Boat Speed

[tgrass462]

We own and love our 1999 Hunter 260. It is a GREAT cruising boat. This summer we lived on the boat for 2-1/2 weeks with another couple on Lake Michigan and we are still very good friends.

So we love cruising in the boat, but I would like more boat speed. I am wondering what suggestions anyone has for increasing the boat speed of a Hunter 260:
Cunningham,
traveller,
larger jib,
jib tracks,
spinnaker
newer sails, etc
??????????????

Tracy
Wife of Tom Grass
Co-owner of Grasshopper III

 

[RichH]

If you dont already have the expertise or mastery of sail trim, suggest you start here rather than 'gizmos' to obtain a faster boat: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?51998/Sail Trim Users Guide

Once you 'master' sail trim, then its easy to determine which item will suit your personal and boat's needs for improvement measures.

That stated, nothing beats using a spinnaker for sailing downwind on smooth-water lakes in 'light' winds. Asymmetrical spinnakers are the easiest to use, especially if mounted to a 'free flying' furler system.

Hope this helps.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Tgrass462;

I introduced all the water ballast models due to my involvement and the one I loved the most is the 260. I always preached faster flatter with no heeling over 14 degrees thru sail trim to include reducing sail and/or letting the sheet lines out. With mastery of that, you will become a very good racer and I use to beat many some of whom you would be surprised with a boat out of the box. So my suggestion is to learn sail trim noting that max heel is 12 to 14 degrees. I would encourage you on the suggested A symmetrical Spinnaker. I have seen where some folks try to use the jib halyard and the spinnaker halyard however needs to be above the forestay and suggest that include the furler as well.

Crazy dave condon