H26 waterline / water flowing into gas locker on tack

Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
Hey all, we have been concerned with the aft waterlevel on the hunter 26. We have a honda 9.9 off the back, only one battery below and no extras on board (day sailing only). The level of the water at the rear is always a few inches over the bottom lip of the boat and under motor or under sail with 4 people water can come over into the gas locker area, and one time got pretty close to the hole where the motor wires go into the boat.

is there a cargo weight capacity and is there concern about the water level at the back? We worry about having 6 adults on the boat being too much? It seems like the gas locker opening at the rear could have been higher? Thanks.
 
Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
Perhaps this old thread has an answer, not enough weight up front.... our v berth storage is completely empty.

 
Dec 20, 2020
127
Prindle 16' Corrotoman River, VA
and one time got pretty close to the hole where the motor wires go into the boat.
Where is the hole for the motor wires on your boat? Not sure if this is different on each boat. I am thinking it's a dealer installed feature. Either way I wouldn't want water getting close to anything like that.
 
Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
Where is the hole for the motor wires on your boat? Not sure if this is different on each boat. I am thinking it's a dealer installed feature. Either way I wouldn't want water getting close to anything like that.
it’s about halfway up the height if the gas locker wall. I’m more concerned that the gas tank ends up surrounded by water too. Have you had 6+ adults on yours and the water level doesnt come up into the locker?
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,500
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Sent private message to poster. I have questions but a photo of the transom would help and any water seen below the rear berth?
I
 
Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
Sent private message to poster. I have questions but a photo of the transom would help and any water seen below the rear berth?
I
it's a bone dry boat. I recently replaced the marine tex putty in the underwater transom seal with fiberglass and rebuilt it. I also recently removed and rebedded the sensor through hulls.

Never had the ballast tank overflow.. Had 8 adults around the table once at dock and that was fine.

The boat is very empty of anything. Just floats and some cushions, but bed cushions are all at home and anything else that we don't need for day sailing. Looking forward to talking when you call Dave.

I might be able to get a photo on tack this weekend if we have adult guests finally.
 
Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
Here is a shot of a few inches of water in the gas locker area with the fuel line floating under water on a starboard tack with only 3 normal adults on the boat. Also a picture of the waterline docked with no one on it.
4DC0F59F-2521-457E-AE6C-5A0CDF845B98.jpeg
B6D7C30F-F6FA-42CB-A667-22189B1806BC.jpeg
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,500
-na -NA Anywhere USA
It looks fine as the water level with no one on board where the hull to deck joint meets on the transom appears to be above the water line. Probably overloaded on the boat with too many people. Call me next weekend as I am in meetings this coming week
Dave
 
Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
It looks fine as the water level with no one on board where the hull to deck joint meets on the transom appears to be above the water line. Probably overloaded on the boat with too many people. Call me next weekend as I am in meetings this coming week
Dave
I'll give you a ring, but only had < 400 lbs total of 2 people in the cockpit and 1 person in the cabin.
 

Doug J

.
May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
I'll give you a ring, but only had < 400 lbs total of 2 people in the cockpit and 1 person in the cabin.
JimSails, why is there a huge difference between the level of the water between the two pictures. The one showing the motor well is real low :yikes:. The other one that shows the transom looks normal. Sure seems like there must have been excessive weight at the stern, or there was a lot of water in the bilge.
 
Jul 31, 2017
47
Hunter 26 TBD
JimSails, why is there a huge difference between the level of the water between the two pictures. The one showing the motor well is real low :yikes:. The other one that shows the transom looks normal. Sure seems like there must have been excessive weight at the stern, or there was a lot of water in the bilge.
the high water is specifically under sail on a pretty good tilt with starboard being the lowside. The boat is clean dry and mostly empty for day sailing. My question is if other people experience the same as it seems concerning, but the boat is in quite perfect shape. Do you experience the same? Thanks!
 
Dec 20, 2020
127
Prindle 16' Corrotoman River, VA
I’d say mine sits a little higher but is similar. Look down the side of the boat at the dock. The waterline stripe on mine is parallel to the water but above the water a good bit (with no people) We were surprised how much just adding two people made to height height in the water. The water we were in left a high water mark and when we got off the boat we could see how much us getting off changed the height in the water

oh with our the boat on a good lean to starboard yah we had water come in the motor pocket area. But with the tilt it didn’t go up into the gas tank locker much. So wasn’t a concern.

I noticed your motor is dragging in the water even though it is up. Ours too and so we would sail with it down for less drag (ours wouldn’t stay vertical like yours. Anyway I was astonished how much water it would push still. The motor mount seems way too low. Some others have raised theirs. I’m planning to do the same.
 

Doug J

.
May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
the high water is specifically under sail on a pretty good tilt with starboard being the lowside. The boat is clean dry and mostly empty for day sailing. My question is if other people experience the same as it seems concerning, but the boat is in quite perfect shape. Do you experience the same? Thanks!
Oh I see. I didn't realize looking at the pic that you were heeled over. Then I guess mine is the same. I've never had any reason to be concerned. I've got two golf cart batteries all the way aft, port side, which contributes to my boat sitting lower at the stern than I would like, so I need to do something about that. Would love to get a lithium battery, could probably get away with just one. That would cut the weight from 124lbs to like 35lbs, but lithium batteries are so expensive!