I am currently without a sail boat, a condition I intend to remedy in the very near future. I have had a 23.5 and need to know how it compares to the Hunter 26 in three ways: First, does the mast raising system work the same on the 26? If not, how much trouble is it, and how long does it take to raise the mast on a 26? Second, how deep does the water need to be to float a water balast 26? I intend to keep the boat at the lake with the mast raised, but I would like to trailer from time to time. Third, can the 26 be steered with the motor? (I am lousy at steering into a slip with the rudder.) The ability to steer with the motor is a major positive factor with the 23.5. Thanks and Merry Christmas. John
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Rick Engel
Hunter 26
John: You've come to the right place! Check the archives for indepth information on the pros
John: You've come to the right place! Check the archives for indepth information on the pros
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John Revenboer
steering the H26
The slips where I berth are always narrow and usually cross-current and cross-wind. Since the forward visibility on the H26 is somewhat restricted, I always back in to the docks with the outboard in reverse and the rudder in the raised position out of the water due to the shallow depth. The visibility is excellent, the boat steers well with just the outboard motor, and the boat is ready for an easy departure the next time I go sailing. If I am visiting another dock with enough depth to leave the rudder down, then I will have the motor in reverse and steer with the rudder.
The slips where I berth are always narrow and usually cross-current and cross-wind. Since the forward visibility on the H26 is somewhat restricted, I always back in to the docks with the outboard in reverse and the rudder in the raised position out of the water due to the shallow depth. The visibility is excellent, the boat steers well with just the outboard motor, and the boat is ready for an easy departure the next time I go sailing. If I am visiting another dock with enough depth to leave the rudder down, then I will have the motor in reverse and steer with the rudder.
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Ray Bowles
John, Buy the boat! We'll help with the rest.
We have a 95 H26 with the Hunter trailer. The boat trailers like a dream with a 3/4 ton pichup. A 1/2 ton truck is a bit of work. The boat comes with the mast raising short shrouds, and that, with the main sheet/block assembly is all you need to raise the mast. If the boat doesn't have this then call Hunter and get the shrouds. (it's got to be less that $100). My wife and I pull into the launch ramp and within 1 hour we will have raised the mast, rigged all sails, loaded the coolers and gear and launched the boat. We leave our boat in a slip that has about 10 feet of water. We leave her with the keel and rudder down. The boat doesn't steer very well with the rudder up. Actually, unless the rudder is FULLY down the boat doesn't steer worth a darn. We dock or leave by moving slowly and taking the OB in and out of gear and steering with the rudder. Since we don't have remote controls for the OB my wife runs it and I steer. Works well as long as you share the blame. The Hunter 26 is the best boat, for a reasonable cost, a person could buy. It will gracefully teach you to sail, and will stomp anything in the neighborhood when you can sail, while allowing you to enjoy a very comfortable live aboard lifestyle. We are retired and sail our boat 3 to 5 days a week, every week from June to October and live aboard. We anchor or beach every night. We raise the centerboard and rudder and then stop about 100 feet off shore, drop the anchor, and back into the shore with the OB. About 15 feet from shore we shut down the OB, raise it, and beach. Run out an aft line and enjoy your nighty walk on the beach. Ray
We have a 95 H26 with the Hunter trailer. The boat trailers like a dream with a 3/4 ton pichup. A 1/2 ton truck is a bit of work. The boat comes with the mast raising short shrouds, and that, with the main sheet/block assembly is all you need to raise the mast. If the boat doesn't have this then call Hunter and get the shrouds. (it's got to be less that $100). My wife and I pull into the launch ramp and within 1 hour we will have raised the mast, rigged all sails, loaded the coolers and gear and launched the boat. We leave our boat in a slip that has about 10 feet of water. We leave her with the keel and rudder down. The boat doesn't steer very well with the rudder up. Actually, unless the rudder is FULLY down the boat doesn't steer worth a darn. We dock or leave by moving slowly and taking the OB in and out of gear and steering with the rudder. Since we don't have remote controls for the OB my wife runs it and I steer. Works well as long as you share the blame. The Hunter 26 is the best boat, for a reasonable cost, a person could buy. It will gracefully teach you to sail, and will stomp anything in the neighborhood when you can sail, while allowing you to enjoy a very comfortable live aboard lifestyle. We are retired and sail our boat 3 to 5 days a week, every week from June to October and live aboard. We anchor or beach every night. We raise the centerboard and rudder and then stop about 100 feet off shore, drop the anchor, and back into the shore with the OB. About 15 feet from shore we shut down the OB, raise it, and beach. Run out an aft line and enjoy your nighty walk on the beach. Ray
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Frank
steering linkage
For our 235 we connected a steering linkage bar between the rudder and the motor. Others have put pictures on this site of similar set ups. This system keeps the rudder and motor parallel so you can steer with the rudder without the prop hitting the rudder. It makes turning and backing a breeze. It is easy to do and well worth the effort.
For our 235 we connected a steering linkage bar between the rudder and the motor. Others have put pictures on this site of similar set ups. This system keeps the rudder and motor parallel so you can steer with the rudder without the prop hitting the rudder. It makes turning and backing a breeze. It is easy to do and well worth the effort.
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Mike Pajewski
I've had both.
John, I have first hand experience upgrading from the 23.5 to the 26. First off, everything is the same for raising and lowering the mast between the two. The only difference is the mast is heavier and longer in the 26, so you have to grunt a little more. There is some slight differences with the newer 260, but the basic concept is the same. Trailer launching is not a problem unless you get the fixed keel version. I have remote controls on my outboard, so it really limits how much the motor turns. I have not installed a linkage between the rudder and tiller, but it is something I plan for the future. Without remote controls, a tiller extension for the outboard would make it pretty easy to use it to help you steer. Avoid overpowering the boat. Many folks are putting four stroke 15 horse outboards and having problems with the motor mounts. The boat was designed for a two stroke 8 or 9.9. The big four stroke is too heavy. The 26 is lighht years ahead of the 23.5 in comfort and livability. You have almost standing headroom, depending on your height of course and an enclosed head. The 26 feels a little stiffer, although it has more windage, so it can be tricky to dock in a cross wind. Move up and you won't regret it. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
John, I have first hand experience upgrading from the 23.5 to the 26. First off, everything is the same for raising and lowering the mast between the two. The only difference is the mast is heavier and longer in the 26, so you have to grunt a little more. There is some slight differences with the newer 260, but the basic concept is the same. Trailer launching is not a problem unless you get the fixed keel version. I have remote controls on my outboard, so it really limits how much the motor turns. I have not installed a linkage between the rudder and tiller, but it is something I plan for the future. Without remote controls, a tiller extension for the outboard would make it pretty easy to use it to help you steer. Avoid overpowering the boat. Many folks are putting four stroke 15 horse outboards and having problems with the motor mounts. The boat was designed for a two stroke 8 or 9.9. The big four stroke is too heavy. The 26 is lighht years ahead of the 23.5 in comfort and livability. You have almost standing headroom, depending on your height of course and an enclosed head. The 26 feels a little stiffer, although it has more windage, so it can be tricky to dock in a cross wind. Move up and you won't regret it. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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Todd Steffen
sorry to change the subject,
but mike, did you go through with the new boat purchase? I think I remember you talking about stepping up last year, did that happen, and if so, what's the new one ? Also, we have a four Honda 8HP and it works great. I agree don't overpower. 8-9 is enough.
but mike, did you go through with the new boat purchase? I think I remember you talking about stepping up last year, did that happen, and if so, what's the new one ? Also, we have a four Honda 8HP and it works great. I agree don't overpower. 8-9 is enough.
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Ron Mehringer
Steering linkage pictures
I added a home made link between the ob and rudder and posted pics of the project in the photo forum. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?fno=0
I added a home made link between the ob and rudder and posted pics of the project in the photo forum. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?fno=0
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