Well overall the boat is great and it is a perfect fit for my family. I pulled a tube for the first time yesterday and it did great. The ballast tank was empty with two 9 year old girls on a 2 person tube and the boat could easily hold about 13-14 kts, and it still had some throttle left. The handling of the boat was also very good, it didn't skid and it tracked straight with minimal wheel inputs. I did notice that it is very sensitive to where the weight is on the boat. If my wife goes forward the speed will increase, or if there is a lot of weight or people in the cockpit it has a hard time getting to top speed and the bow stays very high. The engine (75HP) has no problem getting the boat on plane, but it doesn't seem like the power trim has any authority. I am considering adding some fins to the engine to see if it is any better.I too am interested in the Hunter Edge 27 and wanted to know your thoughts on it after having it for a few months? Is there anything you don't like about it, or improvements you would like to have? How has the performance been? Has the boat held up ok? Your unbiased input would be greatly appreciated for my decision to purchase it. Thank you,
Ray
With the ballast tank empty the boat weighs about 5000#'s on the trailer. Plus it is a tandem axle trailer with disk brakes on each wheel. Most full size trucks can easily tow it; I have a k2500 Suburban it pulls it very easily - even a panic stop is really a non-event.The Hunter Edge 27 will require a truck with at least a Class 4 tow rating (7500 lbs)given its' weight with trailer so make sure for insurance reasons that your vehicle is rated to tow a load of that weight.
sorry about the bad grammer and typos, too much coffee. I'm not trying to sound like a pirate.Thanks, I fixed the headsail problem ok. Now the BIG mystery. Me toilets gut three lines running itno it and one waste tube running to the tank. i cant get water to fill my bowl for a flosh and I cant, nor can other people who have looked, figure out why. I dont see a valve that could be closed? It doesnt use the fresh water tank does it? I emailed Hunters tech support....no answer yet.
The Hunter rep told me the ball valve is closed and its located next to the waste holding tank. Go figure, I should have seen that.There is a valve that draws outside water for the toilet; check your manual to see which one it is. Also, concerning the valves - put lock-tite on all of the nuts holding the handles on. One of mine fell off, and the others were loose. Let me know what Hunter says about the toilet, because I am not totally sure that mine is working correctly.
So far I love me Edge. She does handle a little slow when turning the wheel, but maybe Im just used to a tiller after three years. Sails close hauled better than I expected, raising the mast was a snap and the interior is so roomy I still cant get over it. Trailer is one sweet machine too. Do yourself a favor and go for the WHOLE package, I did and it's worth the money. There is alot of freeboard though so the wind will push her around more than a Catalina 22 but thats also comparing apples to oranges. It's a nice Hybrid, don't let the other "true sailers" tease you. She handles nicely and I'm not trying to win the Americas Cup anyway.Thanks for the honest opinion, sounds like the boat for me. I have a Mac 26X and have had a blast with it for the last 4 years, however, I was never really impressed with the lack of quality for creature features and sail hardware. Hunter boats have always been in my opinion several steps above the Mac in quality and design. I have been looking to upgrade to a better trailerable sail boat and with you felt the Oden was way to expensive for what it is. Time to sell the Mac and get the Edge!
I also love my Edge. I tuned the rig a little and it seems to sail much more efficient. It won't break any speed records, but it is a safe stable boat. Another nice thing is, the boat is very balanced while sailing and with the slight amount of friction in the steering the boat with self steer very nicely. I let it self steer for about 20 minutes on Lake Huron and it did great; it held it's heading within about 10 degrees - I was very happy. I also had a chance to use it single handed and it was a breeze.Thanks for the honest opinion, sounds like the boat for me. I have a Mac 26X and have had a blast with it for the last 4 years, however, I was never really impressed with the lack of quality for creature features and sail hardware. Hunter boats have always been in my opinion several steps above the Mac in quality and design. I have been looking to upgrade to a better trailerable sail boat and with you felt the Oden was way to expensive for what it is. Time to sell the Mac and get the Edge!
heli_av8r do you have a jabsco flushing toilet installed or the port-a-potty? I cant find my bowl water intake hose end to turn on the ball valve like Hunter tech support told me to. I simply cannot locate the hose or thru-hull point back in the stern? Any ideas? The bowl has a water draw-in line running to it. They said the ball valve for the hose was next to the waste holding tank under the cockpit and I do NOT see it. When I pump the head and try to bring in water, nothing comes into the bowl, I have only pumped maybe 3-4 times and then quit. Do I have to keep pumping longer than that to draw in water?I also love my Edge. I tuned the rig a little and it seems to sail much more efficient. It won't break any speed records, but it is a safe stable boat. Another nice thing is, the boat is very balanced while sailing and with the slight amount of friction in the steering the boat with self steer very nicely. I let it self steer for about 20 minutes on Lake Huron and it did great; it held it's heading within about 10 degrees - I was very happy. I also had a chance to use it single handed and it was a breeze.
I don't know the brand, but it is marine flushing toilet with a holding tank; I really haven't had any problems with it. Check your owner's manaul for the location of that valve, and I am pretty sure that they are labeled. Next time I am on my boat I will check.heli_av8r do you have a jabsco flushing toilet installed or the port-a-potty? I cant find my bowl water intake hose end to turn on the ball valve like Hunter tech support told me to. I simply cannot locate the hose or thru-hull point back in the stern? Any ideas? The bowl has a water draw-in line running to it. They said the ball valve for the hose was next to the waste holding tank under the cockpit and I do NOT see it. When I pump the head and try to bring in water, nothing comes into the bowl, I have only pumped maybe 3-4 times and then quit. Do I have to keep pumping longer than that to draw in water?