I'm interested in trailering a boat on the various lakes of the mid-atlantic states and doing limited sailing on the Intercoastal Waterway and Gulf. The water-ballast 19 and winged keel 18.5 look very similar in overall apprearance and features. Has anyone ever sailed them both so they can compare performance? Is the 18.5 significantly more crowded below for two people on a weekend cruise? Does the water Ballast present any problems? Thanks for your help.
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H19 without a doubt
Ray We owned a H19 for 5 years and almost boutght a H18.5. Love the H19 easy to rig, easy to sail. A go anywhere kind of day sailor. My wife and I sailed up and down the Cheaspeake Bay with it. Compared to the H18.5, seemed to have much better room below. We didn't cook on it, used ready to eat kind of meals. The alcohol stove was not used, needed something better for long trips. Water ballast was never a problem. Towed the boat a couple of thousand miles round trip to Florida for a nice vacation. Had a F150 and almost didn't know the boat was back there. Met the designer at the Hunter 25th celebration in Annapolis and he loved the boat. I would take the H19 over the H18.5. Jim S/V Java
Ray We owned a H19 for 5 years and almost boutght a H18.5. Love the H19 easy to rig, easy to sail. A go anywhere kind of day sailor. My wife and I sailed up and down the Cheaspeake Bay with it. Compared to the H18.5, seemed to have much better room below. We didn't cook on it, used ready to eat kind of meals. The alcohol stove was not used, needed something better for long trips. Water ballast was never a problem. Towed the boat a couple of thousand miles round trip to Florida for a nice vacation. Had a F150 and almost didn't know the boat was back there. Met the designer at the Hunter 25th celebration in Annapolis and he loved the boat. I would take the H19 over the H18.5. Jim S/V Java
What is the downside of 18.5?
Thanks for your reply. The winged keel 18.5 has a little less room but weighs the same and some say it sails better. What is the downside of the 18.5 other than the room issue? (I'm looking at one of each but the 19 is more than twice as much money as the 18.5 and I can't see why.) Thanks again.
Thanks for your reply. The winged keel 18.5 has a little less room but weighs the same and some say it sails better. What is the downside of the 18.5 other than the room issue? (I'm looking at one of each but the 19 is more than twice as much money as the 18.5 and I can't see why.) Thanks again.
Try em both
Try them both for a test sail before you buy them. I cannot tell you how important this is. Don't buy either with out a ride first, even if it is a short cold ride. I bet after you rig, launch, sail, pull out and derig both boats you will choose the 19. Let me know which and why. They are both good boats.
Try them both for a test sail before you buy them. I cannot tell you how important this is. Don't buy either with out a ride first, even if it is a short cold ride. I bet after you rig, launch, sail, pull out and derig both boats you will choose the 19. Let me know which and why. They are both good boats.
Winged keel vs water ballast
What makes the 19 easier to rig and launch compared to the 18.5? They look so similar. I supose the 18.5 rides a little higher on its trailer due to keel.
What makes the 19 easier to rig and launch compared to the 18.5? They look so similar. I supose the 18.5 rides a little higher on its trailer due to keel.
19 is New model
Ray The 19 is newer and easier to set uo because it was designed with quiler riggin in mind. Just like the 23 is hard to set up, the 235 is pretty fast to set up, and the 240 is possibly a little faster to rig than the 235. Each new model is an improvement in convenience over the last. They all sail well and some folks prefer the older models. I can't recommend strongly enough that you go see and sail both boats. If they won't take you for a ride or at least spend the time showing you how to rig the boats, I would not buy them.
Ray The 19 is newer and easier to set uo because it was designed with quiler riggin in mind. Just like the 23 is hard to set up, the 235 is pretty fast to set up, and the 240 is possibly a little faster to rig than the 235. Each new model is an improvement in convenience over the last. They all sail well and some folks prefer the older models. I can't recommend strongly enough that you go see and sail both boats. If they won't take you for a ride or at least spend the time showing you how to rig the boats, I would not buy them.
H-19 Hard to find
Thanks, Frank. I know of one H-19 for sail in Raleigh, but since there were only 200 or so made, they are fairly hard to find. Do you own one? I've seen both but sailed neither. Is there a down side to the H-19? Ray
Thanks, Frank. I know of one H-19 for sail in Raleigh, but since there were only 200 or so made, they are fairly hard to find. Do you own one? I've seen both but sailed neither. Is there a down side to the H-19? Ray
Ray - Call Crazy Dave
Ray if you give me a call I can put you in touch with Dave. HE IS the small boat boat guy. He will know if there is a H19 anywhere. I bought mine from him in '95. Jim 703 759 4627
Ray if you give me a call I can put you in touch with Dave. HE IS the small boat boat guy. He will know if there is a H19 anywhere. I bought mine from him in '95. Jim 703 759 4627
The down side
The down side is that it is only a 19 footer. Although it is a great sailing 19 footer for the size most folks graduate to a larger boat if they are going weekending. The 240 is so popular and takes only a few more minutes to rig that most weekend cruiser quickly want to step up in size. If you are already a commited sailor you might save a bundle by buying the boat you'll want ten years from now today. Even if you have to finance it you might lose less than you would by buying and selling every two feet. With that said the H19 is an ideal boat for two to "camp on" for up to a week.
The down side is that it is only a 19 footer. Although it is a great sailing 19 footer for the size most folks graduate to a larger boat if they are going weekending. The 240 is so popular and takes only a few more minutes to rig that most weekend cruiser quickly want to step up in size. If you are already a commited sailor you might save a bundle by buying the boat you'll want ten years from now today. Even if you have to finance it you might lose less than you would by buying and selling every two feet. With that said the H19 is an ideal boat for two to "camp on" for up to a week.
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