H260 Characteristics

[Quoddy]

How does the H260 sail compared to other boats you’ve sailed?
I’ve never sailed anything but a H260. What makes it special in a good or bad way?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

By length, it will sail faster than a 23.5 and 260. I have sailed it against many other boats. Here is the key, do not heel over 12-14 degrees by sail control and the rudder is parallel to the direction you wnat to go in the water. It could act as a brake without your knowledge. I sailed against others with spinnakers too and was still competitive.

list your questions and I will try to respond. There is alot on this boat in the archives which should be invaluable.

Crazy Dave Condon

 

[shanker]

I recently purchased my h260 and I'm a newbie sailor so accept what I say with that caveat. I purchased my boat with cruising being the main/only requirement that I was looking for. It fills that need for me very well for mostly inland lake sailing. I have noticed that it does heel a little quicker than a keel boat. Spooks my wife buy I know that she will get use to that feeling. The mainsail is also the real driver so a balanced sail plan will go a long way to making your sail more responsive and enjoyable. I'm definately still in kindergarden in regards to balanced sails. I find that she is much more difficult to steer wihile under motor (9.9 honda) but it just takes some getting use to (not very responsive to the rudder and I have a steering link from rudder to the motor). I love the boat for its versitility, I can trailer anywhere and she's very easy to prepare and take down after a sail. Next summer I will be sailing a lot with a 22 Tanzier so I'll have a better knowledge base on handling then.

Good luck

 

[Quoddy]

Narrow groove

We have a motor to rudder connection and it seems to work well. Check to see that they are aligned when straight ahead and when turned. It doesn’t have to be much out to have them fighting each other, especially the faster you go. When the wind is up the generous freeboard is a problem without enough headway. Keeping the centerboard down greatly improves directionality, which is nice.
Keeping it to 12-14 sounds just about what I’ve experienced. The problem I seem to have is it's usually (sustained)gusty enough to shoot us way over that causing me to reduce sail, which makes us to slow in the lulls and heeling only 5-10. I seem to struggle and end up spending most of the time either way over 14 or way under 12. The good zone seems to be very narrow.
Thanks all for the input.

 

[Tom2909]

H260 (water ballast) compared to fixed keel boats of similar size:
- has variable draft (centerboard) to access shallow waters and is a bit more forgiving if you accidentally wander into thin water.
- Bobs over waves instead of plowing through them.
- Is a little more tender and will heel sooner.
- Can be put on a trailer and towed to new cruising grounds or the backyard for storage.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I've sailed many makes and models in the last 40 years. The H260 sails exactly the way it was intended to be used, "Family Friendly". It is easy to use and forgiving. This is great for casual sailing. It gets frustrating when you try to push the boat beyond it's intended use. You must reef early and seek protection when the weather kicks up.

I've learned to live with the boat I own, rather than attempt to change it into something it can never be. I sail it casually and in fair weather. I invite friends and family along and let them have fun. We do "splash" sailing, lunches, and sunsets rather than racing and long distance cursing.

I bare boat charter when I want a different kind of adventure.

 

[Quoddy]

Dave, direct comparison?

Dave, you’ve sailed both the 260 and 270 and maybe a pre 260 h27. Their couldn’t be a more direct comparison. You’re thoughts?

 

[shanker]

Dave, those are very wise and practical comments.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Sorry Quoddy. The only other Hunter I've sailed is the 38.

 

[Quoddy]

Dave- Crazy Dave

Sorry.I think Crazy has sailed both in his time.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

My name is known for these Hunter water ballast sailboats and yes I sailed the 260 and 270. In fact I introdcued them.

The diplacement under sail is the same but dry weight for the 260 is 3000 lbs versus 5000 for the 270. 260 easier to tow and get on the trailer but there is a trailer designed to get the 270 out but you will need a longer ramp. Mast raising is the same for both.

The 270 is a little harder to get off if grounded but if you ground, go backwards until you get back into deep water. As for the 260, lift the center board and back out.

The 270 is a little stabler since the fixed keel is deeper as it will not heel as quick as the 260. However, heeling 12-14 degrees max is the same for both. I found both with the same experienced skippers, both the 270 and 260 sail together pretty much the same.

One thread talked about a 9.9 engine. If you tighten the lock friction nut up enough so it will swing, turn it when under way until it is no longer creating drag/friction. Reason is the engine is off to the side and not amidships or in line with the parallel with the length of the boat and will be turned a little to compensate for that.

crazy dave