Originally, I was looking at a 280 Hunter, but the used boat sold. Now I am focusing on a 29.5 (1995). I have read the comments posted, but would like additional advice, pro and con. Thanks.
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robert
love my 29.5
I have had the boat for 9yrs. It is a compromise that has served me well. Pros. great cockpit,sails well with early reefing.enough motor. still looks modern. strongly built. Great daysailer(easy to single hand)big enough to weekend on. Has more storage space than the 28. cons.Have to reef early,newer 29 have more room downstairs, few leaks that took few seasons to find. Each yr I appreciate the boat more,and find new virtues. Very good boat.
I have had the boat for 9yrs. It is a compromise that has served me well. Pros. great cockpit,sails well with early reefing.enough motor. still looks modern. strongly built. Great daysailer(easy to single hand)big enough to weekend on. Has more storage space than the 28. cons.Have to reef early,newer 29 have more room downstairs, few leaks that took few seasons to find. Each yr I appreciate the boat more,and find new virtues. Very good boat.
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Andy
Lover ours too
Agree with earlier post except reefing early. I think she handles big air better than boats her size and larger. Sometimes with the V-berth had a bulkhead, but like the openess. Things to check: does table drop to make bunk-not all models do. Does boat have skeg between prop and rudder, that was a model change about '94. Some came with double spreader mast, some single spreader-don't know that it makes any difference. Later models had cleats outside anchor locker (toe poppers). Make sure after lockers have sealed good and not leaked. Don't know what kind of sailing you will do in Colorado (is that where your boat will be?) but that could make a difference. Tell us what are you looking to do with the boat and we can tell you more pros and cons, and what options are must have, need, nice to have, or luxury.
Agree with earlier post except reefing early. I think she handles big air better than boats her size and larger. Sometimes with the V-berth had a bulkhead, but like the openess. Things to check: does table drop to make bunk-not all models do. Does boat have skeg between prop and rudder, that was a model change about '94. Some came with double spreader mast, some single spreader-don't know that it makes any difference. Later models had cleats outside anchor locker (toe poppers). Make sure after lockers have sealed good and not leaked. Don't know what kind of sailing you will do in Colorado (is that where your boat will be?) but that could make a difference. Tell us what are you looking to do with the boat and we can tell you more pros and cons, and what options are must have, need, nice to have, or luxury.
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Larry Grasse
I love ours
Of all the Boats I have sailed and owned the 29.5 for the $$ is a dream and also fast and easy to handle Ours is a 1994. We call her (Bob)so look me up and we can go sailing. South shore, she is pluged in all year. We use her as a Beach house.
Of all the Boats I have sailed and owned the 29.5 for the $$ is a dream and also fast and easy to handle Ours is a 1994. We call her (Bob)so look me up and we can go sailing. South shore, she is pluged in all year. We use her as a Beach house.
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Tim McCarty
I remember when
I was looking to move up. The local Hunter dealer (also located at my marina) did not recomend the 280 (said it sailed like crap...one man's opinion though, so all you 280 owners, please don't hang me!). I was actually looking at a 29 and a Hunter 30t, but, ended up making an offer on a 29.5. I got a great deal on a '94 model. My 29.5 has a whole lot of goodies and canvas, and, it sails up or downwind really well. Good luck with your decision.
I was looking to move up. The local Hunter dealer (also located at my marina) did not recomend the 280 (said it sailed like crap...one man's opinion though, so all you 280 owners, please don't hang me!). I was actually looking at a 29 and a Hunter 30t, but, ended up making an offer on a 29.5. I got a great deal on a '94 model. My 29.5 has a whole lot of goodies and canvas, and, it sails up or downwind really well. Good luck with your decision.
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Glen
Pros and cons
We sold our 29.5 this summer (and bought a Legend 35.5). Primarily we our-grew the boat with our two children. I think how you judge a boat is based on how you use it. We used it every week-end through spring, summer and fall and take some vacation time on it. We sail on the Great Lakes. The cockpit is great for cruising and entertaining but a bit too spacious for rough going in my opinion. The walk through transom / swim platform are fantastic as are the stern rail seats. The head and galley are well laid out. The V berth is like sliding into a slot - very low and climbing over the setee every time someone wants to get up to the V berth grew tiresome and certainly was starting to show wear and tear on the cushions. Ventilation was good and the cabin is really bright. I did not like the lack of a nav station - it makes placement of electronics like GPS tricky to make it user friendly. The sailing performance upwind and on a beam reach were good. I personally was very disapointed down-wind - basically with how far the spreaders are swept back it is at best a broad reach. I think a genneker is a must (we only had main and jib). For heavier winds we found it easy to balance with reefing the main.Overall it is a nice boat and roomy for the size. Good luck with your choice.
We sold our 29.5 this summer (and bought a Legend 35.5). Primarily we our-grew the boat with our two children. I think how you judge a boat is based on how you use it. We used it every week-end through spring, summer and fall and take some vacation time on it. We sail on the Great Lakes. The cockpit is great for cruising and entertaining but a bit too spacious for rough going in my opinion. The walk through transom / swim platform are fantastic as are the stern rail seats. The head and galley are well laid out. The V berth is like sliding into a slot - very low and climbing over the setee every time someone wants to get up to the V berth grew tiresome and certainly was starting to show wear and tear on the cushions. Ventilation was good and the cabin is really bright. I did not like the lack of a nav station - it makes placement of electronics like GPS tricky to make it user friendly. The sailing performance upwind and on a beam reach were good. I personally was very disapointed down-wind - basically with how far the spreaders are swept back it is at best a broad reach. I think a genneker is a must (we only had main and jib). For heavier winds we found it easy to balance with reefing the main.Overall it is a nice boat and roomy for the size. Good luck with your choice.
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Rick Macdonald
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Glen Simonds
Reply to Rick
Hi Rick, What I found was that with the cockpit being so wide or beamy, it is difficult to sit on the cockpit seats on the "high side" and brace yourself with your feet on the leeward seat unless you sit right where the helm console is. I prefer a narrower cockpit where it is easier to brace yourself if the boat is on a good angle or is bouncing around a lot. Just a personal preference I guess.
Hi Rick, What I found was that with the cockpit being so wide or beamy, it is difficult to sit on the cockpit seats on the "high side" and brace yourself with your feet on the leeward seat unless you sit right where the helm console is. I prefer a narrower cockpit where it is easier to brace yourself if the boat is on a good angle or is bouncing around a lot. Just a personal preference I guess.
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Rick Macdonald
Thanks, Glen
Yes, I know what you mean and I was wondering if it might be along those lines. The cockpit in my H23.5 is also very wide and quite shallow but there is a 2" high ridge on the floor that runs up the centre of the cockpit, but not all the way fore and aft. I'm 6' and to brace my foot on the leeward seat I have to slide my bum to the edge of the windward seat. But mostly I'm within reach of the ridge on the floor.
Yes, I know what you mean and I was wondering if it might be along those lines. The cockpit in my H23.5 is also very wide and quite shallow but there is a 2" high ridge on the floor that runs up the centre of the cockpit, but not all the way fore and aft. I'm 6' and to brace my foot on the leeward seat I have to slide my bum to the edge of the windward seat. But mostly I'm within reach of the ridge on the floor.
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Mike
Nothing but Fun
I definately recommend the H29.5. We recenly bought one and have been sailing it on most weekends here in San Francisco Bay. Though the Bay is famous or its diverse sailing conditions (even in the same day), I find that the boat can pretty much handle any situation so long as you are attentive and make the necessary adjustments. I for one appreciate the beamy cockpit and find pleasure in comparing the spaciousness of my 29.5 to other bigger boats. I think the true value is in the cost of buying one and maintaining it. Best - Mike
I definately recommend the H29.5. We recenly bought one and have been sailing it on most weekends here in San Francisco Bay. Though the Bay is famous or its diverse sailing conditions (even in the same day), I find that the boat can pretty much handle any situation so long as you are attentive and make the necessary adjustments. I for one appreciate the beamy cockpit and find pleasure in comparing the spaciousness of my 29.5 to other bigger boats. I think the true value is in the cost of buying one and maintaining it. Best - Mike
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