin layout is same as the h26, where its a big u-shaped couch and a fixed table that you have to crawl over to get to the fore berth - seems they could have designed it a bit better. Both of us did not like the big couch at all. But it can be changed with a little re-engineering, as I saw someone did before in a previous post. Brian
Hi Bob, I looked at both these before I bought the 240. For me it was the $ right away as the budget was limited. i was very impressed at what they did to the cockpit and to utilize space on the 240, so i focused more on the 240. For my wife, she liked the 260's enclosed head and the standing headroom so she lobbied me awhile on the 260, but decided, with me, that it wasn't worth the extra $ and hassle of trailering anything larger than a 240 (a whale on its own when you're highway sailing). We were trading in our h23 so the goal was to get the new WB with all the new, fancy setup features, so that trailering wasn't as hairy or long an experience. We figured that if we go any further than the 240, trailering is right back where we started and out of the question. So the next step for us if we ever tire of our 240 and decide that we have too much $ laying around, we will get a slip and a boat even bigger than the 260 (like a 290) and do it right. Can't speak for the wheel, never used one before. Also, if memory serves, the 260 fore cabin layout is same as the h26, where its a big u-shaped couch and a fixed table that you have to crawl over to get to the fore berth - seems they could have designed it a bit better. Both of us did not like the big couch at all. But it can be changed with a little re-engineering, as I saw someone did before in a previous post. Brian
If you can afford it go for the 260.
We have a 1997 26 that has had a wheel conversion added. The best boat we've ever owned. Since you sail on Lake Winnegago, I can see where yo definatly want the WB with the shallow draft. Think long term. Just like one of the previous responses, three boats in three years. Boat size creep is a factor to concider, and you never get your money back when you sell a boat. One of the big reasons we went to the 26, besides the trailerability, is the headroom. After several hours or a couple of days, that crouching down thing gets old. The enclosed head is another great feature you will appriciate. Buy used and you can save youself alot of money. Good luck!
We have a 1997 26 that has had a wheel conversion added. The best boat we've ever owned. Since you sail on Lake Winnegago, I can see where yo definatly want the WB with the shallow draft. Think long term. Just like one of the previous responses, three boats in three years. Boat size creep is a factor to concider, and you never get your money back when you sell a boat. One of the big reasons we went to the 26, besides the trailerability, is the headroom. After several hours or a couple of days, that crouching down thing gets old. The enclosed head is another great feature you will appriciate. Buy used and you can save youself alot of money. Good luck!
agree with D. Ebert....
Bob, Go with the 260. We had both just like Mr. Ebert, and the same thing happened, we went up to the 260 the next year. If for no other reasons than the galley and the head (with a built-in marine head) oh, and the wheel. As far as towing goes I find that the 260 tows BETTER than the 240 cause of the tandem axle trailer. Good luck. Tom M.
Bob, Go with the 260. We had both just like Mr. Ebert, and the same thing happened, we went up to the 260 the next year. If for no other reasons than the galley and the head (with a built-in marine head) oh, and the wheel. As far as towing goes I find that the 260 tows BETTER than the 240 cause of the tandem axle trailer. Good luck. Tom M.
$11,000 for a wheel and 2 feet?
I had to make the same decision 1 1/2 years ago. I just could not justify spending over $11,000 more for 2 feet, a door instead of curtains for the head and a wheel. First of all, I prefer the feel of the tiller, especially on a smaller boat. Maintanance is also easier, no cables to worry about. Plus a tiller just folds out of the way when not in use. The 240 is a great boat to move and even to sleep in. I have slept in ours with my wife and three children. I looked at a 260 to upgrade to (just had our fourth child) and don't know what everyone is talking about the extra room. The galley takes up most of the extra two feet on the one side and the enclosed head takes up the extra space on the other side. The table is in the way as mentioned by another one here and is awkward to get around and move and has to be turned forward for the V- berth to funtion. My V-berth has curtains for privacy and I don't need to do anything to make the bed. Plus some talk about standing headroom in the 260. I admit I am very tall (6'5") but unless you are 5'4" there is no standing headroom in either boat. Unless you open up the companioway and put the cover on, but that works for both 240 and 260. Most of my sailing is done in the cockpit and there the 240 is bigger. So, again, what is the extra $11k for? By the way, since I do have a forth child, my 240 is getting a bit smallish now and I am selling mine. Look in the HOW Sale adds. It is in perfect condition, used 1 1/2 seasons only and stored indoors for the winter. Just another way to save $$$. I am looking for an older used 28 or 31, since I have a slip and the mountain lake I sail on is plenty deep. If you have any more questions about the decision, feel free to email me direct: busche@qwest.net Let us know what you decide, And happy sailing, Dan
I had to make the same decision 1 1/2 years ago. I just could not justify spending over $11,000 more for 2 feet, a door instead of curtains for the head and a wheel. First of all, I prefer the feel of the tiller, especially on a smaller boat. Maintanance is also easier, no cables to worry about. Plus a tiller just folds out of the way when not in use. The 240 is a great boat to move and even to sleep in. I have slept in ours with my wife and three children. I looked at a 260 to upgrade to (just had our fourth child) and don't know what everyone is talking about the extra room. The galley takes up most of the extra two feet on the one side and the enclosed head takes up the extra space on the other side. The table is in the way as mentioned by another one here and is awkward to get around and move and has to be turned forward for the V- berth to funtion. My V-berth has curtains for privacy and I don't need to do anything to make the bed. Plus some talk about standing headroom in the 260. I admit I am very tall (6'5") but unless you are 5'4" there is no standing headroom in either boat. Unless you open up the companioway and put the cover on, but that works for both 240 and 260. Most of my sailing is done in the cockpit and there the 240 is bigger. So, again, what is the extra $11k for? By the way, since I do have a forth child, my 240 is getting a bit smallish now and I am selling mine. Look in the HOW Sale adds. It is in perfect condition, used 1 1/2 seasons only and stored indoors for the winter. Just another way to save $$$. I am looking for an older used 28 or 31, since I have a slip and the mountain lake I sail on is plenty deep. If you have any more questions about the decision, feel free to email me direct: busche@qwest.net Let us know what you decide, And happy sailing, Dan
Thank You
Thank you all for your help. Dan B. Right now my wife is pushing for the enclosed head. As far as the extra $, she thinks money is for spending! (Typical) I must admit the wheel does sound great. Now where do I find a good 260 near Wisconsin?
Thank you all for your help. Dan B. Right now my wife is pushing for the enclosed head. As far as the extra $, she thinks money is for spending! (Typical) I must admit the wheel does sound great. Now where do I find a good 260 near Wisconsin?
Here's a few
Although none are in the Great Lakes area our classifieds show about half a dozen or more from $29k to $35k.
Although none are in the Great Lakes area our classifieds show about half a dozen or more from $29k to $35k.
Check out Crows Nest Yachts
in Woodbury, MN. I am sure I saw a 260 from highway 94. Don't remember if it had a wheel or not. Give um a call.
in Woodbury, MN. I am sure I saw a 260 from highway 94. Don't remember if it had a wheel or not. Give um a call.
it's all in what your use to
Hey the wheel is grest the tiller is great to.. it's all in what you get use to. Some say the wheel just doesn't have the same trim feel as does the tiller due to the linkage. One nice thing about the tiller, it'll sure clear the cockpit of dead weight when things get interesting.. give me a shout @ sdilling@sover.net we know of 26 of possible interest..
Hey the wheel is grest the tiller is great to.. it's all in what you get use to. Some say the wheel just doesn't have the same trim feel as does the tiller due to the linkage. One nice thing about the tiller, it'll sure clear the cockpit of dead weight when things get interesting.. give me a shout @ sdilling@sover.net we know of 26 of possible interest..
Crazy Dave
Hi Dave! I sail on Kerr Lake most of the time. I have a 23.5 that I moor at Presbyterian Point (next to Henderson Point)all summer. I sail a Tanzer 16 with the Carolina Sailing Club also. See you on the water--and probably at the boat show next month at the fairgrounds. Andy
Hi Dave! I sail on Kerr Lake most of the time. I have a 23.5 that I moor at Presbyterian Point (next to Henderson Point)all summer. I sail a Tanzer 16 with the Carolina Sailing Club also. See you on the water--and probably at the boat show next month at the fairgrounds. Andy
Bob, Look at H 26's
Bob, Hunter 26' boats produced in the early to mid 1990's are basically identical to the 260's on the inside. They can be bought for 15 to 20k and the first owner probably added MANY accessories that are included. You would have to buy these on a new boat. The outboard is easily 2 to 3 thousand bucks. We just bought such a boat in the middle of that range, in mint shape with every accessory. We had to go 1000 miles from home to get it. A very reasonable condition for such a boat. Ray
Bob, Hunter 26' boats produced in the early to mid 1990's are basically identical to the 260's on the inside. They can be bought for 15 to 20k and the first owner probably added MANY accessories that are included. You would have to buy these on a new boat. The outboard is easily 2 to 3 thousand bucks. We just bought such a boat in the middle of that range, in mint shape with every accessory. We had to go 1000 miles from home to get it. A very reasonable condition for such a boat. Ray
Andy Jones
Andy; I first introduced the 23.5 internationally and feel free to pick my brains. I had quite a few looks going down the interstate with it but the boat was a success. Crazy Dave Condon
Andy; I first introduced the 23.5 internationally and feel free to pick my brains. I had quite a few looks going down the interstate with it but the boat was a success. Crazy Dave Condon
Go for the 26/260
Andy, Like many of the other people on this post, I owned a 23.5 (bought from Crazy Dave) and a 26. Either boat will meet your needs on Lake Winnebago. We sailed ours on the Mississippi. If your wife wants the enclosed head, you might as well suck it uo now and get the bigger boat. The woman in my household whineed about the head for 3 years. Actually, it gets old waking up the kids in the v-berth to get to the porta-potti. It is much more pleasant to overnight in the 26. There is more headroom, and the boat is more stable. Crow's Nest Yachts in Woodbury has 2 1996 vintage 26's, and they probably have tillers too. If you don't want to spring for a new boat, go used. In some ways, I think the older 26 is a little better. If you decide to go to Door County or Lake Michigan, the 26 will be more comfortable. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon" Two Rivers, WI 54241
Andy, Like many of the other people on this post, I owned a 23.5 (bought from Crazy Dave) and a 26. Either boat will meet your needs on Lake Winnebago. We sailed ours on the Mississippi. If your wife wants the enclosed head, you might as well suck it uo now and get the bigger boat. The woman in my household whineed about the head for 3 years. Actually, it gets old waking up the kids in the v-berth to get to the porta-potti. It is much more pleasant to overnight in the 26. There is more headroom, and the boat is more stable. Crow's Nest Yachts in Woodbury has 2 1996 vintage 26's, and they probably have tillers too. If you don't want to spring for a new boat, go used. In some ways, I think the older 26 is a little better. If you decide to go to Door County or Lake Michigan, the 26 will be more comfortable. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon" Two Rivers, WI 54241
Sit in the boat with the kids.
Hi Bob, We just attended the Mpls MN. boat show and went wondering which boat should we buy. I went there thinking the 260 was for me. Although my kids 1 and 5 seemed to enjoy the 240 more so. Reason for this I believe to be is that the 240 has a more level playing field with a curtains. The hatch in the aft of the boat allows for children to pass through it. The wheel is neat but we will be adding Auto pilot to ours for hands off sailing. That beats it I think. Also the 3000lb boat plus the trailer puts you out of your mini van and into a bigger SUV. So for us it looked like more then just the 11,000 dollars. Are thinking here is that will sail this boat for several years on different lakes and then eventually move up to a 340 or bigger and slip it. My Insights Brad
Hi Bob, We just attended the Mpls MN. boat show and went wondering which boat should we buy. I went there thinking the 260 was for me. Although my kids 1 and 5 seemed to enjoy the 240 more so. Reason for this I believe to be is that the 240 has a more level playing field with a curtains. The hatch in the aft of the boat allows for children to pass through it. The wheel is neat but we will be adding Auto pilot to ours for hands off sailing. That beats it I think. Also the 3000lb boat plus the trailer puts you out of your mini van and into a bigger SUV. So for us it looked like more then just the 11,000 dollars. Are thinking here is that will sail this boat for several years on different lakes and then eventually move up to a 340 or bigger and slip it. My Insights Brad
- Status