Hunter 26.5

Jun 2, 2007
403
Beneteau First 375 Slidell, LA
Which keel do you have? I wouldn't consider a wing keel optimum for racing, but you can still have a good time (and probably learn a lot). Wikipedia says average PHRF rating is 189, not bad for a 26 footer.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Always thought the 26.5 was the best looking small Hunter ever made. I recollect several people here saying they were disappointed with its windward performance, probably apt due to the small keel and draft. The lack of genoa tracks is an issue as well, but on the up-side the boat has a decent traveler. Too bad about that huge and heavy OB hanging off the back. Bad for weight disti as well as ruining the look of an otherwise good looking boat.

3/4 fractional boat will be slow downwind without a spinnaker.

You have to remember that Hunter has never made a race-boat; its just not in their DNA.
 
Dec 7, 2018
186
C&C 27 Mk V Vancouver
OB, spin, bolt on hrdwr - all details easily rectified. Boat to be campaigned single-handed.
Anyway found online convo where guy who used to race j24 bought one said it went better than expected especially upwind also that it liked weight forward d/w, another in same convo opined Hunter did so well with wing keel that's why so few were made with fin.
Mars did do Hunters keels so retrofit possible should be faster 'cause only 9" more draft should be lighter keel?
Considering this boat out of sheer desperation as so few decent boats to market and not possible to tap larger fleet south of border.
covid....meh....

Also in running...
Capri 22
Precision 23
And a SJ 7.7 w/worn out deck gelcoat (not just non-skid)
 
Last edited:
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
OB, spin, bolt on hrdwr - all details easily rectified. Boat to be campaigned single-handed.
Anyway found online convo where guy who used to race j24 bought one said it went better than expected especially upwind also that it liked weight forward d/w, another in same convo opined Hunter did so well with wing keel that's why so few were made with fin.
Mars did do Hunters keels so retrofit possible should be faster 'cause only 9" more draft should be lighter keel?
Considering this boat out of sheer desperation as so few decent boats to market and not possible to tap larger fleet south of border.
covid....meh....
Like I said, I like the boat.

Most Hunter's are shoal because Hunters were designed and built in a shoal-water sailing area. As a general rule, you see boats looking like they were designed to be sailed in the area where they were born.

The boat will sail to its handicap, or that number gets adjusted over time. So I would not worry about the keel, just sail fast and the rating takes care of itself. The only possible issue is in tight upwind racing, where shoal keel boats cannot hold their lane upwind. That can cost you huge time as you either get spat our, or have to tack out.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Does your 260 sail to its rating? There's a 25s out here. Pretty pricey.
It does in 8 knots plus. Lighter we suck. In 14+ we kill it. Its the nature of PHRF. One number for all conditions. We are heavier and wide, so slow in the light. Still we work it hard to do as well as can be. But in a breeze, watch out. Stable as crap and we plane. The boat was designed to sail in the Atlantic in Brittany. The trees grow up on a diagonal there. Not a light air venue!

standing-stones-in-brittany-a-deformed-tree-lying-by-the-force-of-the-wind-stands-in-front-of-...jpg

'
 
Jan 22, 2008
763
Hunter 340 Baytown TX
Like I said, I like the boat.

Most Hunter's are shoal because Hunters were designed and built in a shoal-water sailing area. As a general rule, you see boats looking like they were designed to be sailed in the area where they were born.

The boat will sail to its handicap, or that number gets adjusted over time. So I would not worry about the keel, just sail fast and the rating takes care of itself. The only possible issue is in tight upwind racing, where shoal keel boats cannot hold their lane upwind. That can cost you huge time as you either get spat our, or have to tack out.
I'm glad you like the boat Jackdaw. I have one in my driveway I bought new in 1987, never got around to selling it. I moved it there in 2002, I keep a good cover on it and climb aboard every couple months to check on it.
I keep telling myself when I retire, I'm going to clean it up and use it in the Wednesday night lake races. A J105 owner that crews for me on my 340 sometimes, had one and likes to talk about it.
I did add six feet of genoa track to the side decks, but never got around to getting a headsail bigger than the 110 that came with it. It may not be a great racer, but it has more interior and deck room than most boats under 30', and it still is, IMO, one of the best looking boats Hunter made.
I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a used boat in that size range.
 

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Jul 23, 2019
100
Hunter 18.5 Revelstoke
Which keel do you have? I wouldn't consider a wing keel optimum for racing, but you can still have a good time (and probably learn a lot). Wikipedia says average PHRF rating is 189, not bad for a 26 footer.
Educate me a bit here please, why are wing keels not favourable for racing?
 
Jun 2, 2007
403
Beneteau First 375 Slidell, LA
Educate me a bit here please, why are wing keels not favourable for racing?
Well, mostly because wing keels are specifically intended to reduce draft, which hurts upwind performance. Also, the wings add some wetted area, IOW friction or drag. Plus, when the boat is pitching in waves, the wings are not going straight through the water but also going up and down, adding a little more drag. Ideally you want a deep fin keel, preferably with a bulb to concentrate the weight low down (although when taken to extremes this may lead to structural complications).

Most boats get something like a 12 sec/mile credit under PHRF for having a wing keel, and I'm not sure even that is enough.
 
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