I've had an h26 since about 2000. I keep it at a dock all summer on Lake Wallenpupack in PA. Even though I only have to launch and retrieve it once a year I'm getting tired of dealing with so much boat. I know some of you can rig/derig this boat in no time, but it takes me 1.5hrs plus. Then I have to have a vehicle big enough to tow it. How much easier is a 216 to rig and launch? I just don't need a boat with liveaboard space. That's what the lakehouse if for. So is the 216 a good daysailing alternative? Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
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H216
I've never rigged a H26 but I regularly rig my H216. Unless I'm at my in-laws (tied up at their dock) I trailer it and rig it up and down every time I use it. I can do this all by myself and pull the boat with a fairly modest vehicle (since the boat is so light). Its also easy to sail. Small gib means no winches. I'm still spending about 30 - 45 minutes setting the boat up... although I have never actually timed myself. I have really enjoyed my H216. About the only negative I've heard about it is the possibility of breaking your swing keel cable if you pump it too much after the keel is already all the way up. But I haven't had any problem with that. And some people, who are used to the harder surface of gel coat, don't like the softer plastic surface of the H216.. It scratches easier than gel coat. But I think its a good boat if you want a larger sized day sailer.
I've never rigged a H26 but I regularly rig my H216. Unless I'm at my in-laws (tied up at their dock) I trailer it and rig it up and down every time I use it. I can do this all by myself and pull the boat with a fairly modest vehicle (since the boat is so light). Its also easy to sail. Small gib means no winches. I'm still spending about 30 - 45 minutes setting the boat up... although I have never actually timed myself. I have really enjoyed my H216. About the only negative I've heard about it is the possibility of breaking your swing keel cable if you pump it too much after the keel is already all the way up. But I haven't had any problem with that. And some people, who are used to the harder surface of gel coat, don't like the softer plastic surface of the H216.. It scratches easier than gel coat. But I think its a good boat if you want a larger sized day sailer.
Hi Ron.
The summer before last my wife and I went on a cruise around the lake. I love the small islands where you can pull up to. Looked for your boat but didn't find it. We were considering getting a vacation home around there, really beautiful. The kids go to a summer camp North of Honesdale. I was thinking of renting a truck for yearly hauls at one point. I also usually day sail, but the private head, cabin and cooking areas do come in handy. The cabin of the 216 is small, but will accomidate toys and a pota-pottie. alan
The summer before last my wife and I went on a cruise around the lake. I love the small islands where you can pull up to. Looked for your boat but didn't find it. We were considering getting a vacation home around there, really beautiful. The kids go to a summer camp North of Honesdale. I was thinking of renting a truck for yearly hauls at one point. I also usually day sail, but the private head, cabin and cooking areas do come in handy. The cabin of the 216 is small, but will accomidate toys and a pota-pottie. alan
I looked for it too
(see link) I have a H23.5. I sailed a 216 for an hour in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda in the BVIs, at the Bitter End Yacht Club. That's not a lot of time, but compared to my 23.5, it seemed quite finicky. By that I mean it demanded constant attention to sheets and tiller. I remember thinking it wouldn't do for "relaxing" family sails with a sandwich and beverage in hand. Of course, it depends on the winds. Perhaps some 216 owners can comment. The area photos and topo maps in the link below look fairly flat to me. It's very flat between my house and the lake (2 hours) and I've moved the boat with my 1991 Dodge minivan. It's about 3600 pounds without the outboard. Setup/down issues are similar to the H26. ...RickM...
(see link) I have a H23.5. I sailed a 216 for an hour in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda in the BVIs, at the Bitter End Yacht Club. That's not a lot of time, but compared to my 23.5, it seemed quite finicky. By that I mean it demanded constant attention to sheets and tiller. I remember thinking it wouldn't do for "relaxing" family sails with a sandwich and beverage in hand. Of course, it depends on the winds. Perhaps some 216 owners can comment. The area photos and topo maps in the link below look fairly flat to me. It's very flat between my house and the lake (2 hours) and I've moved the boat with my 1991 Dodge minivan. It's about 3600 pounds without the outboard. Setup/down issues are similar to the H26. ...RickM...
try one
Of course the best advice is simply for you to try sailing a H216 and determine for yourself if you like it. Most dealers (worth your money) will occationally have a demo day where people can go out in a boat. If you prefer to buy used (directly from an owner), then the seller would hopefully be willing to take you out for a sail as well.
Of course the best advice is simply for you to try sailing a H216 and determine for yourself if you like it. Most dealers (worth your money) will occationally have a demo day where people can go out in a boat. If you prefer to buy used (directly from an owner), then the seller would hopefully be willing to take you out for a sail as well.
Thanks
Jeff - Thanks for the realistic setup estimate. Just having everything be smaller and lighter is probably a help. I should heed your suggestion to try one before buying. Alan - If you'd like some first hand info about the lake and homes, get in touch with me via email at ronmregisterzeroone@hotmail.com. (Change the numeric words to the actual numbers for my proper email. Trying to avoid the spambots.) Sailing on the lake is very nice, especially if you like to swim. But I do miss the consistent winds of the Jersey shore. Rick - I've considered a 23.5 or 240, but don't think either would be enough of a reduction in work. Your "finicky" comment gives me pause, since we are used to the "big boat". I do most of my sailing with an autopilot to free up my hands for the sheets. Hopefully I can do this on a 216 as well. The road between the dock and my house is very hilly and using anything smaller than my GMC Envoy may be pushing it. Not being tied to a big vehicle is one of the motivating factors here.
Jeff - Thanks for the realistic setup estimate. Just having everything be smaller and lighter is probably a help. I should heed your suggestion to try one before buying. Alan - If you'd like some first hand info about the lake and homes, get in touch with me via email at ronmregisterzeroone@hotmail.com. (Change the numeric words to the actual numbers for my proper email. Trying to avoid the spambots.) Sailing on the lake is very nice, especially if you like to swim. But I do miss the consistent winds of the Jersey shore. Rick - I've considered a 23.5 or 240, but don't think either would be enough of a reduction in work. Your "finicky" comment gives me pause, since we are used to the "big boat". I do most of my sailing with an autopilot to free up my hands for the sheets. Hopefully I can do this on a 216 as well. The road between the dock and my house is very hilly and using anything smaller than my GMC Envoy may be pushing it. Not being tied to a big vehicle is one of the motivating factors here.
Sorry to hear you are downsizing.
We need all the 26 sailors we can get. I guess I have the best of both worlds. I sail my 26 in NJ during the summer and my friends 26 on Charlotte Harbor in FL during the winter. Are there any townhouses on your lake or near a marina? We may be looking to downsize our NJ house. It will be nice to hear from you again. Bob "Gravyboat"
We need all the 26 sailors we can get. I guess I have the best of both worlds. I sail my 26 in NJ during the summer and my friends 26 on Charlotte Harbor in FL during the winter. Are there any townhouses on your lake or near a marina? We may be looking to downsize our NJ house. It will be nice to hear from you again. Bob "Gravyboat"
Gravyman
Bob - I haven't been on the forum much the past couple of years. Didn't know if you were still in the area. Glad to hear you are. Yes, there are some condo/townhouse type developments on Wallenpaupack. Give me a call or use the email instructions I left for Allan to get in touch. The 26 has been a GREAT boat. My wife is having a real hard time with the idea of downsizing, but I'm looking to make launching, retrieving and towing a little easier. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Bob - I haven't been on the forum much the past couple of years. Didn't know if you were still in the area. Glad to hear you are. Yes, there are some condo/townhouse type developments on Wallenpaupack. Give me a call or use the email instructions I left for Allan to get in touch. The 26 has been a GREAT boat. My wife is having a real hard time with the idea of downsizing, but I'm looking to make launching, retrieving and towing a little easier. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Here's my take on the H216 downsize
The H216 is the biggest boat I have ever sailed (I up sized!) and I totally love it. It is fast, very responsive, and a dream to sail. I am the only lead dragger in my sailing club...others have Thistles, Hobie cats, Nacras, etc...all very fast boats. The guys in my club are amazed at how well I do racing them. My brother-in-law (Stinkpot Mike) is my normal crew with my handicapped and lovely wife as main cockpit ornament. Mike and I have gotten the setup pretty much down to a science and it takes about 20 minutes from arrival to splash. Add 5-7 minutes if we rig the spinnaker. Take down is longer...about 30 minutes. We are working on reducing this time. The greatest time consumer is rolling the main (I keep my main rolled then folded in half in an H170 mainsail bag). I hate stuff bags for sails...especially sails with battens...although a stuff bag has to be a lot faster. I did add some hardware like Ball-Lok Quick Release pins and other stuff to reduce the setup/knockdown time. Towing is a breeze. Full weight with loaded boat and my 9.9 hp outboard is about 2000#. You could probably drag it with a 4-banger! I have a 20 year old full size Bronco that doesn't even know the trailer is there. I love the massively large cockpit for day sailing. My wife can even lay down if needed. Handling is easy. I have rigged additional fair lead/cam cleat fixtures on the rails so I can run my jib sheets back where I can reach them from the tiller if it is just my wife and I. One drawback to such a light boat is that, if the wind is variable, someone is shuffling back and forth across the cockpit to keep the heel reasonable. This doesn't bother me too much as I usually have Mike doing the shuffling! Keeps him trim and in shape! We day sail only so the itty bitty cuddy and the massively large, uncluttered cockpit is perfect for us. If we overnight, I prefer a B&B... I would buy an H216 again in a heartbeat.
The H216 is the biggest boat I have ever sailed (I up sized!) and I totally love it. It is fast, very responsive, and a dream to sail. I am the only lead dragger in my sailing club...others have Thistles, Hobie cats, Nacras, etc...all very fast boats. The guys in my club are amazed at how well I do racing them. My brother-in-law (Stinkpot Mike) is my normal crew with my handicapped and lovely wife as main cockpit ornament. Mike and I have gotten the setup pretty much down to a science and it takes about 20 minutes from arrival to splash. Add 5-7 minutes if we rig the spinnaker. Take down is longer...about 30 minutes. We are working on reducing this time. The greatest time consumer is rolling the main (I keep my main rolled then folded in half in an H170 mainsail bag). I hate stuff bags for sails...especially sails with battens...although a stuff bag has to be a lot faster. I did add some hardware like Ball-Lok Quick Release pins and other stuff to reduce the setup/knockdown time. Towing is a breeze. Full weight with loaded boat and my 9.9 hp outboard is about 2000#. You could probably drag it with a 4-banger! I have a 20 year old full size Bronco that doesn't even know the trailer is there. I love the massively large cockpit for day sailing. My wife can even lay down if needed. Handling is easy. I have rigged additional fair lead/cam cleat fixtures on the rails so I can run my jib sheets back where I can reach them from the tiller if it is just my wife and I. One drawback to such a light boat is that, if the wind is variable, someone is shuffling back and forth across the cockpit to keep the heel reasonable. This doesn't bother me too much as I usually have Mike doing the shuffling! Keeps him trim and in shape! We day sail only so the itty bitty cuddy and the massively large, uncluttered cockpit is perfect for us. If we overnight, I prefer a B&B... I would buy an H216 again in a heartbeat.
Thanks Paul
Always encouraging to hear good reviews of a boat being considered. Odds are the 216 is what I want. The question is will the first mate be happy. ;-)
Always encouraging to hear good reviews of a boat being considered. Odds are the 216 is what I want. The question is will the first mate be happy. ;-)
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