Experiences Shared:
There were plenty of opportunities on my trip to have all sails out: down the Biscayne Bay to Key Largo, to Channel #5 (passing underneath the Key’s Overseas Hwy) to the Atlantic, all the way to Key West, and through the Florida Bay to Cape Sable, up the Gulf from Mexico to Marco Island, from South Naples to Fort Myers and finally, if you like, crossing the Lake Okeechobee.
Security Measure:
Used to protected water sailing security concerns come up when sailing or motoring the open.
Who wants imaging falling off and seeing the boat sailing or motoring away? It needs some security measure.
I used a ½” dock line, tide securely on pedestal and mast, hooked up a 6’ tether ribbon with quick release and attached it to an offshore automatic inflatable PDF with integrated harness.
Also I made sure when motoring that the emergency engine stop line was hooked up too.
The jack line became a good hold-on when going down in the cabin to pick something out of the fridge, etc., the tether followed.
It worked well out for me to have this security support especially by working on the main or when being on the anchor locker.
Sailing Experience:
It showed that my Hunter 260 needing constant rudder correction to maintain the course in about 10 knots of wind. Every wave or small change in wind intensity seemed to make the boat drifting off course. I reefed the main at about 10 knots of wind and it got a bit better; the boat speed was about 6 Miles/H.
There was no way to get relieve by use my wheel brake in the hope to let it go for a moment; it seemed the rudder might be too small for that boat in that circumstances. Thought it would be more relaxing when sailing in the open as experienced.
Well, there were some equipment I wished to have, like an autopilot and a windlass. But the H260 is not really designed as a cruising boat. I wished also a nice, separated berth, but the huge table with sit option for 10 people showed, that the designer had something else in mind.
There were plenty of opportunities on my trip to have all sails out: down the Biscayne Bay to Key Largo, to Channel #5 (passing underneath the Key’s Overseas Hwy) to the Atlantic, all the way to Key West, and through the Florida Bay to Cape Sable, up the Gulf from Mexico to Marco Island, from South Naples to Fort Myers and finally, if you like, crossing the Lake Okeechobee.
Security Measure:
Used to protected water sailing security concerns come up when sailing or motoring the open.
Who wants imaging falling off and seeing the boat sailing or motoring away? It needs some security measure.
I used a ½” dock line, tide securely on pedestal and mast, hooked up a 6’ tether ribbon with quick release and attached it to an offshore automatic inflatable PDF with integrated harness.
Also I made sure when motoring that the emergency engine stop line was hooked up too.
The jack line became a good hold-on when going down in the cabin to pick something out of the fridge, etc., the tether followed.
It worked well out for me to have this security support especially by working on the main or when being on the anchor locker.
Sailing Experience:
It showed that my Hunter 260 needing constant rudder correction to maintain the course in about 10 knots of wind. Every wave or small change in wind intensity seemed to make the boat drifting off course. I reefed the main at about 10 knots of wind and it got a bit better; the boat speed was about 6 Miles/H.
There was no way to get relieve by use my wheel brake in the hope to let it go for a moment; it seemed the rudder might be too small for that boat in that circumstances. Thought it would be more relaxing when sailing in the open as experienced.
Well, there were some equipment I wished to have, like an autopilot and a windlass. But the H260 is not really designed as a cruising boat. I wished also a nice, separated berth, but the huge table with sit option for 10 people showed, that the designer had something else in mind.
Attachments
Last edited:
