I am looking through material on the 2000 Hunter 270 (260 w/9hp Inboard and Wheel Steering) and trying to decide on a new Hunter vs. a 1983 Catalina 30 in mint condition w/11 hp inboard diesel, for only 23k. I test sailed the Catalina and was very impressed with it. Questions: (1) List on a new Hunter is 40k with all options except trailer (I am not interested in trailering) Do the dealers discount? If so what can I expect. How pleased is everyone with the 270 (260) and how well does it handle costal day sailing? Does it sail well? Can 5 people spend the day comfortably on the boat? Does it use pressure or manual water system? Is there a shower? Is there room in the cockpit area with wheel steering? How good is the 9hp diesel inboard? Anything anyone could add would be appreciated.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
G
Gary Adams
I love the hunters
Bob, Sorry can't be of much help about the hunter to you. I own a 23. I have extensive experience on a 1975 catalina 30. I have a friend that owns one and have sailed it many times. He primarily sails on Lake Michigan. The boat handles rather well. The atomic inboard is ok, I am not real impressed with it in a head wind. We have had 8 people on the boat for about 12 hours at a time. It was very comfortable, even when some people became sick. I do like the beam of this boat. Lots of cabin room. I compared hunters to catalinas for the size I bought and liked the cabin room on the hunters more. From my research in the 30 ft size hunter has a little better cabin area. I would purchase the stern rail seats. Those things are wild. People fight over the seats, it's the best view in the house. It also frees up some space in the cockpit. I was looking at the 260 vs the catalina 30 myself. I had decided to purchase the Hunter. When I factored in the costs and that this would be my first mono hull, I decided to purchase a used 23 to gain some experience. I will be in the market next fall for the 260 or 270. Hunter was great when I contacted them. Answered EVERY question I had. Let me know what you purchase. Good luck.... Gary
Bob, Sorry can't be of much help about the hunter to you. I own a 23. I have extensive experience on a 1975 catalina 30. I have a friend that owns one and have sailed it many times. He primarily sails on Lake Michigan. The boat handles rather well. The atomic inboard is ok, I am not real impressed with it in a head wind. We have had 8 people on the boat for about 12 hours at a time. It was very comfortable, even when some people became sick. I do like the beam of this boat. Lots of cabin room. I compared hunters to catalinas for the size I bought and liked the cabin room on the hunters more. From my research in the 30 ft size hunter has a little better cabin area. I would purchase the stern rail seats. Those things are wild. People fight over the seats, it's the best view in the house. It also frees up some space in the cockpit. I was looking at the 260 vs the catalina 30 myself. I had decided to purchase the Hunter. When I factored in the costs and that this would be my first mono hull, I decided to purchase a used 23 to gain some experience. I will be in the market next fall for the 260 or 270. Hunter was great when I contacted them. Answered EVERY question I had. Let me know what you purchase. Good luck.... Gary
D
Dave Condon
General information
Bob; The Hunter 270 is nothing more than the Hunter 260 except it is a wing keel with a bilge area. you can get this either in an inboard diesel or outboard version. With the wing keel, you have a bilge area and a shower can be added. Also, the table can be lowered all the way as there is no centerboard trunk housing. The water system is a manual system; ;however, you can add the electric pumps or a foot pump versus the hand manaul pump system. The wheel is a plus over the tiller as the cost is much less than what was installed on the old Hunter 26 having installed about 12-14 systems. Also, you do not have to worry about the long tiller handle swinging back and forth into the cockpit seats. 5 people are comfortable and I do recommend the stern rail seats. The 9 hp Yanmar engine does cost alot but it is a very reliable engine. Generally, you do not get a heat exchanger on this one engine; therefore, you cannot get hot water unless you install a hot water heater and that is costly. I have been told you can add a heat exchanger but it is costly and does not do very well as I have heard. As for power, you have plenty of it. As I indicated earlier, you can go with an outboard but do not put on over a 9.9 as you will be overpowered and at full throttle, you will plow through the water. The apprecialbe difference noted on the boat inside would be the steps as you will be coming down over the engine housing with steps. Hunter does insulat their engine housings very well to keep down the noise but the loudest is generally a single banger. As for performance, I sailed both but primarlily the 260 water ballast. Intial heeling is lesser with the keel version but not much over the water ballast. The water ballast tends to settle down more with heeling over 5 degrees but most folks will never know it. As for cost, you may want to consider the outboard version if you are interested in the keel version to keep the cost down. Much depends on the commissioning, accessories, freight, etc. The Hunter 260 and 270 are two good choices. Only the 260 water ballast will be on display in Annapolis but the apprecialbe differences are the steps going into the cabin, bilge area on the 270 and of course the strut with prop if you go the inboard route. Happy sailing. Crazy Dave
Bob; The Hunter 270 is nothing more than the Hunter 260 except it is a wing keel with a bilge area. you can get this either in an inboard diesel or outboard version. With the wing keel, you have a bilge area and a shower can be added. Also, the table can be lowered all the way as there is no centerboard trunk housing. The water system is a manual system; ;however, you can add the electric pumps or a foot pump versus the hand manaul pump system. The wheel is a plus over the tiller as the cost is much less than what was installed on the old Hunter 26 having installed about 12-14 systems. Also, you do not have to worry about the long tiller handle swinging back and forth into the cockpit seats. 5 people are comfortable and I do recommend the stern rail seats. The 9 hp Yanmar engine does cost alot but it is a very reliable engine. Generally, you do not get a heat exchanger on this one engine; therefore, you cannot get hot water unless you install a hot water heater and that is costly. I have been told you can add a heat exchanger but it is costly and does not do very well as I have heard. As for power, you have plenty of it. As I indicated earlier, you can go with an outboard but do not put on over a 9.9 as you will be overpowered and at full throttle, you will plow through the water. The apprecialbe difference noted on the boat inside would be the steps as you will be coming down over the engine housing with steps. Hunter does insulat their engine housings very well to keep down the noise but the loudest is generally a single banger. As for performance, I sailed both but primarlily the 260 water ballast. Intial heeling is lesser with the keel version but not much over the water ballast. The water ballast tends to settle down more with heeling over 5 degrees but most folks will never know it. As for cost, you may want to consider the outboard version if you are interested in the keel version to keep the cost down. Much depends on the commissioning, accessories, freight, etc. The Hunter 260 and 270 are two good choices. Only the 260 water ballast will be on display in Annapolis but the apprecialbe differences are the steps going into the cabin, bilge area on the 270 and of course the strut with prop if you go the inboard route. Happy sailing. Crazy Dave
S
Stephen Ostrander
Hunter 28.5
Consider a Hunter 28.5. They have wheel steering, 18 hp Yanmar diesel, pressure hot water & heat exchanger, and are very reasonably priced for the amount of boat you get. Other considerations would be a 19.5 or 30 if money is no object.
Consider a Hunter 28.5. They have wheel steering, 18 hp Yanmar diesel, pressure hot water & heat exchanger, and are very reasonably priced for the amount of boat you get. Other considerations would be a 19.5 or 30 if money is no object.
S
Steve
Want to buy a mint 26?
My family and I (sdilling@sover.net) have just simply out grown our 1994 H26. We need a boat to live on over the summer for "long" distance cruises with the family (4) and friends. We have kept it in mint condtion and have gone many of trouble free miles on her..We are in New England, with the OEM Hunter trailer that could bring the boat anywhere. To support the next level of Hunter purchase we are selling her.. intial asking is $22,000 and we have added these features to the OEM boat since purchase: Electric start 15 HP Tohatsu long-shaft with remote control, 6 gallon tank, & alternator Hunter OEM Stern Rail Seats Full Sunbrella dodger treated with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard Sunbrella main sail cover treated with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard CDI Roller Furler Jib furler conversion with deep navy blue Sunbrella Rule Aqua Meter Saturn cockpit bulkhead mount compass Interior flush mount Standard Eclipse Plus VHF RG-8U coax with cable deck fitting at mast base & mast interior run Shakespeare squatty body mast top VHF antenna Windex 15 JSI made color coordinated custom cockpit cushions Sunbrella coordinated cockpit back cushions 15 feet of 5/16" galvanized anchor chain Assorted dock lines Shurflo pressure water with galley & head faucets Nauta 14.5 gallon flexible water tank Cockpit hide-away marine shower 2 - 12 volt power points, galley & cockpit 2 - Stainless fender holders on stern rail 2 - color coordinated 8" fenders & covers Teak magazine rack Teak paper towel rack Teak tooth brush rack Teak toilet tissue holder ** Main & Jib to "Doyle Vermont", spring 1999 for inspection, cleaning, and minor chafe and bolt rope repairs
My family and I (sdilling@sover.net) have just simply out grown our 1994 H26. We need a boat to live on over the summer for "long" distance cruises with the family (4) and friends. We have kept it in mint condtion and have gone many of trouble free miles on her..We are in New England, with the OEM Hunter trailer that could bring the boat anywhere. To support the next level of Hunter purchase we are selling her.. intial asking is $22,000 and we have added these features to the OEM boat since purchase: Electric start 15 HP Tohatsu long-shaft with remote control, 6 gallon tank, & alternator Hunter OEM Stern Rail Seats Full Sunbrella dodger treated with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard Sunbrella main sail cover treated with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard CDI Roller Furler Jib furler conversion with deep navy blue Sunbrella Rule Aqua Meter Saturn cockpit bulkhead mount compass Interior flush mount Standard Eclipse Plus VHF RG-8U coax with cable deck fitting at mast base & mast interior run Shakespeare squatty body mast top VHF antenna Windex 15 JSI made color coordinated custom cockpit cushions Sunbrella coordinated cockpit back cushions 15 feet of 5/16" galvanized anchor chain Assorted dock lines Shurflo pressure water with galley & head faucets Nauta 14.5 gallon flexible water tank Cockpit hide-away marine shower 2 - 12 volt power points, galley & cockpit 2 - Stainless fender holders on stern rail 2 - color coordinated 8" fenders & covers Teak magazine rack Teak paper towel rack Teak tooth brush rack Teak toilet tissue holder ** Main & Jib to "Doyle Vermont", spring 1999 for inspection, cleaning, and minor chafe and bolt rope repairs
M
Mark Burrows
260 Fixed again
Sounds like Hunter is trying to reintroduce the original 260 that had an optional fixed keel as the "270" This boat came out a couple of years ago so there may be a couple out there for sail. Check YachtWorld or Bucnet. You might also look at the now defunct 280. I always thought it was a 26 with a gland condition anyway. It had similar lines to the 26 but had the ever popular wheel steering and inboard desiel. Mark FYI: Crazy Dave is a dealer.
Sounds like Hunter is trying to reintroduce the original 260 that had an optional fixed keel as the "270" This boat came out a couple of years ago so there may be a couple out there for sail. Check YachtWorld or Bucnet. You might also look at the now defunct 280. I always thought it was a 26 with a gland condition anyway. It had similar lines to the 26 but had the ever popular wheel steering and inboard desiel. Mark FYI: Crazy Dave is a dealer.
D
Dave Condon
Response to 260 Fixed again
Mark; You are correct that I am a dealer but as you will note, I do not tell anyone that now nor do I let anyone know where I am out of respect for this forum. It takes alot of time to respond. I am the most versed on the water ballasted boats and simply want to pass on any information that will help you guys. I do this simply because it is fun and it might help a sailor out there. Crazy Dave
Mark; You are correct that I am a dealer but as you will note, I do not tell anyone that now nor do I let anyone know where I am out of respect for this forum. It takes alot of time to respond. I am the most versed on the water ballasted boats and simply want to pass on any information that will help you guys. I do this simply because it is fun and it might help a sailor out there. Crazy Dave
M
Mark Burrows
See How Site Talk
Dave: I'm glad that you are a regular contributor to HOW, especially with your experience with the WB's. With Bohart going to the sidelines, its good to have another attributable source of expertise. The key for me is the word attributable. Whenever Bohart writes about a product, you know where he's coming from because it is well-publicized that he works for Hunter. Similarly, its great when someone like yourself adds to the dialog yet when I read your posts, I generally notice a hint of promotion of the product. That's fine. I just think some sketch of your point of view adds to the conversation. I posted an open question in the HOW Site Talk forum about this. Phil and several other have already weighed in. Please add your 2cents. Keep on writing. Mark PS. You didn't say anything about the 260 fixed keel vs 270. Opinions?
Dave: I'm glad that you are a regular contributor to HOW, especially with your experience with the WB's. With Bohart going to the sidelines, its good to have another attributable source of expertise. The key for me is the word attributable. Whenever Bohart writes about a product, you know where he's coming from because it is well-publicized that he works for Hunter. Similarly, its great when someone like yourself adds to the dialog yet when I read your posts, I generally notice a hint of promotion of the product. That's fine. I just think some sketch of your point of view adds to the conversation. I posted an open question in the HOW Site Talk forum about this. Phil and several other have already weighed in. Please add your 2cents. Keep on writing. Mark PS. You didn't say anything about the 260 fixed keel vs 270. Opinions?
D
Dave Condon
L
Les Hall
APPLES & ORANGES
We own a new 2000 Hunter 260 wing keel with diesel and wheel steering. Our dealer told us that Hunter is now calling it the 270. The boat is very roomy for its size, probably the main reason that we chose this boat along wih the fact that, living inland, we needed a trailerable boat. We are happy with this decision; and by the way, you are right about the price! In my opinion, comparing the H260 with a Catalina 30 is like comparing apples to oranges. But, if we lived where we could keep the boat in the water year-round, Hunter owners please don't be offended, we would buy the Catalina 30. If you decide to purchase the H270, I would recommend a couple of options that we were not made aware of when the boat was ordered: macerator pump and dual battery system. Good luck and good sailing, Captain of "Kyrie"
We own a new 2000 Hunter 260 wing keel with diesel and wheel steering. Our dealer told us that Hunter is now calling it the 270. The boat is very roomy for its size, probably the main reason that we chose this boat along wih the fact that, living inland, we needed a trailerable boat. We are happy with this decision; and by the way, you are right about the price! In my opinion, comparing the H260 with a Catalina 30 is like comparing apples to oranges. But, if we lived where we could keep the boat in the water year-round, Hunter owners please don't be offended, we would buy the Catalina 30. If you decide to purchase the H270, I would recommend a couple of options that we were not made aware of when the boat was ordered: macerator pump and dual battery system. Good luck and good sailing, Captain of "Kyrie"
- Status
- Not open for further replies.