I've got 3 young children and a wife. I'd like to get a 212 someday. I like its large cockpit - for seating the family while sailing, its open transom - for swimming and playing, and the cabin - for getting out of the sun and taking naps. The things I question are: looking at the smooth round bottom and big main sail, is it tender in gusts? 2300 lbs for boat and trailer is pushing the limits of my tow vehicle, what's the real expected tow weight after motor, fuel, and gear? How easy is it really to rig? Is the mast raising system needed? How tall is the mast? I can raise my 17' daysailor's mast easily my self with no raising apparatus (don't know the length of the mast off hand). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, --Hise
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check reviews
You'll flind some owner reviews of the boat at: http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/index.tpl?fno=0 Just click on the 212, the scroll down and click on owner reviews. Good luck!
You'll flind some owner reviews of the boat at: http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/index.tpl?fno=0 Just click on the 212, the scroll down and click on owner reviews. Good luck!
I really, really like mine
First, some background upon which to qualify my opinion: This is my first boat. I have had it since Memorial Day 2001. I took an ASA sailing course at LightHouse Landing in KY in the middle of May, before which I had never sailed. I will say that the course and instructor provided me with a **great** foundation upon which to build. >> looking at the smooth round bottom and big main sail, is it tender in gusts? I have found the 212 to be quite predictable and managable in gusts. I'm still getting a feel for the boat but it doesn't seem tender at all. It also sails well under mail alone, BTW. >> 2300 lbs for boat and trailer is pushing the limits of my tow vehicle, what's the real expected tow weight after motor, fuel, and gear? I don't have a tow vehicle at all but, obviously, it depends on how much gear, etc. You should be able to approximate most of the weights pretty closely and you should be able to get a good bit of the gear off the hitch and into your vehicle. >> How easy is it really to rig? Is the mast raising system needed? How tall is the mast? I can raise my 17' daysailor's mast easily my self with no raising apparatus (don't know the length of the mast off hand). I'm not sure what the mast raising system is, exactly. I assume it is a winch and cable attached from the trailer to the mast. The mast is 31' (from the waterline, I think). The dealer took me through the raising process so there were two of us. I have the roller furling jib and we had to push a bit to get it attached. I will fully investigate a mast raising system (Hunter's or my own) before I get into trailering, if only for convenience. Otherwise, getting the mast up is a pretty straight forward operation without a lot of complications. > Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. The more I sail her the more I like her. I have a lot to learn but I couldn't be happier with the boat. You are probably right in thinking about the 212 for your stated needs. Find a dealer or owner that will let you test drive it. Good winds and happy sailing, Steve
First, some background upon which to qualify my opinion: This is my first boat. I have had it since Memorial Day 2001. I took an ASA sailing course at LightHouse Landing in KY in the middle of May, before which I had never sailed. I will say that the course and instructor provided me with a **great** foundation upon which to build. >> looking at the smooth round bottom and big main sail, is it tender in gusts? I have found the 212 to be quite predictable and managable in gusts. I'm still getting a feel for the boat but it doesn't seem tender at all. It also sails well under mail alone, BTW. >> 2300 lbs for boat and trailer is pushing the limits of my tow vehicle, what's the real expected tow weight after motor, fuel, and gear? I don't have a tow vehicle at all but, obviously, it depends on how much gear, etc. You should be able to approximate most of the weights pretty closely and you should be able to get a good bit of the gear off the hitch and into your vehicle. >> How easy is it really to rig? Is the mast raising system needed? How tall is the mast? I can raise my 17' daysailor's mast easily my self with no raising apparatus (don't know the length of the mast off hand). I'm not sure what the mast raising system is, exactly. I assume it is a winch and cable attached from the trailer to the mast. The mast is 31' (from the waterline, I think). The dealer took me through the raising process so there were two of us. I have the roller furling jib and we had to push a bit to get it attached. I will fully investigate a mast raising system (Hunter's or my own) before I get into trailering, if only for convenience. Otherwise, getting the mast up is a pretty straight forward operation without a lot of complications. > Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. The more I sail her the more I like her. I have a lot to learn but I couldn't be happier with the boat. You are probably right in thinking about the 212 for your stated needs. Find a dealer or owner that will let you test drive it. Good winds and happy sailing, Steve
212 or 240? Kids?
I have looked at the 212 and have been impressed. I can tell you, without a doubt, trailering should be no issue nor will the mast raising system. As the father if a 3-year-old I would be more concerned about the size of the boat for a family. The cockpit of our 240 is huge and our daughter loves to play in it and the cabin is JUST big enough for the 3 of us. If I could go again I would think about the 260 (or 290 if I were rich) for the amenities down below that a family/kids seem to need. Maybe we're spoiled.
I have looked at the 212 and have been impressed. I can tell you, without a doubt, trailering should be no issue nor will the mast raising system. As the father if a 3-year-old I would be more concerned about the size of the boat for a family. The cockpit of our 240 is huge and our daughter loves to play in it and the cabin is JUST big enough for the 3 of us. If I could go again I would think about the 260 (or 290 if I were rich) for the amenities down below that a family/kids seem to need. Maybe we're spoiled.
Trailering a h212
We've had our h212 for less than a year and just trailered it to the NC coast. We pulled it with a GMC Suburban and had no problem. I'm sure that if you match the gross and tongue weight of the boat and trailer with the vehicle you will have no problem. Our boat came with a pole and a block and tackle that is used to raise and lower the mast. It can be done by one person but I prefer to have a second person to help. It took my wife and I about 3 hours from the time we pulled up at the ramp to raise the mast, get the rest of the rigging set, launch the boat and get it into a slip. The reverse process also took about the same amount of time.
We've had our h212 for less than a year and just trailered it to the NC coast. We pulled it with a GMC Suburban and had no problem. I'm sure that if you match the gross and tongue weight of the boat and trailer with the vehicle you will have no problem. Our boat came with a pole and a block and tackle that is used to raise and lower the mast. It can be done by one person but I prefer to have a second person to help. It took my wife and I about 3 hours from the time we pulled up at the ramp to raise the mast, get the rest of the rigging set, launch the boat and get it into a slip. The reverse process also took about the same amount of time.
What are you towing with?
I can't think of a single tow truck/van that has under a 5000lb towing rate. Are you planning on pulling the boat with a car? If so, you will be suprised to find out the car doesn't have the gearing for it, weight to handle pulling a boat, or brakes to stop one. You either are misinformed about your tow'r, or you should look into a new tow'r. So what are you planning on towing with? Maybe I can help improve the current tow rating.
I can't think of a single tow truck/van that has under a 5000lb towing rate. Are you planning on pulling the boat with a car? If so, you will be suprised to find out the car doesn't have the gearing for it, weight to handle pulling a boat, or brakes to stop one. You either are misinformed about your tow'r, or you should look into a new tow'r. So what are you planning on towing with? Maybe I can help improve the current tow rating.
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