Is is safe/recommended to sail with the centerboard locked partially up when crossing over 3 or 4' foot deep spots? Is there a way to measure the angle of the centerboard (45 deg, 20 deg?) besides having line markings? Has anyone done this? Looking to purchase a 260, the only down factor seems to be the 6' foot draft which is quite deep considering the boat is rated for inshore sailing. Is there any upwind performance in light airs without the centerboard all the way down? Thanks
Hunter 260 centerboard sailing
- Thread starter CaptMatt
- Start date
Biggest draw back in crossing shallow areas is that you may have to lift the rudder a bit as well. When rudder is not fully down there are tremendous loads placed on the rudder head - go slow and be gentle on the tiller or wheel until your able to lock it down again. If you link the rudder to the outboard you can use the motor for some directional control in these conditions as well with minimal draft but control is quite sloppy.
The centerboard is not locked down into position but will come up crossing for example a sandbar and drop back down. You will really drift sideways with it in a locked up position not to mention the bouncing on the centerboard line and attachement going thru the waves. I was very much involved with these boats and also the top producer for Hunter. Feel free to pick my brains. Even if in a slip with a cross brace underwater where you have to pull up the centerboard, let it back down. Some will say otherwise but the decision is yours.
Thanks for the info. I read somewhere that the rudder only draws a little over 3 feet on the 260. So if I wanted to explore a 4 foot bay that is nearby in very light winds (under 8 knots), can't I just lock the centerboard 1/2 way down? Or should I consider getting a 3 foot draft wing keel boat for these areas? My worry is that if I do go aground on the wing keel, I could be stuck for awhile. With the 260, I could sail on any tide and if I did get stuck, just raise rudder and centerboard and motor out of there (which means I will use the boat more). But if the centerboard is delicate to damage even in light winds, maybe I should consider another boat.
Not sure what the sea floor conditions are where your are - if it's sand, mud or vegetation the Center board will just lift up on its own if it grounds - the rudder will also kick up if it is just tightened or has the plastic breakable pin in place - you don't want the rudder locked with a metal pin or tied down. If it's rocky then the centreboard can be damaged on the leading edge on a hard strike or if drifting/blowing sideways the centreboard/mount area could be damaged by lever type action. That being said you can lift the centerboard to something less than fully down or up - it doesn't lock down. This is often done on other swing board vessels - particularly on a run to get a bit more speed.
We have taken our boat into very skinny waters - in VERY light winds or under slow motoring. we have lifted the rudder to allow passage without dragging but you need to be very gentle on the wheel and steering loads can become very heavy if the rudder is not fully lifted. This has allowed us transit in waters less than two feet at times but it is transit - not sailing! And as I mentioned earlier with rudder and centerboard lifted, using the motor for directional control feels more like marginally controlled skidding rather than steering.
We have taken our boat into very skinny waters - in VERY light winds or under slow motoring. we have lifted the rudder to allow passage without dragging but you need to be very gentle on the wheel and steering loads can become very heavy if the rudder is not fully lifted. This has allowed us transit in waters less than two feet at times but it is transit - not sailing! And as I mentioned earlier with rudder and centerboard lifted, using the motor for directional control feels more like marginally controlled skidding rather than steering.
A 260 *can* be motored with the centerboard and rudder completely up using just the outboard for steering but it's a wild ride. I did, well tried, it once. I got where I was going but I imagine it was a funny sight. I have also tried steering with the rudder floating. It ain't easy at all.
I already own a 260 so I would be inclined to try going anywhere that seems interesting. If you buy it, I do suggest having a way to pump out the ballast tank so you can get out of being stuck. But once free fill the ballast tank immediately. And I mean *immediately.* Can you say bobbing bottle? Take your time in the shallows and don't get stuck if possible. And let us know where you go and how it works out for you.
I already own a 260 so I would be inclined to try going anywhere that seems interesting. If you buy it, I do suggest having a way to pump out the ballast tank so you can get out of being stuck. But once free fill the ballast tank immediately. And I mean *immediately.* Can you say bobbing bottle? Take your time in the shallows and don't get stuck if possible. And let us know where you go and how it works out for you.
There is no comment that would be sufficient at a time like this @Kermit
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Good info thanks Dave, Kermit, and TWalker. It is mostly soft bottom, sand and mud. Anywhere with rocks and reef where I would plan to go, the depth generally increases.
The boat sounds very versatile if properly used. I don't see anything else on the market that has the same equivalent accommodations with shoal draft at that price. The more expensive Seward 26RK is the other option for shoal draft, but I'd be afraid to bend that keel or break the trunk rudder since we mostly sail skinny water. At least with the H260, everything is kick-up so you can at least get home without too much major damage.
The boat sounds very versatile if properly used. I don't see anything else on the market that has the same equivalent accommodations with shoal draft at that price. The more expensive Seward 26RK is the other option for shoal draft, but I'd be afraid to bend that keel or break the trunk rudder since we mostly sail skinny water. At least with the H260, everything is kick-up so you can at least get home without too much major damage.
Regarding the centerboard and here is why many do not understand, first there is no way to lock a centerboard in place on the hunter water ballast boats in a sense of putting a pin in or locking bolt and so on. The centerboard is held up with a line on top of the board that makes in rotate upward and downward and the pressure of that line is knotted in the head of a fiberglass board creating stress in a sense and it bouncing up and down will wear out that head thus could break. Then you will replace the centerboard unless it ccould be fixed.
The H260 is great for getting through shallow spots. Keel down is 6' and rudder down is about 4.5'. The keel will pivot if hitting an obstruction like submerged treetops or shoals. After hanging up on a sandbar or two in Florida with the "locked" rudder I added a friction release mechanism that releases the rudder hold-down rope. This allows the rudder to kick up and float like it does on my catamaran if it catches an obstruction. With keel and rudder up you can get through 2' of water motoring if the water is flat. You can sail in shallow water but you will want to have your sail area significantly reduced. This is easily accomplished with the furling jib and utilizing the reef points on the main.
My friend's Seward is not nearly as adaptable as its rudder gets to be replaced when it hits obstructions and the winged keel makes a good anchor in mud. It also requires a lot more water to launch off of its trailer.
I have enjoyed my H260 for over 16 years and have been able to help pull a variety grounded sailboats out of the shallows. I have also had many gracious offers for assistance from larger sailboats after I intentionally "beach" the boat to explore islands. Once they realized all was OK they would head back to the deeper water. You will enjoy the H260 if you get one!
My friend's Seward is not nearly as adaptable as its rudder gets to be replaced when it hits obstructions and the winged keel makes a good anchor in mud. It also requires a lot more water to launch off of its trailer.
I have enjoyed my H260 for over 16 years and have been able to help pull a variety grounded sailboats out of the shallows. I have also had many gracious offers for assistance from larger sailboats after I intentionally "beach" the boat to explore islands. Once they realized all was OK they would head back to the deeper water. You will enjoy the H260 if you get one!