Hey Folks, I'm looking at a Hunter 216 for sailing on the lake behind my restaurant and on the back bays around the Atlantic City area. This seems like a solid little boat to get out and knock around on (I have no interest in racing). I'd appreciate hearing your experiences with the 216 - good or bad and would you recommend this boat? My level of sailing is having completed The Annapolis Sailing School, crewing on a friends boat and doing a week long sail on the Chessapeake with a couple of experienced sailors. In other words I know enough to be dangerous and am looking to learn on this boat. Also does anyone know of a canvas shop in Jersey or down on the Chesapeake that makes a bimini for the 216. My wife has already had a minor case of skin cancer and I want to be able to keep her out of the sun as much as possible when sailing. Thanks in advance, Jim
Hunter 216 - Opinions Wanted
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I enjoy my 216. The boat really isn't suited for a bimini though. It would be problematic to find a useful place for one that does not interfere with either the gib sheets, the main sheet, or the long boom. Although, if you find a location, probably a lot of 216 owners would be interested in knowing how it worked out. My "bimini" is a large brim hat. You should like the boat as long as you don't want to sleep on the boat.
I enjoy my 216. The boat really isn't suited for a bimini though. It would be problematic to find a useful place for one that does not interfere with either the gib sheets, the main sheet, or the long boom. Although, if you find a location, probably a lot of 216 owners would be interested in knowing how it worked out. My "bimini" is a large brim hat. You should like the boat as long as you don't want to sleep on the boat.
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Lamar Sumerlin
H216 Opinion Provided
I agree with Jeff, the H216 is really not suitable for a bimini top. However, if you are willing to put a v-berth in the cuddy of the boat it will provide a great place for your wife to get out of the sun in comfort. I built a v-berth for mine with a minimum of expense and can provide information for you to do the same if interested. Even if you are not interested in a v-berth, the cuddy cabin can provide a reasonable place to get out of the sun with a little padding in the bottom of the boat. The boat is about the best large day sailor type boat you can find, especially for the money if you are interested in buying a new boat. It is very stable and one would have to go a long ways to turn it over while sailing.
I agree with Jeff, the H216 is really not suitable for a bimini top. However, if you are willing to put a v-berth in the cuddy of the boat it will provide a great place for your wife to get out of the sun in comfort. I built a v-berth for mine with a minimum of expense and can provide information for you to do the same if interested. Even if you are not interested in a v-berth, the cuddy cabin can provide a reasonable place to get out of the sun with a little padding in the bottom of the boat. The boat is about the best large day sailor type boat you can find, especially for the money if you are interested in buying a new boat. It is very stable and one would have to go a long ways to turn it over while sailing.
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Kris Burrows
Opinion
Jim, The H216 has worked great for me in deeper water. I have run into sand bar problems sailing in close to shore around the Chesepeake Bay. The swing keel is forgiving, but the design of the drop through rudder tends to grab the bar resulting in chipping of the rudder, and will bring you to a hult as sure as an aircraft carrier deck hook! I've sailed the in-land bays around Rehoboth Beach, DE and Ocean City, Md where it tends to get shallow with many sand bars. I imagine it would be similar sailing in the Atlantic City NJ area during low tide. I don't know how the H216 would fair. You could raise or lower the keel, but it would be rough going with the rudder. I love the design but it is unforgiving in shallow water. Hopefully you get get some info from 216 owners in your area. I'm also interested in a bim if somebody is successful in getting one designed. Good luck in your search.
Jim, The H216 has worked great for me in deeper water. I have run into sand bar problems sailing in close to shore around the Chesepeake Bay. The swing keel is forgiving, but the design of the drop through rudder tends to grab the bar resulting in chipping of the rudder, and will bring you to a hult as sure as an aircraft carrier deck hook! I've sailed the in-land bays around Rehoboth Beach, DE and Ocean City, Md where it tends to get shallow with many sand bars. I imagine it would be similar sailing in the Atlantic City NJ area during low tide. I don't know how the H216 would fair. You could raise or lower the keel, but it would be rough going with the rudder. I love the design but it is unforgiving in shallow water. Hopefully you get get some info from 216 owners in your area. I'm also interested in a bim if somebody is successful in getting one designed. Good luck in your search.
11 Opinions
The 11 reviews on this site at the link below will give you a number of opinions! David Lady Lillie
The 11 reviews on this site at the link below will give you a number of opinions! David Lady Lillie
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Gary Kuffner
Opinion Requested
Jim, You are where my wife and I were 2 years ago. We were looking for a small new keel boat to learn on and improve our skills. The H 216 met our list of musts and wants and the price is low enough. I find the boat fun to sail and think that it will allow me to move up to a bigger boat if I should choose to do so in the future. I have run my boat aground a few times (mainly because I didn't pay close enough attention to my chart) and each time I simply released the main, raised the keel and pulled up the rudder a bit - and sailed off. While it is easy to do I don't recommend making a habit of it. Initially we found the boat to be tender, but we quickly adapted. It is easy to control the boat by adjusting the sails, reef the main etc. to permit for more controlled sailing with novice sailors aboard. One of the things that I most appreciate it that the boat sails extremely well in light to moderate winds (5-20kph). I don't think a bimini top would work on the H216, - a dodger might but even that would present problems getting forward etc. I share your concern for the sun and have dealt with it using hats and very good sunscreen. If a bimini is a must have you'll probably have to consider a small cruiser 25-30' - but then you may have more problems sailing in shallow water. I don't consider the rudder a problem, you can easily pull it up 6" and the shock cord will keep it in place. In short I don't think that you'll be disappointed should you purchase a H216. This sight has lots of information on the H216 and members are always willing to share their knowledge. Happy sailing, Gary
Jim, You are where my wife and I were 2 years ago. We were looking for a small new keel boat to learn on and improve our skills. The H 216 met our list of musts and wants and the price is low enough. I find the boat fun to sail and think that it will allow me to move up to a bigger boat if I should choose to do so in the future. I have run my boat aground a few times (mainly because I didn't pay close enough attention to my chart) and each time I simply released the main, raised the keel and pulled up the rudder a bit - and sailed off. While it is easy to do I don't recommend making a habit of it. Initially we found the boat to be tender, but we quickly adapted. It is easy to control the boat by adjusting the sails, reef the main etc. to permit for more controlled sailing with novice sailors aboard. One of the things that I most appreciate it that the boat sails extremely well in light to moderate winds (5-20kph). I don't think a bimini top would work on the H216, - a dodger might but even that would present problems getting forward etc. I share your concern for the sun and have dealt with it using hats and very good sunscreen. If a bimini is a must have you'll probably have to consider a small cruiser 25-30' - but then you may have more problems sailing in shallow water. I don't consider the rudder a problem, you can easily pull it up 6" and the shock cord will keep it in place. In short I don't think that you'll be disappointed should you purchase a H216. This sight has lots of information on the H216 and members are always willing to share their knowledge. Happy sailing, Gary
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