Ok people I am set to buy a hunter trailerable. (though some of the stories you have written about it have me in doubt) What I would like is your input on the size best suited to a new sailor. Wife and I just completed the ASA basic keel boat course and are looking at making a purchase this spring or early summer.... We took all our course sails on 30 footers but we just do not want to marina our boat. Here in Florida you can invest a fortune. Plus we only live 2 mile from the nearest launch. Hope to hear from ya'll real soon. You have been a wealth of knowledge. Help us out ok.....
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new boat
The size of the boat is best determined by what your intended use of the boat is, ie how many people etc, larger boats are more forgiving than small boats, smaller boats more responsive, so determine what it is you want boat to do for you and let that decide what size to buy rather than your amount of experience, we all started as new, do not think you need to start small and move up bad idea, costly, read posts regarding this in archives, Regards MIke
The size of the boat is best determined by what your intended use of the boat is, ie how many people etc, larger boats are more forgiving than small boats, smaller boats more responsive, so determine what it is you want boat to do for you and let that decide what size to buy rather than your amount of experience, we all started as new, do not think you need to start small and move up bad idea, costly, read posts regarding this in archives, Regards MIke
HUNTER-20
Look at the H-20, You can get them used for under $3,000 they have a swing keel and can be launched at any ramp, Also it pulls nice with a full size pickup. I built a mast cruch extension for mine so I can step the mast myself. If you have 2 people it goes up easy. One other thing I like is it has an outboard motor, no engine inside. Good Luck, John.
Look at the H-20, You can get them used for under $3,000 they have a swing keel and can be launched at any ramp, Also it pulls nice with a full size pickup. I built a mast cruch extension for mine so I can step the mast myself. If you have 2 people it goes up easy. One other thing I like is it has an outboard motor, no engine inside. Good Luck, John.
Could use a little more information
Are you planning to do afternoon cruises? Do you intend to stay on boat over weekends? Going to try short (week or so) cruises? Got Kids? Want to take frends/family along? What is your towing capability?
Are you planning to do afternoon cruises? Do you intend to stay on boat over weekends? Going to try short (week or so) cruises? Got Kids? Want to take frends/family along? What is your towing capability?
ok more information
Just the wife and I now. Kids are grown. So mostly just us. Weekends and over nighters. Maybe long three day weekends....Own a Jeep wrangler . Looking at the 240. Max distance to ramp is 2 miles. Longer trips might have to make other arrangments. Max people I would like to sail with is four. After that the cockpit starts to get crowded. Most of our sails would be in the Intercoastal waterway. Short trips into the ocean out of St. Augustine on nice days. We sailed all weekend in the waterway on a 30' and had a ball............... Like i mentioned before i just do not want to pay dockage fees on top of boat payment....
Just the wife and I now. Kids are grown. So mostly just us. Weekends and over nighters. Maybe long three day weekends....Own a Jeep wrangler . Looking at the 240. Max distance to ramp is 2 miles. Longer trips might have to make other arrangments. Max people I would like to sail with is four. After that the cockpit starts to get crowded. Most of our sails would be in the Intercoastal waterway. Short trips into the ocean out of St. Augustine on nice days. We sailed all weekend in the waterway on a 30' and had a ball............... Like i mentioned before i just do not want to pay dockage fees on top of boat payment....
Best boat for the money
If you like to keep your money in your pocket, buy a 240. If its burning a hole in your pocket buy the 260. In all honesty, If I had the money and was buying a boat again, I would buy a 260. I would not intend to trailer often(I keep my 240 in the water). Russell s/v Summer Luvin'
If you like to keep your money in your pocket, buy a 240. If its burning a hole in your pocket buy the 260. In all honesty, If I had the money and was buying a boat again, I would buy a 260. I would not intend to trailer often(I keep my 240 in the water). Russell s/v Summer Luvin'
Agree with 240/260
Marvin, I agree with the 240/260 advise. You should go for the biggest boat that meets your requirements. The 260 might be a real test for you Jeep on longer hauls but the extra room will turn gold as time goes by. You'll notice that I'm not even going to bring up the orginal Hunter 23 (My boat). It's trailerable just like the old orginal portable color TV's were portable. Yea Right!!. GREAT boat once you get it in and rigged though. None better if you're planning on doing something stupid. Try the 260. If you can't make it work, back down to the 240. And don't forget to check for used boats in your model preference. -Greg (with out a spell checker tonight)
Marvin, I agree with the 240/260 advise. You should go for the biggest boat that meets your requirements. The 260 might be a real test for you Jeep on longer hauls but the extra room will turn gold as time goes by. You'll notice that I'm not even going to bring up the orginal Hunter 23 (My boat). It's trailerable just like the old orginal portable color TV's were portable. Yea Right!!. GREAT boat once you get it in and rigged though. None better if you're planning on doing something stupid. Try the 260. If you can't make it work, back down to the 240. And don't forget to check for used boats in your model preference. -Greg (with out a spell checker tonight)
why not a h23?
I'll admit to a bias in favor of the h23, but I don't understand Greg Stebbins, along with others, claims that its hard to trailer. There are legitiment issues regarding weight distribution on the trailer, and the step up to the cabin top while raising the mast will never be a canditate for most fun sailing related activity, but its just not that bad. Take a minute to read the string generated by Mike B's posting on 4/2/00 about a ramp. I think a lot of complaints can be resolved by that idea. In terms of weight to tow, I suggest there is no room to complain in a boat of this size. Look at the numbers in the boat stats section. I have helped friends rig and launch many different types of boats, and they all have their good points and their less than good points. The main thing is to take the time to decide what are you really going to do with your boat, what criteria, including trailering, sailing characteristics and on-board livebility are important to you. Then, try to envision yourself looking back on a couple of years of using it and try to figure out what you're to consider important, and what's insignificant. How you feel immediatly after buying the boat isn't near as important as how you're going to feel about the decision in 1 year, 2, years or 5 years. Before making the big decision, see about getting rides on prospective boat models. Most sailors are friendly and willing to talk about their boats, and many will take you on a quick sail if circumstances allow. Pretty quickly you will find that your thougths keep focusing back on a particular design. That's probably the one for you. Good luck and good sailing. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
I'll admit to a bias in favor of the h23, but I don't understand Greg Stebbins, along with others, claims that its hard to trailer. There are legitiment issues regarding weight distribution on the trailer, and the step up to the cabin top while raising the mast will never be a canditate for most fun sailing related activity, but its just not that bad. Take a minute to read the string generated by Mike B's posting on 4/2/00 about a ramp. I think a lot of complaints can be resolved by that idea. In terms of weight to tow, I suggest there is no room to complain in a boat of this size. Look at the numbers in the boat stats section. I have helped friends rig and launch many different types of boats, and they all have their good points and their less than good points. The main thing is to take the time to decide what are you really going to do with your boat, what criteria, including trailering, sailing characteristics and on-board livebility are important to you. Then, try to envision yourself looking back on a couple of years of using it and try to figure out what you're to consider important, and what's insignificant. How you feel immediatly after buying the boat isn't near as important as how you're going to feel about the decision in 1 year, 2, years or 5 years. Before making the big decision, see about getting rides on prospective boat models. Most sailors are friendly and willing to talk about their boats, and many will take you on a quick sail if circumstances allow. Pretty quickly you will find that your thougths keep focusing back on a particular design. That's probably the one for you. Good luck and good sailing. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
The real me.....
Marvin, I was rational in my previous post. This time I'm a 23 owner. I was kinda hoping a few more of the 23 owners would have chimed in by now. Oh well, maybe later. So here’s my pitch: I'm from the old school and can't stand slabs of f/g inside the cabin. The 23 is 100% teak inside and laid out for full sized adults and that appealed to me. It also has excellent sailing performance, a real mast and rigging as well as shallow draft without centerboard intrusion into the cabin. The 23 can sail through a 30+ knot blow (I know because that’s what I do for fun). It is trailer-able (comes with a trailer) but is not idiot proof. You have to know what you're doing to get the boat rigged and on and off her trailer. Here’s a point to consider. I’m a 23 owner and am planning to “move up” to a 31-40 foot boat this year (before summer I hope!). I have no intention of selling my 23! I’ll keep her in her slip and sail her probably quite a bit more than the coming larger boat. 23’s are that good and that much fun! Or, HOW about this. Several week ago our J Club hosted a regatta on Ray Hubbard (my lake) The Club commandeered several slips on other docks to accommodate the 30+ J’s that showed up. We had a few on my dock. I went down to check on the boat on Sunday morning and found my 23 surrounded by about 6 or 8 of the J people. I had to give a tour of my boat that morning (I always hate that
! ). The point I’d like to make here is that there are 8-10 high performance boats on my dock including a Henderson 30 and a Hobie 33 but the boat that attracted their attention that morning was my little 23. The 23 is one sexy little boat! It’s up to you. Hunter 23 and about 3 yr. rental on a slip for about the same price as a new 240/260.
Marvin, I was rational in my previous post. This time I'm a 23 owner. I was kinda hoping a few more of the 23 owners would have chimed in by now. Oh well, maybe later. So here’s my pitch: I'm from the old school and can't stand slabs of f/g inside the cabin. The 23 is 100% teak inside and laid out for full sized adults and that appealed to me. It also has excellent sailing performance, a real mast and rigging as well as shallow draft without centerboard intrusion into the cabin. The 23 can sail through a 30+ knot blow (I know because that’s what I do for fun). It is trailer-able (comes with a trailer) but is not idiot proof. You have to know what you're doing to get the boat rigged and on and off her trailer. Here’s a point to consider. I’m a 23 owner and am planning to “move up” to a 31-40 foot boat this year (before summer I hope!). I have no intention of selling my 23! I’ll keep her in her slip and sail her probably quite a bit more than the coming larger boat. 23’s are that good and that much fun! Or, HOW about this. Several week ago our J Club hosted a regatta on Ray Hubbard (my lake) The Club commandeered several slips on other docks to accommodate the 30+ J’s that showed up. We had a few on my dock. I went down to check on the boat on Sunday morning and found my 23 surrounded by about 6 or 8 of the J people. I had to give a tour of my boat that morning (I always hate that
! ). The point I’d like to make here is that there are 8-10 high performance boats on my dock including a Henderson 30 and a Hobie 33 but the boat that attracted their attention that morning was my little 23. The 23 is one sexy little boat! It’s up to you. Hunter 23 and about 3 yr. rental on a slip for about the same price as a new 240/260.St Augustine
My Wife and I took the keel boat class last week in St Augustine to get our certificate so we could charter. We've been sailing a h26 for 4years in MN. I think the 26 would be fine for sailing in that area. In fact, we sailed an older 30' Pearson w/tiller that was fast but just about as tender as our 26. I also saw a MacGreger 26 in ICW and if that boat is ok there, for sure a Hunter is. Beautiful city by the way-and it was warm(!) except for the thunderstorm on Thursday that drove us back into the marina! Unfortunately, I can't give you advice on the little sister, the 240.
My Wife and I took the keel boat class last week in St Augustine to get our certificate so we could charter. We've been sailing a h26 for 4years in MN. I think the 26 would be fine for sailing in that area. In fact, we sailed an older 30' Pearson w/tiller that was fast but just about as tender as our 26. I also saw a MacGreger 26 in ICW and if that boat is ok there, for sure a Hunter is. Beautiful city by the way-and it was warm(!) except for the thunderstorm on Thursday that drove us back into the marina! Unfortunately, I can't give you advice on the little sister, the 240.
It's not just the boat
Marvin, It not just the boat we are talking about here. It is also about you and your wife learning about sailing and getting good experiences that will make you better sailors for the long haul. I’d suggest that you buy small with the full intention of buying "up" later. First of all it’s a common occurrence. Secondly, it doesn’t cost much if you buy an older boat. I am selling my ’83 Catalina 22 (to help pay for my H26). Three years of slip fees far out run (by a factor of 10) the net cost of using the Catalina for those three years. But more to the point, as Mike B said, smaller boats are more responsive – i.e. you learn more about sailing from them. Basics like how to read the wind on the sails, jib/main balance, etc. are all easier to play with and learn from on smaller boats. Even BIG mistakes on small boats tend to have smaller consequences. But the lesson to the skipper and crew is still learned. For example, I never forget flipping my M-16 scow in a gust because the mainsheet "made its own knot" at the block and I had to choose between hiking out and bending over to untangle it. I got wet, and got towed back to bail it out. To this day I am meticulous about watching where and how the mainsheet lies about in the cockpit. Jim on "Grizzly Bear"
Marvin, It not just the boat we are talking about here. It is also about you and your wife learning about sailing and getting good experiences that will make you better sailors for the long haul. I’d suggest that you buy small with the full intention of buying "up" later. First of all it’s a common occurrence. Secondly, it doesn’t cost much if you buy an older boat. I am selling my ’83 Catalina 22 (to help pay for my H26). Three years of slip fees far out run (by a factor of 10) the net cost of using the Catalina for those three years. But more to the point, as Mike B said, smaller boats are more responsive – i.e. you learn more about sailing from them. Basics like how to read the wind on the sails, jib/main balance, etc. are all easier to play with and learn from on smaller boats. Even BIG mistakes on small boats tend to have smaller consequences. But the lesson to the skipper and crew is still learned. For example, I never forget flipping my M-16 scow in a gust because the mainsheet "made its own knot" at the block and I had to choose between hiking out and bending over to untangle it. I got wet, and got towed back to bail it out. To this day I am meticulous about watching where and how the mainsheet lies about in the cockpit. Jim on "Grizzly Bear"
Prairie Opinion
Marvin, We bought an H240 last June and have found it to be great for the lakes we sail. We seriously looked at the H260 but did not have the extra $10,000. You live near the "BIG" water and will probably want to take advantage of more of it sooner or later. If you are like most of us, you will want to trade up in a few years. Here's one idea: Get the H 240 as a learning boat which you will thoroughly enjoy - pocket the $10,000 and save it you the 30-40ft. boat you will want in 3-5 years. Just a thought.... You will be happy with either boat. Happy Sailing Charlie "Good Medicine"
Marvin, We bought an H240 last June and have found it to be great for the lakes we sail. We seriously looked at the H260 but did not have the extra $10,000. You live near the "BIG" water and will probably want to take advantage of more of it sooner or later. If you are like most of us, you will want to trade up in a few years. Here's one idea: Get the H 240 as a learning boat which you will thoroughly enjoy - pocket the $10,000 and save it you the 30-40ft. boat you will want in 3-5 years. Just a thought.... You will be happy with either boat. Happy Sailing Charlie "Good Medicine"
h23
Like the review says would you buy the boat again, answer , yes, I we , love our h23 , occasionally like to complain, like the man said lots of good comments from people at docks on trailer , great interior, sails well, what more could a person want, Looked at 23.5 and the interior looked like they went home early , Not my idea of what inside of boat should look like , no offense to all of the 23.5 owners, just a personal thing, 23 is a great boat, all around, MIke B
Like the review says would you buy the boat again, answer , yes, I we , love our h23 , occasionally like to complain, like the man said lots of good comments from people at docks on trailer , great interior, sails well, what more could a person want, Looked at 23.5 and the interior looked like they went home early , Not my idea of what inside of boat should look like , no offense to all of the 23.5 owners, just a personal thing, 23 is a great boat, all around, MIke B
H19 1995
You sound like you need a H19. My wife and I are upgrading to the H260 since we wish to stay out longer. The H19 has been a fine boat just for the reasons you stated. It will be available on Apr 15 at Crazy Dave's place. That's when we are picking up the H260. Good Luck....
You sound like you need a H19. My wife and I are upgrading to the H260 since we wish to stay out longer. The H19 has been a fine boat just for the reasons you stated. It will be available on Apr 15 at Crazy Dave's place. That's when we are picking up the H260. Good Luck....
h23
well Guys looking into a h23, keep the comments coming ......lots of help and information.....the closest is KY, further away is NY.
well Guys looking into a h23, keep the comments coming ......lots of help and information.....the closest is KY, further away is NY.
Well, I be darned..
Marvin, If your really interested, there is probably a 23 owner in you area who could be talked into a tour/ride. As for a "for sale" H23 in Florida, I can't believe there's not one close. I know of 2 in my area (Dallas, Tx) alone. The Hunter Web is only a starting point. Try brousing the Net. Although, I have read posts of people going 700+ miles to retrieve a good deal on a H23. Ah youth! Greg
Marvin, If your really interested, there is probably a 23 owner in you area who could be talked into a tour/ride. As for a "for sale" H23 in Florida, I can't believe there's not one close. I know of 2 in my area (Dallas, Tx) alone. The Hunter Web is only a starting point. Try brousing the Net. Although, I have read posts of people going 700+ miles to retrieve a good deal on a H23. Ah youth! Greg
Boats for sale
Saw some hunters for sale on the web crawler classifieds. I believe some were near you. good luck.
Saw some hunters for sale on the web crawler classifieds. I believe some were near you. good luck.
25.5
Unless you plan on trailing to a lot of different sailing locations, why not consider a boat such as the 25.5 which gives a lot of size for the money. You can no doubt find a marina that will let you dry sail the boat fully rigged and ready to pop in when you want it. You can always trailer it if you have a large enough vehicle but most people I know eventually just put their boats in a slip and as a second choice dry sail. I would recommedn buying as big as you can. If you stay in sailing you will save money in the long run buy not constantly getting a new boat. Good luck with whatever you buy.
Unless you plan on trailing to a lot of different sailing locations, why not consider a boat such as the 25.5 which gives a lot of size for the money. You can no doubt find a marina that will let you dry sail the boat fully rigged and ready to pop in when you want it. You can always trailer it if you have a large enough vehicle but most people I know eventually just put their boats in a slip and as a second choice dry sail. I would recommedn buying as big as you can. If you stay in sailing you will save money in the long run buy not constantly getting a new boat. Good luck with whatever you buy.
Thank you
Thank you for all the advice and information. Most helpful. I will post again when i decide and purchase. Thanks again. Marvin
Thank you for all the advice and information. Most helpful. I will post again when i decide and purchase. Thanks again. Marvin
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