Hunter 18 for Disabled Sailing ???

[SailAnyWay]

We are a non-profit sailing program located in Wisconsin that provides sailing for people with disabilities. We currently have a Cape Dory Typhoon at one location but are looking to add another boat at another location. We are considering a new Hunter 18. This will fit our budget, sailing waters, in/out/mast stepping etc. - The problem is we will have ice on our sailing waters until May so can not test one for stability.
Does anyone know of a disabled program or boat owner in a wheelchair that uses a Hunter 18? We look for stability. We will build an adaptive seat to hold the sailor (usually paralyzed from the waist down) but our sailors can not switch to the high side after a tack. We will always have at least one sailor on the low side. Many of our sailors are 220 pounds plus.
If you can steer us to anyone that would be greatly appreciated.

Mike
Volunteer for SailAnyWay.org

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Contact Greg, director of sales at Marlowe Hunter, to see if he can provide any imput. Would you be planning on the wheel chair in the cockpit. As for the Hunter 18, it is more stable than some but remember standing on one side certainly does not help regarding stability with any daysailor. This is not a plastic boat but all fiberglass.. Have you ever dealt with the Shake A Leg Foundation. Not sure if it is still operating but helped me as a dealer with disabled on larger boats as a dealer..

 

[SailAnyWay]

Thanks for Ideal 18 for Disabled Reply

Hey,
Thanks for the reply. We are familiar with Shake a Leg and most of the larger clubs. None sail the Ideal 18 that we know of. I have also placed a request into Marlow-Hunter. I received a reply that they were attending a boat show so may not hear back from them for a bit.

Regarding your question about wheelchairs: We already have lifts built into the docks at all of our facilities (similar to the Hoyer type lift). Each of the sailors is fitted with a sling and lifted out of their wheelchair by a volunteer. The boat has an adapted seat in the cockpit that supports them sideways and keeps them in place when on the high side during the heel. They are always sitting in the cockpit not up on the rail. This leads to my question: If they are sitting in the cockpit and weigh 240+ but we have another 240#'r on the other side and an able-bodied person that can go high will the boat still be solid. We are not concerned about the affect on performance. We would also probably keep the rudder down even going downwind.

Mike

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You are correct about balancing the weight on both sides and of course you would not be heeling over like most would. Five people at most or three at most. I wouild ask what the boat is designed to carry weight wise. Ask Eddie Breeden at Marlowe Hunter as he should have those stats. Hope this helps.

 

[Jackdaw]

Mike,

Sounds like a great program. Here at the Wayzata YC and the WCSS the adoptive programs use Sonars. These boats have deep cockpits and are immensely stable. They often take chair-bound sailors. 23 feet long and can be found reasonably priced on the used market, and also new. I can put you on contact with the program director if you ever wanted to talk shop.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Thank you Jackdaw for the information too. I will remember that.

 

[Jim Seamans]

dave, check your pm

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Jim;

Was that before we spoke. Hope you had a safe journey back south little brother.