I'd like to poll some folks out there that have a Hunter 260 but have also had a heavier fixed keel boat or had some considerable time spent on a heavier boat. I currently have a Hunter 25.5 and the boat is stable. The heavy full fixed fin keel really adds to the performance under heavier winds. She just digs in and doesn't get upset at 20 mph winds. But, I always ponder upgrading and the 260 with a wheel is ideal for me in terms of layout, comfort, overnighting and so much more flexible with the mast raising system and swing keel. I had a 240 swing keel though and it was too tender in heavier winds. It got annoying when I'd have a puff come along and everyone in the boat would get wide eyed as the boat would heel dramatically in response. I don't want that and I also don't always want to reef every time the winds are over 15 mph as I don't have to worry about that with my 25.5 now. So what have your experiences been with a 260 versus a heavier fixed keel boat? Does the boat move when someone simply crosses the cockpit? Is it comparable to the tenderness of the 240? Any comments would be appreciated.
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Pete
260 vs fixed keel
We've had a 260 with the water ballast for 3 years. Great for towing and it's care free when sailing in shallows. BUT, the boat if very tender. If there's any type of gust, it wants to round up. It doesn't "dig in" like a fixed keed boat. Goes from 0degrees or heel to 30 in no time flat making people and stuff migrate to the leeward side asap.
We've had a 260 with the water ballast for 3 years. Great for towing and it's care free when sailing in shallows. BUT, the boat if very tender. If there's any type of gust, it wants to round up. It doesn't "dig in" like a fixed keed boat. Goes from 0degrees or heel to 30 in no time flat making people and stuff migrate to the leeward side asap.
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alan
Have you considered a 260 keel (aka 270)?
I have a 26 and have sailed a w/b 260 and keeled 260. The keel version is much less tender. alan
I have a 26 and have sailed a w/b 260 and keeled 260. The keel version is much less tender. alan
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Doug L
Trailer = Tender
I own a Hunter 26 water ballast, and it is a wonderful boat for the room in the cabin & cockpit, shallow draft, and the ability to trailer it and launch & retrieve it without a lift. However, it is a tender boat, heeling easily when the gusts come up. After owning several trailer boats, swing keel and water ballast, I have reached the conclusion that anything that will go on a trailer is tender, you trade one for the other. If shallow draft and ease of launch is not a concern, go with the keel. The Hunter 270, or the new 27 may be good choices, or a seaward 26 RK. As for myself, the shallow draft & trailerability is more important than the ability to stand up in a blow.
I own a Hunter 26 water ballast, and it is a wonderful boat for the room in the cabin & cockpit, shallow draft, and the ability to trailer it and launch & retrieve it without a lift. However, it is a tender boat, heeling easily when the gusts come up. After owning several trailer boats, swing keel and water ballast, I have reached the conclusion that anything that will go on a trailer is tender, you trade one for the other. If shallow draft and ease of launch is not a concern, go with the keel. The Hunter 270, or the new 27 may be good choices, or a seaward 26 RK. As for myself, the shallow draft & trailerability is more important than the ability to stand up in a blow.
Fair trade-off
Currently I have a 1999 H260 water ballast boat. Prior to that, a MacGregor 26 swing keel (1990 wb, Sailboat, not the motor sailor that they sell now). My keel boat experience has been on 26 to 50 foot boats, and I sail on 26 foot keeled Thunderbirds quite often. The H260 is a bit less stable than a keeled boat due to its ballast not being carried as low. It is much more stable than the Mac26. As on all sailboats, you compensate by manning the main sheet and reefing. The advatages of trailerability and ability to access thin water are, for me, a fair trade-off. Fair winds, Tom
Currently I have a 1999 H260 water ballast boat. Prior to that, a MacGregor 26 swing keel (1990 wb, Sailboat, not the motor sailor that they sell now). My keel boat experience has been on 26 to 50 foot boats, and I sail on 26 foot keeled Thunderbirds quite often. The H260 is a bit less stable than a keeled boat due to its ballast not being carried as low. It is much more stable than the Mac26. As on all sailboats, you compensate by manning the main sheet and reefing. The advatages of trailerability and ability to access thin water are, for me, a fair trade-off. Fair winds, Tom
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toomas
you can't have it all
I've been sailing for quite many years with fixed keel boats 26-30-33-40 feet and now I've turned to the h26 with the ability to enter really shallow waters. In our archipelagoe with 10s of thousands of islands, some big ones and most of them small I had to try several times before I could find a good natural harbour - with the h26, it's never any problem. And now I can easily find an island for the night that is "mine". And of course, when it gets gusty you have to work with the main sheet as well as with the tiller or you can stay an extra day at that beautiful solo place. After I got the 9.9 Mercury I don't miss the keel boats anymore. Good winds - sail, otherwise stay or use the 9.9. toomas
I've been sailing for quite many years with fixed keel boats 26-30-33-40 feet and now I've turned to the h26 with the ability to enter really shallow waters. In our archipelagoe with 10s of thousands of islands, some big ones and most of them small I had to try several times before I could find a good natural harbour - with the h26, it's never any problem. And now I can easily find an island for the night that is "mine". And of course, when it gets gusty you have to work with the main sheet as well as with the tiller or you can stay an extra day at that beautiful solo place. After I got the 9.9 Mercury I don't miss the keel boats anymore. Good winds - sail, otherwise stay or use the 9.9. toomas
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Tim
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Mark
Really the 260 is just the shot
I spend a fair bit of time delivering yachts of all shapes and sizes but I certainly enjoy getting out on my 260. Yes they can be "tender" but at the end of the day the aspect of simply putting her on the trailer and towing her wherever I wish to sail is fantastic let alone having a caravan in between destinations is beaut. Get some funny looks tho pulling into a caravan park with the 260 in tow. Some of the larger yachts I have delivered in the 50-60' range are also "tender" given the wrong conditions. As I have mentioned many times before on this forum..."sail flat and sail fast" Reef early and sail safe for you and the rigging!
I spend a fair bit of time delivering yachts of all shapes and sizes but I certainly enjoy getting out on my 260. Yes they can be "tender" but at the end of the day the aspect of simply putting her on the trailer and towing her wherever I wish to sail is fantastic let alone having a caravan in between destinations is beaut. Get some funny looks tho pulling into a caravan park with the 260 in tow. Some of the larger yachts I have delivered in the 50-60' range are also "tender" given the wrong conditions. As I have mentioned many times before on this forum..."sail flat and sail fast" Reef early and sail safe for you and the rigging!
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