It is befitting that I should get the last 260. I was heavily involved with the water ballast series and knew these boats better than anyone. I have enjoyed the relationship with many of you and I concur with the 240 going by the wayside as the sales plummeted on that model but I am confused with Hunter Marine as to the 260. They say the new 25 will be awesom but who knows. It will not be in Annapolis which is a shame as the booth will only have up to the 216. Several reasons for the demise is there is not enough room on the production line although the new 25 will be of fiberglass and built at another plant. They are not making any money is another and with the cost of raw materials esculating, I can understand but one thing is being lost. Many folks who bought the trailerables usually ended up buying the larger boats. I have always advoctad for a small group of dealers to form a suggestion committee for new boats but all manufacturers never do to include others. Maybe one day they will listen to us as we to include me as a dealer are on the firing line selling boats. One of the main reasons why the water ballast boats came about is a time when Hunter Marine did listen years ago when the 23 and 18.5 were dead in the water. One thing everyone fails to forget, to stay in buisness, you have to make money. thus I can understand why decisions are made due to marketing. I have varied opinions but I will not respond any more on the subject.
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I'm Living Proof of the progression
I went from several smaller boats to the H19 to the H260 to the H356. Still have a sweet spot in my heart for the H260 and of course Crazy Dave. Did I say that? Jim S/V Java
I went from several smaller boats to the H19 to the H260 to the H356. Still have a sweet spot in my heart for the H260 and of course Crazy Dave. Did I say that? Jim S/V Java
I'll withhold final judgement
until I see the new 25. However, I'll miss the 260. Even though there were areas that could use improvement, it was a very nice boat. If Hunter takes advantage of modern technologies, they could produce another winner in the 25, by making a boat that's just as trailerable, and a little less tender.
until I see the new 25. However, I'll miss the 260. Even though there were areas that could use improvement, it was a very nice boat. If Hunter takes advantage of modern technologies, they could produce another winner in the 25, by making a boat that's just as trailerable, and a little less tender.
A couple of comments
I don't know anyone in Hunter Marine's management so I can't really speak for them but a couple of things I read recently in the sailing press may shed some light on Hunter's decision when taken together.. 1) Boat manufacturers generate more profit by making a few big boats a year than on a bunch of small boats. 2) There are LOTS of people out there with excess cash. The custom builders responded to the demand. As an example, this month's SAIL magazine has three new large daysailers (36 to 40 ft) costing well over half a million dollars. DAYSAILERS. The major builders are trying to match them by introducing new big boats. The average cruising boat is now 40 ft long, packed with electronics, GPS, autopilot, radar, sat TV, watermaker, in-mast furling, self-tailing electric winches, electric windlass, etc. etc. 3) Fiberglass sailboats don't rot, rust or wear out. There are thousands of used boats on the market that may not be as good as a new 260 but are ready to sail away and will deliver quite acceptable sailing at a far lower price. 4) Boat manufacturers generate more profit by making a few big boats a year than on a bunch of small boats. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong (thanks, Dennis Miller) Peter H23 "Raven"
I don't know anyone in Hunter Marine's management so I can't really speak for them but a couple of things I read recently in the sailing press may shed some light on Hunter's decision when taken together.. 1) Boat manufacturers generate more profit by making a few big boats a year than on a bunch of small boats. 2) There are LOTS of people out there with excess cash. The custom builders responded to the demand. As an example, this month's SAIL magazine has three new large daysailers (36 to 40 ft) costing well over half a million dollars. DAYSAILERS. The major builders are trying to match them by introducing new big boats. The average cruising boat is now 40 ft long, packed with electronics, GPS, autopilot, radar, sat TV, watermaker, in-mast furling, self-tailing electric winches, electric windlass, etc. etc. 3) Fiberglass sailboats don't rot, rust or wear out. There are thousands of used boats on the market that may not be as good as a new 260 but are ready to sail away and will deliver quite acceptable sailing at a far lower price. 4) Boat manufacturers generate more profit by making a few big boats a year than on a bunch of small boats. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong (thanks, Dennis Miller) Peter H23 "Raven"
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