H260 jib sheet track

kappykaplan · Jan 14, 2012

Re: H260 jib sheet

A qucik option for "moving" blocks out would be to rig snatch blocks on the toe rail, run the jib sheets through them, then to the normal cars (blocks). You didn't say why you wanted to move the blocks farther out, but I use the snatch blocks when I'm about 60 degrees off the wind (barber haul).

Dan Hill · Jan 14, 2012

Unfortunately the 260 like my 240 has no toe rail and has a fixed jib sheet inside the side stays. This also was something I looked into years ago without any solution. I read once about someone asking about adding a larger headsail with the sheet outside the stays. The common consensus was it would screw up the balance of the rig without adding any speed or advantage.

cephius (Dave) · Jan 14, 2012

Stanchion fairleads

I clamped on these swiveling fairleads for my aspin sheets. You could add them inboard on the stanchions for the jib sheets.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jan 17, 2012

The problem with installation of jib tracks or blocks is attachement, need and so forth. I f you go toward the outboard, not sure of the life line interference.

However if you really want to install there is a way. First the cabin liner is not attached in all areas to the deck. Thus to drill and bolt into place would mean the cabin liner would be pressed upward with damage occouring. I have seen and heard of two ways to stop that. First, when drilling a hole in the deck and you note a space below the deck between the deck and cabin liner, expandable hard foam was injected into that hold/void and allowed to dry. The hole was redrilled all the way thru the cabin liner and you have a secure base which to attach bolts with retaining washer and nuts inside but use a plate inside to distribute the load.

There is another option. Find stainless steel tubing which the bolt could go thru, Drill for the size of the tube. With each hole, measure and cut the tube so it is flush with the deck and cabin liner inside. Put the bolt thru the tube and secure at the bottom of the tube inside with washer and nut. This way you do not have to worry about filling the voids between the liner and deck.

These are options should you want to attach to the deck but remember these are protusions inside the boat cieling and are head stoppers which hurt if you hit your head on them. One way is to put a finish oval nut style on at the end of each bolt.

crazy dave condon

Barnacle Bill · Jan 17, 2012

Well, this is another example of the problem with some certain boats, if I may make comment here. I think some manufacturers build boats for the uninitiated with the idea that they will create a design that is so specialized to easy sailing, that modification possibilities for better efficiency is lost. I have had several Hunter owners, who have wished to increase their headsail size running into the same problem of not being able to install a track to accommodate the proper lead for various sized headsails. Of course not every Hunter model suffers from this. There are some not so older designs that accommodate change easily, but some of the newer designs that offer 135% headsails on furlers do not. Of course someone with more experience will figure this out right away, but someone new to the sport hasn't a clue and of course the sailsperson won't bring it up. So, it is buyer beware and it fits under the category of the school of hard knocks. Of course, there are some who are very happy with the design as is and don't need to make changes. For those folks, the shoe fits. But, the shoe doesn't fit for the rest of you who might find you want more out of your boat.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jan 19, 2012

The boat wa designed specifcally for trailering purposes. With that in mind, it is a good fit to many. Many like what it can do but some may disgree. We all can agree to disagree.

Granted it may be difficult to add some items but in the long run I competiitively sailed against many different sailboats and won without even a spinnaker. It goes right back to sail control thru use of decreasing sail area and/or letting the sails out keeping in mind heeling no more than12-14 degrees max and little pressure on the rudder.

This is based on experience, knowledge of the hunter water ballast sailboats, 50 plus years of sailing, launching many sailboats behind a pickup to even include a Hunter 33 and 340 down to the smallest dinghy built.

Crazy Dave Condon

soling42 · Jan 19, 2012

CDC said "The boat was designed specifcally for trailering purposes. With that in mind, it is a good fit to many." A totally accurate statement from one of the main guys responsible for the design that was competing against other production trailersailors and he hit it squarely on the head.

Few have owned and used the 260 as long, or used it to its limitations more than we have and it's exactly "what it is". As Dave said.....a trailer boat. I get it, and I'd say it's still a leader in its class in a time when newer designs have taken a back seat to comfort and function or attempt to be a powerboat with a mast(no offense to that niche). This sail boat will sail fast within its rated class with an attentive captain and a well tuned rig just the way it was shipped. It's also an EXCELLENT shallow draft weekender coastal cruiser and EASILY packs up to pull down the highway like nothing else out there its size. That's our niche to a T.

Sublime my friend, do what gives you pleasure, and no offense intended but my .02c says jib sheet tracks won't add enough speed to warrant the effort. Take it from a former gear head who still can't grasp 6kts as "fast" and has spent far too many hours tweaking our rig with little or no speed increase. Keep it simple, clean the bottom, tune the rig and love the boat for just what it is.

Fair winds. Mike

soling42 · Jan 20, 2012

I added that shot because it reminded me of a similar quest to yours where I couldn't shake the spinnaker/gennaker/genoa idea that it'd add some much needed speed. The project and the R&D did keep me occupied for months, which is good, but in the end it was crazy expensive to get to my level of perfection. Yes it's cool, wows the fleet on the right day and helps on a narrow range of wind directions......but not enough to warrant spending so much. So the next guy who owns my boat gets a very nice upgrade.

Carbon bow sprit, Custom cut kevlar gennaker, Facnor continuou$$ line furler from the cockpit, Garhaur blocks, 5/16 sheets and Lewmar Self tailing winches. It's a ton of boat jewelry that deploys/retrieves with expert ease but only adds .5kt in a specific range.

Ahh the quest for speed in a sailboat is a sickness that is only cured with the heavy purge of blood and money from your wallet and I'm thoroughly cured......until the next tweak is subliminally implanted in my Psyche

cephius (Dave) · Jan 20, 2012

Sublime,
Yes, Aspin does refer to an asymmetrical cursing spinnaker. I should know better than to use short names here.

As to back winding the main with the jib. I have two cures.
1. The H260 sails best on a reach, so I ease the jib and head a bit more downwind to fill the main.

2. If I really want to point high, I add a block and tackle to the end of the boom and pull it closer to the center. This is basically a temporary traveler. It works great as the wind stiffens and I want a flat jib and main.

Jackdaw · Jan 20, 2012

soling42 said:
I added that shot because it reminded me of a similar quest to yours where I couldn't shake the spinnaker/gennaker/genoa idea that it'd add some much needed speed. The project and the R&D did keep me occupied for months, which is good, but in the end it was crazy expensive to get to my level of perfection. Yes it's cool, wows the fleet on the right day and helps on a narrow range of wind directions......but not enough to warrant spending so much. So the next guy who owns my boat gets a very nice upgrade.

Carbon bow sprit, Custom cut kevlar gennaker, Facnor continuou$$ line furler from the cockpit, Garhaur blocks, 5/16 sheets and Lewmar Self tailing winches. It's a ton of boat jewelry that deploys/retrieves with expert ease but only adds .5kt in a specific range.

Very trick. Nice looking too. I'm sure you figured you could also gain that elusive .5 knot by not dragging the toys around, right?? ;^)

Barnacle Bill · Jan 20, 2012

You are right, it is unsolicited, and I apologize for that, but I am not saying one shouldn't buy the boat. I am just pointing out the fact that this situation exists (as written in my earlier post). My goal is to bring out peculiarities of certain designs which may be undesirable for one reason or another, or perhaps not so, if the reader decides it is not a concern for their particular purpose. I am all for trying to shed light on our sport and the boats we sail and the gear we use. The Hunter 260 has lots of features that attract lots of buyers. My argument is that many sailors are not aware of the differences in boats and all that are entailed and find out the hard way and sometimes after spending lots of money, much to their chagrin. I have heard many Hunter owners of this particular generation of Hunter boats (of different sizes too) complain about the difficulty of adding a larger headsail because there is no easy way to install a genoa track and car to accommodate the lead further back to gain decent sail trim. So, why not point that out? I know lots of people who are happy with the stock furling headsail that Hunter offered. It is those who wanted to add a larger headsail who have expressed disenchantment. I only reiterate that frustration.

soling42 · Jan 21, 2012

"I'm sure you figured you could also gain that elusive .5 knot by not dragging the toys around, right?? ;^) "

Thanks Jack, my bride (who packs everything under the sun)would say that as slow as sailboats go with no genuine ability to get anywhere fast or with ease then the whole thing is a giant toy anyway?

Hugh Straub · Jan 21, 2012

I have read about, but have not yet tried, experimenting with alternative sheet block placement, by tying a loop in the middle of a line and then securing both line ends, say to life line stanchions. A snatch block is clipped into the loop and the block and the block/loop can then be moved fore or aft to suit. Those craving that extra .5 knot, might give it a try. (When I need to go faster, I look to the Iron Genny.)

Krgds

Hugh

epsilonblue · Jan 24, 2012

I have recently bought a 260 with two jibs, one standard issue and the other about a 150.
The sheeting blocks are mounted outboard and just aft of the cup holders on a short track.
I race this boat and am still finding out the best sheeting positions. Judging by the tell-tales and the leach it is obvious that the jib-sheets need barber-hauling and I am thinking of fitting them via a block on the Gunnels anchored in a similar way to the shrouds. and controlled from the cockpit. Out of eleven boats, there are three Hunters two 260's and a 26. Its early in our series as yet but out of four races I have won three and third in the fouth race (with a six minute handicap). As for only half a knot, that is all it takes providing it is in the right direction. I believe there is more to come from this rig but Am not sure how it will behave in a blow. Just thought you may be interested
JT

Bob 04 H260 · Jan 26, 2012

I sailed in the North Channel of Lake Huron this past summer, there was a Hunter there with jib tracks and a small traveller, it appeared to improve the performance of the boat. The boat name is Incipient. A couple of pictures below.

Jim Kelly on this forum has a 270 that has a 150% genoa on it that has the sheets running back to the cockpit coaming to a block mounted just at the pushpit. The block is mounted on a swivel with cam cleat. The boat sails very well with this sail, it is a tiller boat and seems to balance well. This boat also has the small traveller mounted on the companionway step.

Bob

epsilonblue · Jan 27, 2012

Hi Again Sublime
Well today I found out how the larger jib on a 260 behaves in a blow: not good upwind,I had to roll it in, never a good thing for upwind, however we were overpowered and the rig needed continuous correction at the tiller, I could not get into a groove. Off-wind was not a lot better with the jib unfurled, continuous correction, fighting it all the way round the course. I had the added problem that the forestay was not tight enough and this exasperated the situation I now need some basic settings for the rig before I adjust it all. I still think the rig has more to offer.

H260 jib sheet track

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