I am completely new to the idea of sailing so please be kind. I have a ton to learn. When I retire I would like to go sailing to and around the Bahamas. I really like hunter sailboats. I will more than likely be a solo sailer. So I am looking at relatively small sailboats like the hunter 290. However, what I cannot find is any information on is the storage options...I cannot find any pics of storage under the setees, under or behind cushions, under the v birth or under the bedding of the aft cabin. I am thinking in terms of provisions for long term use to be on the hook alot. Also I am interested if anyone has put a water maker onboard and where and any pics of the information above would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Hunter 290
- Thread starter Tater somewhere
- Start date
I had a Hunter 280 for about 5 years. I sailed on Lake Michigan, but generally just day sailing.
I liked the rear birth…size was it was pretty large. And if you are solo, you could use a fair amount of that room for storage.
On the down side, the galley (on the H280) was pretty sparse as was storage in the galley. Mine was equipped with an icebox only (no refrigeration) and a 2-burner Origo alcohol stove. Many people love the Origo for its safety (non-pressurized). I didn’t think it burned very hot and could not be very finely adjusted. I prefer propane. But I imagine you could find some sort of fuel for the Origo in any part of the world. Origo is out of business now however.
On the H280, there was storage under the horseshoe settee. The water tank was in the bow leaving space under the main settee. My batteries were in part of the space, but the rest was open IIRC. That would probably be the best option for a water maker location. You may need to add more battery capacity in there too though. Plus solar controller equipment if you are going to be on the hook most of the time.
The water tank (40 gallons on both boats) and fuel tanks (20 gallons on both boats) is a bit small for cruising, but with a water maker, you can live with 40 gallons on water tank. Waste water tankage may be a bigger concern. I am not familiar with pumpout options in the Bahamas, or if you will get out on the ocean to legally dump waste. My 280 had a 20 gallon waste tank.
There is almost zero storage under the floor and in the bilges. The floor pan is very shallow and most floorboards are in one large piece.
The 290 is bigger than the H280, but not much…less than a foot longer overall, but about 1 foot wider at the beam..tankage about the same.
I pulled a few resources that compare the 2 boats, and some info on my H280 that I had for sale…
I liked the rear birth…size was it was pretty large. And if you are solo, you could use a fair amount of that room for storage.
On the down side, the galley (on the H280) was pretty sparse as was storage in the galley. Mine was equipped with an icebox only (no refrigeration) and a 2-burner Origo alcohol stove. Many people love the Origo for its safety (non-pressurized). I didn’t think it burned very hot and could not be very finely adjusted. I prefer propane. But I imagine you could find some sort of fuel for the Origo in any part of the world. Origo is out of business now however.
On the H280, there was storage under the horseshoe settee. The water tank was in the bow leaving space under the main settee. My batteries were in part of the space, but the rest was open IIRC. That would probably be the best option for a water maker location. You may need to add more battery capacity in there too though. Plus solar controller equipment if you are going to be on the hook most of the time.
The water tank (40 gallons on both boats) and fuel tanks (20 gallons on both boats) is a bit small for cruising, but with a water maker, you can live with 40 gallons on water tank. Waste water tankage may be a bigger concern. I am not familiar with pumpout options in the Bahamas, or if you will get out on the ocean to legally dump waste. My 280 had a 20 gallon waste tank.
There is almost zero storage under the floor and in the bilges. The floor pan is very shallow and most floorboards are in one large piece.
The 290 is bigger than the H280, but not much…less than a foot longer overall, but about 1 foot wider at the beam..tankage about the same.
I pulled a few resources that compare the 2 boats, and some info on my H280 that I had for sale…
Hunter 280 For Sale
1996 Hunter 280 for sale in Chicago area. Currently in storage at East Chicago Marina.
wcwebs.net
Thank you so much for your reply. And ty for pointing out the sewage tank capacity, hadn't thought of that. I wonder if a compost option would be better?
People love them or hate them…but if cruising in the Bahamas, it may be a good compromise and way to deal with waste.
I don’t remember where the waste tank was on my H280. But if you chose to go with a composing head, you might be able to remove the waste tank and use the space for some thing else. But you do need room for the coir or whatever you use for a medium in the compost. You still need to get to shore to dump urine and the solid waste periodically. I am not a fan of composting toilets, but maybe it is the best option in your case.
Greg
A 29 foot boat will be on the small side for cruising in the Bahamas for the reasons you have identified.
For storage cruisers often sacrifice the quaterberth and use it for storage. I do that on my 36' sailboat when going to the Bahamas and even most shorter term cruising.
A water maker draws a lot of current requiring either a large battery bank or a generator. A large battery bank will require a good charging system which means a lot of solar and an alternator upgrade to a high output externally regulated alternator.
Pump out facilities are few and far between in the Bahamas. As a result most either direct discharge or have a means of emptying the holding tank when off shore and out of an anchorage. We use a Whale Gulper pump to empty the holding tank, but only in deep water away from anchorages. The pump connects to the pump out fitting and discharges overboard. Other boats have built in pumps for the same purpose.
For storage cruisers often sacrifice the quaterberth and use it for storage. I do that on my 36' sailboat when going to the Bahamas and even most shorter term cruising.
A water maker draws a lot of current requiring either a large battery bank or a generator. A large battery bank will require a good charging system which means a lot of solar and an alternator upgrade to a high output externally regulated alternator.
Pump out facilities are few and far between in the Bahamas. As a result most either direct discharge or have a means of emptying the holding tank when off shore and out of an anchorage. We use a Whale Gulper pump to empty the holding tank, but only in deep water away from anchorages. The pump connects to the pump out fitting and discharges overboard. Other boats have built in pumps for the same purpose.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,220
@Tater somewhere Welcome to the SBO Forum.
You are right to think small (About 30 ft) if you are solo sailing. I would encourage two things. First get a lot of sailing time in on any boat you can find. Building up your basic sailing skills is what you will need when you decide to leave the harbor and venture across open waters like an oceans.
The 290 is a small and light boat. Light is nice for its speed but in large seas you will find that the boat gets tossed about. There is a cruisers “Comfort Ratio” that gives a measure to compare boats of similar size. The Hunter 290 gets a comfort ratio of 17.6.
The Bahamas is about 75 Nautical miles from Miami. Sailing at an average of 5 knots per hour, it will take about 15 hours. That is a lot of bouncing around in a small boat. Even for a young experienced sailor one would be tired upon arrival.
You are right to think small (About 30 ft) if you are solo sailing. I would encourage two things. First get a lot of sailing time in on any boat you can find. Building up your basic sailing skills is what you will need when you decide to leave the harbor and venture across open waters like an oceans.
The 290 is a small and light boat. Light is nice for its speed but in large seas you will find that the boat gets tossed about. There is a cruisers “Comfort Ratio” that gives a measure to compare boats of similar size. The Hunter 290 gets a comfort ratio of 17.6.
Comfort Ratio:
This is a ratio created by Ted Brewer as a measure of motion comfort. It provides a reasonable comparison between yachts of similar size and type. It is based on the fact that the faster the motion the more upsetting it is to the average person. Consider, though, that the typical summertime coastal cruiser will rarely encounter the wind and seas that an ocean going yacht will meet.
Numbers below 20 indicate a lightweight racing boat, small dinghy and such;
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser;
30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat;
I would do some reading about solo sailing. There are many skills you might want like weather forecasting and ship repair that will help you on your desire for adventure. I would go to a coastal marina and begin looking at several boats so that you begin toget an idea of the ways different boat designs provide different capabilities to the owner. There are some great 24ft boats that while smaller provide volumes of storage to accommodate extended cruising.The Bahamas is about 75 Nautical miles from Miami. Sailing at an average of 5 knots per hour, it will take about 15 hours. That is a lot of bouncing around in a small boat. Even for a young experienced sailor one would be tired upon arrival.