I was at the Hunter dealer today looking at a 260 and a 280. While the 26 footer retractable keel is appropropriate for trailering, I liked the 28 footer size and amenities better. The dealer gave me the impression that trailering and launching a fixed keel like the 280 would be difficult at best. I was just wondering if any of you folks successfully trailer and launch a fixed keel Hunter. Thanks, Scott in White Bear Lake Minn
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Dakota Jim Russell
Got a 340 that I trailer
I've trailered and launched my Hunter 30 T for 5 years, and most recently trailer and launch my Hunter 340. In this region we have no boatyard to launch boats. Hence we all launch our own boats. Included in this are 2 Catalina 34s, 1 Hunter 340, 1 Hunter 336, 2 Catalina 32s, as well as a number of smaller boats. We also have a trailered C&C 40, but he uses a semi tractor to launch his. So if we can do that, a 26 or 28 is no problem at all. The trick is in the trailer. Our spare tire is mounted on the tongue. When launching, the tongue is dropped so the weight is on the spare tire. We then tricycle the trailer into the water using a 20,000 or 30,000# nylon strap. Sounds scary. What is holding your boat up when the marina launches it from a lift. Same strap though wider. Our launch is probably safer as the boat floats off the trailer. So trailer large boats is just a mind set, just as sailing in the ocean. There are tricks, but not complex ones . . . . I'll be happy to post pictures, or explain. Jim
I've trailered and launched my Hunter 30 T for 5 years, and most recently trailer and launch my Hunter 340. In this region we have no boatyard to launch boats. Hence we all launch our own boats. Included in this are 2 Catalina 34s, 1 Hunter 340, 1 Hunter 336, 2 Catalina 32s, as well as a number of smaller boats. We also have a trailered C&C 40, but he uses a semi tractor to launch his. So if we can do that, a 26 or 28 is no problem at all. The trick is in the trailer. Our spare tire is mounted on the tongue. When launching, the tongue is dropped so the weight is on the spare tire. We then tricycle the trailer into the water using a 20,000 or 30,000# nylon strap. Sounds scary. What is holding your boat up when the marina launches it from a lift. Same strap though wider. Our launch is probably safer as the boat floats off the trailer. So trailer large boats is just a mind set, just as sailing in the ocean. There are tricks, but not complex ones . . . . I'll be happy to post pictures, or explain. Jim
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Dakota Jim Russell
Pictures Posted
Scott I posted some pictures of our launch . . . under the heading of Trailer Launching Large Sailboats In the Photo Forum. Enjoy Jim
Scott I posted some pictures of our launch . . . under the heading of Trailer Launching Large Sailboats In the Photo Forum. Enjoy Jim
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Miles
Pretty cool Jim!
As a fellow 340 owner I'm amazed to see that you can trailer sail it. I'll never look at my boat the same way again! Do you unstep/restep the mast when you go longer distances? How does that work out? Is yours a shoal draft version? Thanks for the pictures...
As a fellow 340 owner I'm amazed to see that you can trailer sail it. I'll never look at my boat the same way again! Do you unstep/restep the mast when you go longer distances? How does that work out? Is yours a shoal draft version? Thanks for the pictures...
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nick
mast
you guys are great, thats a great job but I would really like to see how you go about stepping the mast any info or pictures would be great I have 290 hunter. nick
you guys are great, thats a great job but I would really like to see how you go about stepping the mast any info or pictures would be great I have 290 hunter. nick
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Scott Freeberg
Thanks Jim for Your Photos and Advice!
Thanks very much for the great trailering and launching photos Jim. I'm glad to see that it can be done as it may allow me to have a slightly larger Hunter boat than a smaller one with a retractable keel. While the photos make it appear simple, I'm sure you've had to perfect the technique over time. Thanks again. Scott
Thanks very much for the great trailering and launching photos Jim. I'm glad to see that it can be done as it may allow me to have a slightly larger Hunter boat than a smaller one with a retractable keel. While the photos make it appear simple, I'm sure you've had to perfect the technique over time. Thanks again. Scott
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Dakota Jim Russell
Stepping Mast on a 340
Had a Hunter 30T. Always dropped the mast and put it in a ware house for storage to keep it in good shape. After 5 years of doing this, the warehouse burned taking 5 sailboats, several motor homes, antique cars, etc. So now, we don't bother to put the 340 in a warehouse. We trailer the boat about 2 miles with the masts up . . . . We do this in convoy and only the first boat has trouble with wires. Seriously, the wires are buried in our area, so it is no problem. And we leave the boats out. After 6 winters, the 340 looks as good as the 30 did after 5 winters in storage. Winters are cold here, but snow is usually sparce. When we do drop the mast, we have a hydrolic hoist (such as those used by sign companies - in our case a roofing company) pull the masts. He usually charges $50 per boat, minimum of $100 per trip. Not too bad. Sorry to respond so slowly, but I was out of town.
Had a Hunter 30T. Always dropped the mast and put it in a ware house for storage to keep it in good shape. After 5 years of doing this, the warehouse burned taking 5 sailboats, several motor homes, antique cars, etc. So now, we don't bother to put the 340 in a warehouse. We trailer the boat about 2 miles with the masts up . . . . We do this in convoy and only the first boat has trouble with wires. Seriously, the wires are buried in our area, so it is no problem. And we leave the boats out. After 6 winters, the 340 looks as good as the 30 did after 5 winters in storage. Winters are cold here, but snow is usually sparce. When we do drop the mast, we have a hydrolic hoist (such as those used by sign companies - in our case a roofing company) pull the masts. He usually charges $50 per boat, minimum of $100 per trip. Not too bad. Sorry to respond so slowly, but I was out of town.
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