difference between hunter 26 and 260

[tracy]

what is the difference between a h260 and 26??

 

[Joe C.]

Differences I saw

The stern of the boat is the most noticeable difference. The 260 has a fold away swim latter and the rub rail sweeps continously from the side around the back. On the 26's the latter folds up to fill in the stern railing. Some model year 26's had 7/8" rail and some had 1" rail. Wheel steering is much less common on the 26. Wheel steering, while an option, is almost always found on the 260. I have been told that the boats sail pretty much identically. I will post a picture of my 260 stern taken from a "swimmer's view" Some really good deals can be had on used 26's where the owner just wants to move to a bigger boat.Hope this is some help,Joe C. in NCPS 1998 was the first model year with the new transom design.

 

[Ray Bowles]

The H26 models also have slightly more

sail area and slightly larger standing rigging. There also are some changes to the galley I think. Otherwise they are the same. The 26 can be bought for a lot less money.RayS/V Speedy.

 

[Tom Wootton]

Hatch, portlight, companionway

In the 26, the forward hatch is part of the "windshield"; in the 260 the windshield is all fixed, and a square hatch is mounted on the foredeck. Also the portlight for the aft berth is mounted in the vertical face of the footwell under the (starboard) cockpit seat on the 26; on the 260 a larger portlight is mounted at an angle inside a small cockpit locker. The locker must be open to make use of the portlight. The companionway is different also; the hatchboard opening is narrower on the 260 (the sliding cover is the same width on both.)

 

[Mike Pajewski]

Other Differences and superstitions

Tracy,I own a 96 vintage H26. The biggest differences between a 26 and 260 is the rig. The 26 uses a full batten main, and the mast does not have fixed support struts like the 260 does. The anchor locker and bow cleat configuration is much improved on the 260 as it allows for the installation of an optional anchor roller. Early 260's came with fixed ports in the head and galley, these open on my 26. The major difference in the interior is that the galley fiddles and trim on a H26 is smoked plexiglass, in the 260 it is teak. There is a cabinet in the galley and a single burner butane stove in the 260, the 26 uses a drop in two burner Origo 4000 alchohol stove. The head door is teak on the 260, white fiberglass on the 26. The 260 cabin sole in the head is raised to allow for a marine head option. The 26 uses collapsible bottles for water, the 260 has a water tank under the v-berth. The rudder assembly and transom is completely different between the two boats as the 260 was designed for wheel steering and most 26's have a tiller. early 26's did not come with ster perch seats, and they became an option. It is not very practicable to backfit these.That said, the boats should sail the same. The differences are a matter of preference. The biggest impact will be cost. A 2002 260 will cost about $10K more than a 5 year old 26. The older boat may have some wear and tear, but is likely to have more owner installed gear like a compass, GPS, Autopilot, etc. These items would add to the price of the new boat. On the other hand, it's nice to start with a new boat, and you don't have to worry about angering King Neptune when you incorrectly rename the boat.Mike PajewskiH26 "Loon"

 

[Harvey Small]

26 Stern Seats OK

Mike, you got it all in your last post, except for one quibble. We have a 26, and had no problem retrofitting the stern rail seats. (Or should I say, or dealer had no problem...it was a bit more than I was up for do it yourselfing.)As for the mast, I'd like to hear if anyone has a comparison of the effort required to step the mast on the two systems.