H260 speed

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Quoddy

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Apr 1, 2009
241
Hunter 260 Maine
Typically, what’s the highest speed you can maintain on a reach when you’re in the mood for speed?:) Point of sail? What sails up? Wind and wave? Heeling much?
 

LarryH

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May 5, 2010
38
Hunter 260 Palm Beach County
Speed

Typically, what’s the highest speed you can maintain on a reach when you’re in the mood for speed?:) Point of sail? What sails up? Wind and wave? Heeling much?
My GPS indicated a speed of 7.1 knots a few weeks back under my main and j
ib. Wind had to be at least 15 -20.
 
Aug 9, 2005
825
Hunter 260 Sarasota,FL
The 260/26 will perform at theoretical hull speed(see link) with stock sails(in good condition) in about 12-15kts of wind on a broad reach. Speed over ground is another thing entirely. Current and wave conditions can temporarily add or subtract from a GPS indication of SOG.

Aside from current or wave corrections you can coax these boats to their limits at lower wind speed by adding technique, sail area and unloading any frills like ice/beer/fresh water/tools/anchors/guests/upholstery/general pork but there's a practical limit somewhere as low as 8-9kts of wind. I'm very happy with our ability to reach hull speed in a modest wind even with all the pork on board our boat. It'll do especially well in light air under 6 kts against its peers due to it's very full mainsail with its generous roach up high.

"Top speed" usually amounts to setup and technique which I don't claim to be an expert at as I'd never ditch the beer and ice for a 1/10th of a kt.

Hull speed equation: http://www.sailingusa.info/cal__hull_speed.htm

Good luck, Mike
 

MikeH

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Jan 7, 2004
157
Hunter 260 Perrysburg, OH
In line with Larry's results, we have attained 7 - 7.5 knots SOG on Lake Erie according to our GPS with 16-18 knot winds on a broad reach. Waves have to be 1-3 feet in height, or less, for this, and everyone is up on the high side to keep her as flat as possible.

Fair winds, Mike
 
Jun 28, 2009
312
hunter 23 Lake Hefner
Typically, what’s the highest speed you can maintain on a reach when you’re in the mood for speed?:) Point of sail? What sails up? Wind and wave? Heeling much?
I think about 60 knts is probably the maximum you should push it SOG. ;)
 

Deucer

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Oct 6, 2008
157
Hunter H260 Keesler AFB Marina
Wish I could get my 260 up to 60kts...but don't think she'd handle it well..;)....well, maybe on the trailer.
 
Sep 25, 2008
15
Each person has there own technique that will work well for them but one main point mentioned will be the condition of the sailing area. My formula for all the Hunter water ballast boats which I told my customers has always been never heel over the boat no more than 12 degrees. Control this thru reduced sail and/or letting the sails out. Beat many boats with that advice in moderate to severe winds

Crazy Dave Condon
 
May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
Crazy Dave, do you have any other tips for us sailing the 260 in terms of sail trim, center board position, rig tuning ? Do you suggest reefing the main first or furlling the jib a bit when the wind increases ? Any advice appreciated !
Bob
 
Apr 18, 2008
77
O'Day 34 Fairfield Harbour, NC
Crazy Dave - Great to hear from you again!
I agree with you, keep her flat and she will fly. I usually reef the main first, and then think about rolling in the jib. She can be sailed comfortably under reefed main alone, if you are not in too much of a hurry to get upwind. I have sailed like this on blustery days, watching lighter boats struggle and get blown about.
 
May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
I find pulling the center board up some on a run can make quite a difference, if I have a following sea I don't bring it up more than halfway, in smooth water I bring it up almost all the way. I can pick up to 0.5 kt this way.
When beating I find moving the center board back a bit helps a lot to prevent weather helm in a gust of wind and allows me to head up a bit. I seldom have to release the mainsheet by doing this.

I have a block on my mainsail outhaul that allows much less effort to flatten the sail. I just had a cunningham added to the sail this winter and will be using the sail loose footed so I hope these improvements will help in better sail shape in higher winds as well.

I use about 1.5* of mast rake, measured with a level app on my Ipod.

I am still playing with mast bend and shroud tension, I will have a Johnson lever on the forestay this spring so adjusting the rigging will be much easier.

Bob
 
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