HI i am about to buy a hunter 240, i have two young children who will sail with me, i am concerned about the boats stabilty the boat will be used on a lake,would like your advice.
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a little tender
I owned a H240 for two seasons and enjoyed it very much. It is tender and it will heel. We had a lot of fun and at times we could see blue water thru the cabin side windows. We all know that is not efficent sailing but I was new to sailing and didn't even know that you could and should reef the sail!
I owned a H240 for two seasons and enjoyed it very much. It is tender and it will heel. We had a lot of fun and at times we could see blue water thru the cabin side windows. We all know that is not efficent sailing but I was new to sailing and didn't even know that you could and should reef the sail!
M
Mark
Brendan
If this is your first yacht you are on the right track or tack. Yep they can be tender but isn't that the way you treat your children. Reef early and enjoy the splender of sailing with your family!
If this is your first yacht you are on the right track or tack. Yep they can be tender but isn't that the way you treat your children. Reef early and enjoy the splender of sailing with your family!
B
brendan
many thanks for your reply
Many thanks for your replies,i was looking to put my mind at rest ,i have sailed before my wife has,ent don,t want to frightenthe lives out of them,so you would recommend the boat,is the keel a nightmare to lift.
Many thanks for your replies,i was looking to put my mind at rest ,i have sailed before my wife has,ent don,t want to frightenthe lives out of them,so you would recommend the boat,is the keel a nightmare to lift.
T
Tim
I just sold my 240
I had a 240 and bought new in 2001. Great boat, well made and lots of room for the size. This boat is great because of the swing keel and trailerability. I have three kids and they fit well on the boats for 1 nighters. This boat was perfect for 10-15 mph winds too. That said, the boat is tender as previously expressed. In the Kansas 20-30 mph winds, I just couldn't sail her and enjoy it. In my opinion, this is when sailing gets fun - when the wind blows hard. This boat is not good for strong winds because of the lack of weight. When you reef, to me you lose the fun and speed because in Kansas, we get more wind gusts so when you reef you slow the boat down so you can handle the gusts but kind of putt around the rest of the time. I just got a 25.5 with fixed keel. Its an older model but much better in all weather conditions and much more stable for the kids and wife. The wife didn't like the "tippy" conditions of the 240 boat but can handle this boat with its 1500 lb. keel. Overall, the 240 is great value and well made. I offer this feedback because having kids and a wife on the boat is fun, and important that they feel safe. In high winds, it is different on the 240 than on other heavier boats. Many fixed keel used boats with trailers from the 80's can be found with more amenities and add ons for half the cost of a recently manufactured 240 or 260. Food for thought...
I had a 240 and bought new in 2001. Great boat, well made and lots of room for the size. This boat is great because of the swing keel and trailerability. I have three kids and they fit well on the boats for 1 nighters. This boat was perfect for 10-15 mph winds too. That said, the boat is tender as previously expressed. In the Kansas 20-30 mph winds, I just couldn't sail her and enjoy it. In my opinion, this is when sailing gets fun - when the wind blows hard. This boat is not good for strong winds because of the lack of weight. When you reef, to me you lose the fun and speed because in Kansas, we get more wind gusts so when you reef you slow the boat down so you can handle the gusts but kind of putt around the rest of the time. I just got a 25.5 with fixed keel. Its an older model but much better in all weather conditions and much more stable for the kids and wife. The wife didn't like the "tippy" conditions of the 240 boat but can handle this boat with its 1500 lb. keel. Overall, the 240 is great value and well made. I offer this feedback because having kids and a wife on the boat is fun, and important that they feel safe. In high winds, it is different on the 240 than on other heavier boats. Many fixed keel used boats with trailers from the 80's can be found with more amenities and add ons for half the cost of a recently manufactured 240 or 260. Food for thought...
M
Mark
Brendan
I have a 260 and the keel is very easy to pull up by hand while she is moving however when at rest I find using the winch makes it a little easier. One thing I never do is let the keel crash down. I always ease the keel down gently. You will find that the 240 is very similar to the 260 and sure they are a little tender but treat her like that. Reef early and sail flat thus sail best. A fantastic way to intoduce your family to sailing. The worst thing that can happen is to scare the wife and kids so keep an eye on the ripples around you and try to predict gusts. Often a good idea is to give the main sheet to the missus and let her controll the power in the main. That way she will gain confidence in knowing that she can controll the amount of heel. My wife was simply scared stiff of heeling but after time she learnt that by using the mainsheet she was in complete controll. Keep all the crew active doing this and that and by doing so they will fall in love with probably the greatest form of recreation. Although I guess I am a little biased. Just another tip and that is to keep the level on board low key. I make it a policy of never never shouting. Firm confident commands grow understanding. Have fun I look forward to future posts of your families adventure.
I have a 260 and the keel is very easy to pull up by hand while she is moving however when at rest I find using the winch makes it a little easier. One thing I never do is let the keel crash down. I always ease the keel down gently. You will find that the 240 is very similar to the 260 and sure they are a little tender but treat her like that. Reef early and sail flat thus sail best. A fantastic way to intoduce your family to sailing. The worst thing that can happen is to scare the wife and kids so keep an eye on the ripples around you and try to predict gusts. Often a good idea is to give the main sheet to the missus and let her controll the power in the main. That way she will gain confidence in knowing that she can controll the amount of heel. My wife was simply scared stiff of heeling but after time she learnt that by using the mainsheet she was in complete controll. Keep all the crew active doing this and that and by doing so they will fall in love with probably the greatest form of recreation. Although I guess I am a little biased. Just another tip and that is to keep the level on board low key. I make it a policy of never never shouting. Firm confident commands grow understanding. Have fun I look forward to future posts of your families adventure.
K
keel_haul
Thoughts on reefing
I bought a used 240 last year. The first thing I did was to take the mainsail to the sailmaker and get a second reef put in it. Then I put on a Boomkicker Vang and removed the topping lift to allow me to have two reef lines led through the clew grommets on the main for heavy wind conditions. I did two more things that may be more than you want to do. I put on Lazy Jacks and I have just put on a removable, mid-cockpit rope traveler (not easy to do). I have sailed for 65 or more years and now sail a lot alone. I have owned many boats. Take a hard look at a second reef and a Boomkicker. Bite the bullet and do it. Happy sailing!
I bought a used 240 last year. The first thing I did was to take the mainsail to the sailmaker and get a second reef put in it. Then I put on a Boomkicker Vang and removed the topping lift to allow me to have two reef lines led through the clew grommets on the main for heavy wind conditions. I did two more things that may be more than you want to do. I put on Lazy Jacks and I have just put on a removable, mid-cockpit rope traveler (not easy to do). I have sailed for 65 or more years and now sail a lot alone. I have owned many boats. Take a hard look at a second reef and a Boomkicker. Bite the bullet and do it. Happy sailing!
K
keel_haul
the second reef
When the sailmaker puts in the second reef he should put little slots along the foot of the sail near the boom so the reefs can be pulled down at the clue efficiently. There is not a slot for the first reef but it is the proper way to do the job and not much added expense.
When the sailmaker puts in the second reef he should put little slots along the foot of the sail near the boom so the reefs can be pulled down at the clue efficiently. There is not a slot for the first reef but it is the proper way to do the job and not much added expense.
B
brendan
would like more advice on the 240
I am very close to buying the 240 still a little concerned about it,s stability,should this put me off buying it,s a 01 boat lovely condition at a good price.
I am very close to buying the 240 still a little concerned about it,s stability,should this put me off buying it,s a 01 boat lovely condition at a good price.
Summary thoughts
The 240 is tender. That means it will move rather quickly to heel (10 to 20 degrees) in a gust,, or when the wind picks up. Sailing on a small lake in the Midwest like Tim in Kansas, you live in a world of gusts, with the best sailing often just before the thunderstorm arrives. Steady, variable winds are more the rule in Lake Erie in the summer. That means there is time to reef as the winds pick up. Also, we seldom see in winds in the 20 to 30 knot range. (Maybe twice in 30+ days of sailing last year.) Reefing early _will_ dramatically reduce heeling. So will easing the traveller or the mainsheet. All these actions are good sailing technique, because no boat, including the 240 sails faster heeled beyond 20 degrees. While the 240 is initially tender, there is no danger of it going over from the action of the wind. That would take broadside breaking waves of around 10 feet. Such waves take a long fetch (stretch of water) and at least 12 hours to build up, so you will have planty of time to get back into port. So with minimal precautions, the 240 will take care of you and your family while cruising a coast, or lake. So what kind of winds will yo be sailing in? If they are more the steady, variable type, the 240 will work fine for you. David Lady Lillie
The 240 is tender. That means it will move rather quickly to heel (10 to 20 degrees) in a gust,, or when the wind picks up. Sailing on a small lake in the Midwest like Tim in Kansas, you live in a world of gusts, with the best sailing often just before the thunderstorm arrives. Steady, variable winds are more the rule in Lake Erie in the summer. That means there is time to reef as the winds pick up. Also, we seldom see in winds in the 20 to 30 knot range. (Maybe twice in 30+ days of sailing last year.) Reefing early _will_ dramatically reduce heeling. So will easing the traveller or the mainsheet. All these actions are good sailing technique, because no boat, including the 240 sails faster heeled beyond 20 degrees. While the 240 is initially tender, there is no danger of it going over from the action of the wind. That would take broadside breaking waves of around 10 feet. Such waves take a long fetch (stretch of water) and at least 12 hours to build up, so you will have planty of time to get back into port. So with minimal precautions, the 240 will take care of you and your family while cruising a coast, or lake. So what kind of winds will yo be sailing in? If they are more the steady, variable type, the 240 will work fine for you. David Lady Lillie
B
brendan
hi david
Hi David i would be sailing on the river Shannon and it,s lakes,huge area of water with lot,s of pub,s scattered all over the lakes,winds can be anything from 10 to 30 knots,if you were caught out would the boat be able for it.
Hi David i would be sailing on the river Shannon and it,s lakes,huge area of water with lot,s of pub,s scattered all over the lakes,winds can be anything from 10 to 30 knots,if you were caught out would the boat be able for it.
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