hunter-26 or hunter 28

[nick]

I am retiring and moving to New Bern, NC. I decided on a 94-96 Hunter-26 as a good first boat, until we saw a Hunter 280 at a marina and fell in love. I wasn't planning on working, but is the 280 more costly to own compared to the 26? I was hoping not to work but maybe work part time. Should I go out and buy the 26 and enjoy sailing or wait a year until we are living in New Bern. Thanks, Nick

 

[Jack]

Costs

If you are going to keep the boat in a slip then I doubt the differnce in cost would be much more than $800 per year if that. That does not include the cost difference in boats. I would also look at the 28.5 85-88 and the 28 89-9?. These are bigger boats than the 280 and have been very well received over the years. A nice 28.5 could be had for 20-21K or perhaps less.

 

[Jim McCue]

Costs 101

Cost are a function of length, insurance and maintenance.Costs are by season or annual contract and on a per ft. basis and sometimes an added charge for an extra wideberth. You can find out from the local marinas what the per ft costs are in your area.Insurance- You may need to get a marine surveyor to attest to the insurance company to the condition of the boat at purchase/haulout. Especially on an older boat. Hull insurance has different mimits on sailing areas (ocean, bay river etc) in policy. Damage insurance usually has a 1% min.(of insured value) deductible and climbs as a multiple of that for a deduced rate. You may need to cross reference you home owners limits and possible be forced into a higher insured liab value in order to keep an umbrella policy on the homeowner liability without being gapped.Maintenance- Figure a haul out every other year. Marine Paint can run you 150 /- 30 for a 26-28.5 ft boat for ablative paint. Labor and cost of haulout, power wash, bocking and possible demurage extra. Beer, toys(GPS), radio, add-ons, safety equipment, engine filters, implellers, hose replacement and the like are extra.Go figure...Jim McCue

 

[Ray Bowles]

Nick, We recently bought a 95 H26 which is a

beautiful looking and sailing boat. It is the largest towable boat in the Hunter line and is a water ballast. The new 260 is basically the same boat with the 270 being a inboard diesel powered version of the 260. The Hunter trailer was included in the price of our boat.The cost of maintaining the 26/260 boat with its outboard engine vs. the diesel inboard probably favors the outboard, and, there is no diesel fuel smell!The 280 is a whole new ball game.We sail on a 130 mile long fresh water lake and the 26 wb is perfect. Almost all of our weekly trips are 3 to 5 days long as we are retired.If I was sailing on/in sailwater and didn't need to tow the boat the 3 times yearly when we visit other large bodies of water I would buy the largest conventional keel Hunter I could afford. No towing!We both like the 26 much better that the 260. Tiller and sternrail seats are a MUST. We also have a marine head with a 20 gallon holding tank and I consider that a must also. Packing a loaded porta-poo is a disaster.RayS/V Speedy