Hunter 260 VS Hunter 25

[wetsocks]

I fell in love with the 260, and have been looking for one for a while, but now a 2008 Hunter 25 has come up and is batting her eyes at me. Does anyone have any comments about how the two compare? I know the 260 is water ballast VS shoal keel, lighter VS heavier for towing, etc.

I haven't been inside the 25 yet, but looks-wise, I think I like the 260 cabin design much better. Also think I like the cockpit design of the 260, but we shall see once I've played in it.

Was there a kerfuffle when the 260 and 240 were merged into the 25? Or was it seen as a good idea? Would love to know Crazy Dave's thoughts on the two designs.

 

[Benny17441]

All designs are compromises. I think the determinant factor is wether you intend to trailer the boat or berth it in a slip or mooring.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Besides the fact that one is more trailerable than the other, you need to get inside the Cherubini Hunter 25 design and see how it fits what you are looking for. Also, I would guess the price tag of the H25 would be significantly lower than the H260. Since the H260 is water ballasted, it will sail differently. The H25 also came with a deeper fin keel, which is much more efficient, especially to weather (sailing into the wind higher or closer to the wind) and it will be more stable because the lead weight is much lower in the water. The water (lighter than lead) is also high inside the water tank which is inside the hull, which means your righting moment is less and so the designer shortened the mast some to compensate for this to keep the combined effort of your head and mainsail lower. So, the beauty of the H260 is that it has a larger, more comfortable interior and cockpit and can be trailered behind a smaller tow vehicle because it is lighter with no water ballast. The downside is it can be more tender and because it has more freeboard, it get knocked around by the wind on a windy day when maneurvering it in a marina, for example. There is, but I cannot tell you when, a change when Hunter improved the H260 and it is vastly improved. Perhaps that is when they went from the Hunter 26 to the 260. That's my 2 cents.

 

[troutsmoustang]

I sold a 1997 H26 last year and brought a 2008 Hunter 25. Both are great boats, with the cockpit much not different. the 26 has a bigger inside, especially in the bathroom. The 25, in my opinion, sails better by being less tender. The put up and take down is about the same in amount of time. The good thing about the 25 is the forestay comes off so you can transport it better without the jib hanging off the front. The 25 is lighter and tows easy. The biggest difference to me is the 25 does not have that smell due that the 26 has. Plus, no center board line to change out or set while sailing. Hopes this helps. ds

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

When the Hunter 260 production ceased going to the 25, the 25 has a fixed shoal keel which comes with a mast raise system like the earlier Hunter water ballast boats. You are able to disconnect the forestay easier as it is much closer in to the stern with the mast down; however with the CDI system for jib furling, I found on both boats that the furler never needed to be removed as the CDI is also flexible due to construction. Both of the cockpits had about the same room and you can get wheel steering on both.

The 25 did have a few disadvantages over the 260. The cabin was a little smaller to include the head. The shoal keel 25 had to be turned into the wind when docking if the wind was coming from the port or starboard side and then turned straight at the last second like an airplane crabbing until touch down. Both are easy on and off. I hope this helps

 

[wetsocks]

Thanks all, those were great observations and helpful. I saw the interior of the 25 yesterday, but alas, I found it too small. I much prefer the 260.

 

[Kivalo]

I love my 260! For what I have used her for she has proven to be a good over all design. Easy to tow but well suited for overnights. I spent a month on Lake Ontario and another on Lake Michigan. Have done some long weekends and a week on Lake George. I find the boat to be perfect for my needs.

Brad
s/v KIVALO