How big do I need. I have a family of six, 2 adults and four children in grade school. I would like the biggest to meet my needs, yet the smallest possible because of financial concerns. As you know, a 30 with an inboard is more $ then a 24 with an outboard. I plan to use the boat for day sailing only in the Great Lakes, probably staying with shore in site on Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie. I might want to trailer from time to time to Lake Michigan. I would like a boat big enough to hold all six of us. When the kids get to much sun or are fighting, some can go below deck to chill out or nap. At best, knowing that it might be cramped, I may want to stay overnight on the boat. We currently live in a house with only one bathroom, which is not a problem for us. We have a camper that only has one bathroom (it does have four bunk beds for the kids and a queen for us. I know I wont get that in a 24 foot Hunter. Hopefully you can see where I am coming from. Please help, What size do I need "at least". Thank you one and all.
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Boat size
Robert The boat show is at metro beach this month 22to the 26th take the family and check them out most will be in the water. Craig
Robert The boat show is at metro beach this month 22to the 26th take the family and check them out most will be in the water. Craig
Check out the Hunter 23.5
Robert, Have you looked at a Hunter 23.5? My wife and I have 3 sons, ages 2, 11, & 15 and have plenty of room on ours for overnight stays. We like the V-berth and the boys like to sleep under the cockpit on the queen size matress. There's also a starboard setee that someone under 5'6" could sleep on and a 4-footer on the port side. You should be able to find one for $8-$12K. Hope this helps. Scott
Robert, Have you looked at a Hunter 23.5? My wife and I have 3 sons, ages 2, 11, & 15 and have plenty of room on ours for overnight stays. We like the V-berth and the boys like to sleep under the cockpit on the queen size matress. There's also a starboard setee that someone under 5'6" could sleep on and a 4-footer on the port side. You should be able to find one for $8-$12K. Hope this helps. Scott
all i know!!!
i had my hunter 30 with 1 wife and 3 boys (3,4 & 12) and couldnt get my wife to stayover night. bought a hunter 34 this year (1984) and i think the hunter 30 would fit inside it. anyway for our family the 34 is the way to go. mike
i had my hunter 30 with 1 wife and 3 boys (3,4 & 12) and couldnt get my wife to stayover night. bought a hunter 34 this year (1984) and i think the hunter 30 would fit inside it. anyway for our family the 34 is the way to go. mike
That's a crew....
I suggest you try a few boats to see how everybody fits. Maybe a Hunter 26 / 260. We've got a Hunter 25.5 that might fit and sleep 2 + 4. Seems like we have a lot of space above and below deck. YMMV.
I suggest you try a few boats to see how everybody fits. Maybe a Hunter 26 / 260. We've got a Hunter 25.5 that might fit and sleep 2 + 4. Seems like we have a lot of space above and below deck. YMMV.
Sailing conditions.
When you visit that boat show Craig recommended, imagine where all your family members are going to be when the boat is heeling 10-20 degrees. Seems to me the more the wind blows the more crowded it gets in the cockpit. Mac
When you visit that boat show Craig recommended, imagine where all your family members are going to be when the boat is heeling 10-20 degrees. Seems to me the more the wind blows the more crowded it gets in the cockpit. Mac
Been there, done that...
Robert - I also have a family of 6, with kids at 10, 8, 6, & 4, sailing the Great Lakes. We started out 5 years ago with a Hunter 26 on Lake Michigan, trailering to Erie, Kentucky Lake, etc. Provided a lot of what you are asking for - trailerability, sleeping spaces for everyone, affordability. We found though that the darn kids keep growing and taking up more space. Thought that we might stop feeding them to prevent growth, but that didn't work, it just made them cranky. We talked (I talked, my wife listened) about moving up, and we found a 35.5 this summer that is grat from a space standpoint. True, we gave up trailerability, but we feel we gained a great deal in exchange. Was the 26 a good boat? Absolutely! Would I go back to it? Not likely. A common theme from most responses will likely be that each purchase is unique to the skipper/crew and their requirements and that there is no "one size fits all". The recommendations to go to a boat show and check them out is a great one. Or find a good broker and get on several different boats in your price range. (Remember to take your crew with you to check space, etc.) Eventually, you'll find one that just "feels" right, and you'll know from there which way to go. Good luck, fair winds, and calm seas - T J
Robert - I also have a family of 6, with kids at 10, 8, 6, & 4, sailing the Great Lakes. We started out 5 years ago with a Hunter 26 on Lake Michigan, trailering to Erie, Kentucky Lake, etc. Provided a lot of what you are asking for - trailerability, sleeping spaces for everyone, affordability. We found though that the darn kids keep growing and taking up more space. Thought that we might stop feeding them to prevent growth, but that didn't work, it just made them cranky. We talked (I talked, my wife listened) about moving up, and we found a 35.5 this summer that is grat from a space standpoint. True, we gave up trailerability, but we feel we gained a great deal in exchange. Was the 26 a good boat? Absolutely! Would I go back to it? Not likely. A common theme from most responses will likely be that each purchase is unique to the skipper/crew and their requirements and that there is no "one size fits all". The recommendations to go to a boat show and check them out is a great one. Or find a good broker and get on several different boats in your price range. (Remember to take your crew with you to check space, etc.) Eventually, you'll find one that just "feels" right, and you'll know from there which way to go. Good luck, fair winds, and calm seas - T J
I looked at the Hunter 260
I have 2 kids and a wife we ended up getting a 85 Hunter 34 because of the room. Sails great too. For us also the Hunter 34 was the way to go.
I have 2 kids and a wife we ended up getting a 85 Hunter 34 because of the room. Sails great too. For us also the Hunter 34 was the way to go.
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