Hunter 240 Too Light in Rough Water

[Bob Blackmon]

I sail Lake Ponchartrain, a very shallow lake, averages about 12 to 15 feet. In a stiff wind water gets very choppy, often with 4+ ft waves. In these conditions the 240 bounces around as though it were a fishing cork. Anyone attempted to correct this problem, short of buying a heavier boat? Any way to add weight? Any way to convert the center board to a fixed keel. As you know the 240 is water ballast.

 

[Jim Logan]

Sorr, Get a Bigger Boat

The problem you mention is the reason I went from a very nice 23 ft ODay to a hunter 33 - even that seems too small on some days on lake Ponchartrain. It is just a function of the size and "squareness" of the waves. I learned I could sail my 23 ODay only when the wind was from certain directions and speeds, and the ODay was heavier and had a stub keel with a 5' centerboard. Ponchartrain can be a mean lake, and the 24 is not a rough water boat.

 

[Brad Amundson]

I didn't notice this past weekend

I did not notice bounciness on our first sail in 15 to 20 knots of wind.It was our first time with the boat. We have some bugs to work out; there was a definite learning curve as we probably need a checklist or something.We only had the main and ran it full with white caps. We had trouble with the battens fitting and could not reef used the rope for tieing up the excess main to hook up the boom vang. (we were missing parts) As a scow sailer who has tipped many boats over I do have to ask you folks can this boat be tipped over. We came with in 6" inchs of the windows and could have gone further. Good luck with the a bigger boat if you go to it, right now I have my hands full!!

 

[Bob Blackmon]

Can the 240 be tipped over?

To Brad who asked if the H240 could be tipped over (capsized?), I have been told by two Hunter emloyees that it cannot. I once had mine at 50 degrees which washed the windows on the starboard side. That was not by intent, I can assure you. Was the result of a sudden, very strong gust. Letting the mainsheet out corrected the heel immediately.