Deck access H26/260

[Fred]

Getting from the cockpit to the deck is somewhat of a challenge on these boats particularly as we get older. What ideas are out there for facilitating this I.e. Improved hand-holds? installing an extra step up to the deck?

I find getting down from the cabin roof back into the cockpit harder than getting up.

I have added some anti-slip tape to the "cup holder" surface that I use as a step. One thought I had was to add a "roll bar" across the companionway opening to serve as a hand rail. This would be similar to the poptop support but more stable and permanent. Perhaps made from 1 inch stainless tubing.

Any other ideas?

 

[rgranger]

What if you rigged one of the two jib halyards back to the cockpit... and slacked it before going forward. Then on your way back you can grab the halyard and use it as a support as you let yourself back down into the cockpit. Then once back in the cockpit take in the slack on the halyard.

??????

 

[Jackdaw]

For sure, in a desire to maximize the interior volume of the H26, Hunter sure made it hard to get around on the deck. The total lack of side decks and the high saloon roof (to give standing headroom in a 26 footer) make that challenge for a nimble person.

While I'm 54 and still possess a decent level of fitness and agility, I'm already thinking about how my future mobility will effect the boats I can sail on comfortably shorthanded. It might be time to think about a new (or new used) boat? Not everyone can or wants to spend for an AE28, but it helps to look at how design can effect sail-ability in later years.

Things like:
Fractional sailplan with non-overlapping headsail
Low sidedecks
ALL lines aft
Self tacking jib.
Diesel with cockpit controls
Electric halyard winch option
Very high initial and ultimate stability indexes

The ability manage the boat in ALL situations and points of sail has been designed in. You really don't have to leave the cockpit, but if you want to its easy and safe.

I have a 80 year old friend that sold his J105 and bought a AE28. He solos it. There are others as well that work well for older sailors, and this trend will continue as we get older as a group. Food for thought.

 

[Benny17441]

I know it is easier said than done but you may consider downsizing to another trailerable boat which has a walk around deck space. It may sound like a dumb idea just as "replacing a car because it has a flat tire" but being able to safely go up front or up to mast is a necessity. Perhaps nothing to be considered immediately but something to think for the future.

 

[Doug J]

Sobering thoughts at 59.

 

[Kermit]

Fred,
You probably already do this but I hang onto the boom when going up and down. Adding anti-slip seems like a great idea. At this point I don't have trouble getting up and down but my knees feel it by the end of the sail. I'm having trouble visualizing Rob's halyard suggestion and would love to understand. I'll be interested to see what other suggestions arise.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Jackdaw is correct on the original design of the 26 and now the 260. I am right handed and use to go up topsides on the starboard but the trick is stepping down. Kermit, I use to take the main halyard and attach it to either port or starboard base of the base stanchion and would grab to that to stabilize myself. When stepping down I use to step onto the cup holder which was strong enough as I am heavy. Years ago I did see a step hand fabricated on one side of a Hunter 26 secured at the corner area of the coaming and companionway walls which was not obtrusive and worked for the fellow but I did not go inside to see how it was permanently attached which worked for him

 

[rgranger]

... I'm having trouble visualizing Rob's halyard suggestion and would love to understand. ...

TARZAN...

Just kidding. I'm still figuring out my boat but I seem to have two unused jib halyards with sheaves exiting the front of the mast about 2/3 up. I hauled a spinnaker that I own up one and it seems to fit well so I will be rigging that.... but I still have an extra halyard at the front of the mast. I'll probably rig a storm jib there... But I'm thinking if you slacked it before going forward so that it hung as a big loop of line, you could hold that line as you came back to the cockpit and use it to let yourself down... holding the rope in one hand while you stepped down into the cockpit....of course holding the boom accomplishes the same thing..... but if you were sailing on any kind of a run... the boom would be swung out and hard to reach.

 

[Fred]

I would love to see pictures of an extra step. I had a thought of making a removable or fold-down step. My idea was to use the hangers that often are used for portable boarding ladders and then have little legs on the step that would rest on the cockpit seat. I suppose the step could also be fabricated such that it could also serve as a stowage compartment and/or additional cup holders.

I agree that coming back down into the cockpit is more difficult than stepping up.

Another thought was extending the life line stanchion and adding some type of hand-hold.

A fellow in our yacht club has a H270, he upgraded his bimini framing to use 1" stainless tubing so that it is sturdy enough to grab onto when climbing up and down.

The admiral is a bit less agile than I am plus she is short (5 ft.) which makes it tricky for her.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Rob, if that extra jib halyard is above the forestay and red, that is the jib halyard used for raising a jib but on your boat the CDI furler has it own internal jib halyard and the red one now is used for mast raising. Are you sure you want to plan a trip at this time.
The 270 hull and interior with the exception of a few details different inside are basically the same. I have seen on the 260 and 270 stainless steel tubing used for the bimini frame and when Grabed upon, it too has collapsed and would not suggest doing that. If anything install hand rails using stainless steel thru bolted. I am right handed and use to secure the main halyard to the base of the stanchion stbd. side and would grab hold of it to help pull up and for stability stepping with my right foot on the drink holder plate and then step up. coming down the same side I would use my left foot to step down reversing what I did holding onto the halyard and lifeline. I got down a routine and never thought anything of it afterwards.

 

[MaxinCalgary]

The camper top if left up really helps with climbing back into the cockpit. A few 26/260 have had a dodger made and you can build hand holds into the side.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Maxincalgary;
Here again I have seen that done and fail even using stainless steel framing. I use to be a dealer and was very much involved in that design (camper top) and finding a mfg. who is still making them orginially. Even a couple of dodgers added failed to as a result. Any handholds need to be secured to the boat, not the camper top or bimini. If a person does install a traveler, by moving the boom over helps. That is if the traveler is properly secured to the boat.

 

[Fred]

Dave.... I'm not sure I follow your comments regarding a traveller. Please elaborate.

 

[Doug J]

Something like this perhaps?

 

[rgranger]

Doug
Is that yours?

 

[Doug J]

No I have a H26. But I wonder if a traveler bridge like that would work on it. Might not be able to pop the top open though.

 

[rgranger]

I like that traveler design. I sailed a boat with one like that once and I felt it really helped with sail twist etc.

I'm still figuring my H26 out.... but I have a pole-structure that is used to suport the cabin canvas cover. That might work well for a hand grab. It might not be as strong as you like but one could create a similar structure out of more sturdy pipe.

 

[Doug J]

I got my H26 in May, and still haven't sailed it. Trailer was not reliable, had to refurbish it. Motor needed work, rudder re-build. Now my tow vehicle is out of commission. Won't be till next year now before I float her!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

the type of traveler posted earlier over the companionway will not work for two reasons... First you will not be able to raise up the entire companionway slider. Secondly, thru bolting poses a lot of extra work issues as there is a dead space between the ceiling liner and deck as the liner is held in place in areas with marine putty, thus hollow areas. The only places to put a traveler is to put one in front of the companionway or across the cockpit seats. As for across the cockpit seats, you have to step over the darn thing and is a knee killer.
I found over the years, a traveler was not needed thru sail control. Remember the mainsail is larger than the standard size for other manufacturers boats plus the spreaders are angled backwards; thus, you are able to close haul the jib in closer over others. With that said, I was able and proved a traveler was worthless and a waste of monies having learned thru sail control I could competitively race and win.

 

[bmorr]

Dave, what are your thoughts on tracks to adjust the jib for a H26. As a side note the boat preformed better with your advice on my mast rake.