I am about to order a new 306, love the looks of the boat and think it will generally be my wife and I that sail it with another couple on ocation, read that only when unable to avoid, for overnighting. Will gladly take others on day sails. The 326 is actully about 10,000 dollars more than the 306. Same beam, same classification as to seaworthyness (is this a word?), but obviously considerably more room below. The 326 seems "big" in a negative way to me, more room out front, harder to dock etc. - only sailing 240's these days but don't want to find I wished I had a 326 in a year or two. Any input would be appreciated, I do think the 306 is the right boat, convince me if it isn't! I will like it later when I am not losing moneyb on a trade! I will only use the boat July and August, sailing from Mystic CT.
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BBF
Ed: You have a bad disease BBF (big boat fever). We went from a H'25 to the H'31 and it is only slightly more difficult to dock. The biggest problem with a larger boat seems to be the sail handling in my opinion. Once you get a knack for the docking thing it's a breeze. I don't think there will be that much difference between the two. Once you get over the basic price thing and you can afford the extra two feet you should do it. Most people don't seem to ever want to go smaller unless the purchased some big old slow boat. They always look to that next size. Getting another case of BBF within a year or two of buy a NEW boat is very expensive. Buy big and be happy!
Ed: You have a bad disease BBF (big boat fever). We went from a H'25 to the H'31 and it is only slightly more difficult to dock. The biggest problem with a larger boat seems to be the sail handling in my opinion. Once you get a knack for the docking thing it's a breeze. I don't think there will be that much difference between the two. Once you get over the basic price thing and you can afford the extra two feet you should do it. Most people don't seem to ever want to go smaller unless the purchased some big old slow boat. They always look to that next size. Getting another case of BBF within a year or two of buy a NEW boat is very expensive. Buy big and be happy!
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Bill Saint
Go Big
I have a 310, previously a '94 Hunter 30. I'd go as big as possible, those extra two feet will mean a lot about six months after you purchase! Docking the 32 will be no problem and nearly identical to the 30'. The best advice someone gave me was to always buy as large as you possibly can - I've gone from a Hunter 25.5, to 26, 30 and now 310 - next will be the 356!
I have a 310, previously a '94 Hunter 30. I'd go as big as possible, those extra two feet will mean a lot about six months after you purchase! Docking the 32 will be no problem and nearly identical to the 30'. The best advice someone gave me was to always buy as large as you possibly can - I've gone from a Hunter 25.5, to 26, 30 and now 310 - next will be the 356!
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Eric Drayman
Think?
The price of the BOAT is not the issue. If you finance the 10,000 it will work out to very little per month. The issue becomes the cost of ownership. Price to keep the boat is based on length and mast hight. A good example is where I keep my boat. For all boats under 30 the price per foot is $63. All boats over 30 are $68. Mast storage is $12 per foot. The 290 has a 33 foot mast. I do not know what the 320 has. The numbers go up if you are looking into inside storage. Brewers in our are is even worse. Go for the 290(306) she is a great boat.
The price of the BOAT is not the issue. If you finance the 10,000 it will work out to very little per month. The issue becomes the cost of ownership. Price to keep the boat is based on length and mast hight. A good example is where I keep my boat. For all boats under 30 the price per foot is $63. All boats over 30 are $68. Mast storage is $12 per foot. The 290 has a 33 foot mast. I do not know what the 320 has. The numbers go up if you are looking into inside storage. Brewers in our are is even worse. Go for the 290(306) she is a great boat.
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Bill O'Donovan
Consider this
I completely agree with all three postings, and bigger does indeed lead to pricier. But consider this: Few people ever say, "Gee, I wish I had bought a boat two feet shorter."
I completely agree with all three postings, and bigger does indeed lead to pricier. But consider this: Few people ever say, "Gee, I wish I had bought a boat two feet shorter."
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Bob
Size Matters
We bought a new 320 last year and looked at the 29.5, but since I am 6'3, the headroom issue made all the difference. The 320 was initially a bit bigger than we should have bought, given our experience, but darn glad we have it now. Lots of room and now it doesn't seem quite so big. JUST RIGHT!! s/v Never Say Never
We bought a new 320 last year and looked at the 29.5, but since I am 6'3, the headroom issue made all the difference. The 320 was initially a bit bigger than we should have bought, given our experience, but darn glad we have it now. Lots of room and now it doesn't seem quite so big. JUST RIGHT!! s/v Never Say Never
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David Foster
"Just Right" may exist
There was a great article in one of the mags last year on this issue. Operating and maintenance costs tend to go up with the volume of the boat (cube of the length) so you should think on the order of 20-30 percent higher costs. Complexity is another issue (bigger boats often have more things to fail, and maintain), as is ease of everything. I can man-handle the sail and dock lines, anchor, and even the hull of my h27 while docking in a way that would never work on the h34's I have seen. If you are sure of your use, then go with the size that feels right to you! Joanne and I are very happy with our '77 h27 for dayseailing with others, and cruising with just the two of us. David Lady Lillie
There was a great article in one of the mags last year on this issue. Operating and maintenance costs tend to go up with the volume of the boat (cube of the length) so you should think on the order of 20-30 percent higher costs. Complexity is another issue (bigger boats often have more things to fail, and maintain), as is ease of everything. I can man-handle the sail and dock lines, anchor, and even the hull of my h27 while docking in a way that would never work on the h34's I have seen. If you are sure of your use, then go with the size that feels right to you! Joanne and I are very happy with our '77 h27 for dayseailing with others, and cruising with just the two of us. David Lady Lillie
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