Hunter 280 Questions

[Tally Ho]

Greetings Hunter Owners,

I have purchased, but have not yet taken delivery of a 1996 Hunter 280. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about the boat and it's systems and have a few questions:

1) Where does the exhaust exit the hull on the 280? I am used to seeing a SS fitting on the transom of other boats, but with the sugar scoop transom and swim platform, I do not see an exhaust fitting. Is it below the water line? If so, is that a good design?

2) What size is the fuel tank? My boat has the 2GM Yanmar, and I have conflicting information in the boat literature (20 gal fuel cpy) and the survey and other notes (12 gal fuel cpy). Anyone know for sure what was standard on the H-280 with the 18HP Yanmar?

3) How far (or how long) will the 18HP Yanmar go on a tank of fuel (and what size tank do you have)? We will have an 86 nm cruise on Lake Michigan to get her from Milwaukee to our marina in Indiana. If the winds are not favorable and we have to motor most of the way, I wonder if I should carry extra diesel or plan to stop and refuel along the way.

4) OK - Don't laugh at this one, but I have never owned a boat with a marine head before....do you use regular TP in a marine head, or does it have to be that RV stuff that disintegrates faster? Do you have to add any enzymes or other things to a marine holding tank?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice (and for not laughing too hard).

Greg

 

[David in Sandusky]

A few responses

Don't own a 280, but here are some thoughts:

2) The specs on this site say 16 gal fuel tank.

3) If the tank is 12 gal, and you use 3/4 tank per hour, and make 5 knots, your range is 80 nm. We carry a 5 gal tank of diesel in our lazarette. on the same assumptions, that would give you another 33 nm - a decent reserve for an 86 nm trip. I consumption is 1/2 gal per hour, your range is 120 nm, but I'd still want the 5 gal reserve.

4) The quick dissolving toilet paper is the best solution. Your best investment for the head is Get Rid of Boat Odors by our own Head Mistress, Peggy Hall, available on this site. We follow her recommendations, and use OdorLos in our tank. It and similar products supply oxygen to the bacterial in the tank. The bacteria that work in low oxygen environments are the ones that smell.

Do check out the owner reviews of the 280 on this site.

Good luck with your new boat!

 

[Tally Ho]

Re: A few responses

Thanks for tips David.....I will look for the head stuff.

Greg

 

[Clark]

I'm pretty sure it is a 16 gallon tank. For that trip however, I would carry some spare fuel. You never know when you might have to motor into the wind for long periods.
The exhaust is just below the waterline, starboard of centerline at the stern. It is not a problem. Just make sure the hoses are in good shape. If you pull the cushions and access panels in the rear berth, you'll see where the exhaust gases and water goes.
You can use the expensive RV stuff but the el-cheapo single ply stuff works just fine. Just remember, don't put anything into the head that you didn't consume first (except for the TP). Enzymes do help and as suggested, OdorLos is a great product.
Good Luck with your new 280. We've loved ours for 5 years!

 

[Tally Ho]

Thanks Clark. I am anxious to get her home. Went to the marina today and paid for my slip, stopped by West Marine and picked a few things....now just hoping the weather warms up a little !

 

[Ken13559]

My 2GM20F on H326 consume 1-2 lt/hr. I usually use 1.5 lt/hr for estimation & 2lt/hr for trip calculation. Your H280 is lighter hence suppose consumption rate would be better. Suggest you start clocking your motoring time & amount of fuel use on way back and tidal conditions. That way you'll have a good reference for future trip and consumption rate.