I would like to know how the Hunter water ballast boates perform. I am thinking about purchasing one to trailer around. I saw a Hunter 25.5 at a boat show several years ago. I plan to use it Baraget Bay (NJ) and rivers, etc. I would like to hear from some past owners about these boats.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
M
Mark Burrows
There great!
I've had an H26 for the last four years and have had a great time sailing it. I'd say its fast enough for a cruiser and seems to go to windward well. Dead downwind is a problem because of the raked spreaders but that not the best point for any boat build after the 19th century. However, the boat handles better when you have some extra crew weight to move around. Mark
I've had an H26 for the last four years and have had a great time sailing it. I'd say its fast enough for a cruiser and seems to go to windward well. Dead downwind is a problem because of the raked spreaders but that not the best point for any boat build after the 19th century. However, the boat handles better when you have some extra crew weight to move around. Mark
S
Sam Lust
Lots of wind and no water
Your problem on Barnegat bay aside from a lack of water (average depth 5 feet) is frequently heavy to severe winds. Water ballast boats, due to the fact that the ballast is very high up in the boat are often not well suited to the type of wind we see on a regular basis. I can't stress enough that guys around the rest of the country can not concieve of the amount of wind we get. I've got to figure there's a reason there are very few water ballast Hunters active on Barnegat. I know of only a few that I see on a regular basis. I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying consider carefuly. A stiffer boat might enable you to do more actual sailing. Feel free to contact me direct at : samlust@monmouth.com
Your problem on Barnegat bay aside from a lack of water (average depth 5 feet) is frequently heavy to severe winds. Water ballast boats, due to the fact that the ballast is very high up in the boat are often not well suited to the type of wind we see on a regular basis. I can't stress enough that guys around the rest of the country can not concieve of the amount of wind we get. I've got to figure there's a reason there are very few water ballast Hunters active on Barnegat. I know of only a few that I see on a regular basis. I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying consider carefuly. A stiffer boat might enable you to do more actual sailing. Feel free to contact me direct at : samlust@monmouth.com
M
Michael Bell
Have to disagree with the dead-down-wind
We sailed this summer for three weeks of the coast of British Columbia with a variety of boat makes. In dead-down-wind we nearly left site of them. They accused me of rising the center board (he-he). I know it wasn’t my sailing experience – I had the least in the bunch. While it was true I couldn’t head-up quite as much, it wasn’t much difference. And most of that was again, my in-experience and not understanding how to tune the rigging.
We sailed this summer for three weeks of the coast of British Columbia with a variety of boat makes. In dead-down-wind we nearly left site of them. They accused me of rising the center board (he-he). I know it wasn’t my sailing experience – I had the least in the bunch. While it was true I couldn’t head-up quite as much, it wasn’t much difference. And most of that was again, my in-experience and not understanding how to tune the rigging.
T
ted
the barnegat bay - the best
ever found anywhere where you can teach some-one to sail that is better excepting experience with tides. i doubt it very much. please do not underestimate barnegat bay or say another bad word about it!! ted.
ever found anywhere where you can teach some-one to sail that is better excepting experience with tides. i doubt it very much. please do not underestimate barnegat bay or say another bad word about it!! ted.
D
Dave Condon
Trailering
If you are consdiering trialering a sailboat, Can you handle it by yourslef alone? There are four keys. The 240 and 260 come standard with a mast raise system which my 13 year old can raise the mast on the 260 by herself. The lines are led aft for single hand sailing. The boat sits low on the trailer and the trailer is low too thus allowing you to launch and retrieve easliy. Finally, there is less weight since using water ballast; therefore, you do not need a heavy vehicle to tow with. Regarding towing, consider an extra transmission cooler if yu have an automatic. Install the largest radiator in your vehicle. Heavy duty or air shocks is recommended. Finally, a third class hitch is suggested as well. Drive as if driving on snow and you will be driving more safely. If you are only towing from and to home for the season and do not want to buy a larger vehicle for that purpose alone, consider renting a Ryder, U- Haul, etc. truck. jAlthough the water ballast is higher than the keel, there is no differnece in heeling charateristcs than others based on experience. In fact, do not heel over 15 degrees or you will be loosing speed and performance. I have proven this time and time again. Also, most folks particulaly the better half does not like a boat heeling too far over. I read a comment not too long ago that one woman would not sail with her husband since he liked getting the windows in the water. It is a matter of sail trim too. You can sial with the center board up some in shallower water with sail trim but that comes with experience and time. What ever you decide, the 240 and 260 are goo all round boats from one who probably is the most experienced with them
If you are consdiering trialering a sailboat, Can you handle it by yourslef alone? There are four keys. The 240 and 260 come standard with a mast raise system which my 13 year old can raise the mast on the 260 by herself. The lines are led aft for single hand sailing. The boat sits low on the trailer and the trailer is low too thus allowing you to launch and retrieve easliy. Finally, there is less weight since using water ballast; therefore, you do not need a heavy vehicle to tow with. Regarding towing, consider an extra transmission cooler if yu have an automatic. Install the largest radiator in your vehicle. Heavy duty or air shocks is recommended. Finally, a third class hitch is suggested as well. Drive as if driving on snow and you will be driving more safely. If you are only towing from and to home for the season and do not want to buy a larger vehicle for that purpose alone, consider renting a Ryder, U- Haul, etc. truck. jAlthough the water ballast is higher than the keel, there is no differnece in heeling charateristcs than others based on experience. In fact, do not heel over 15 degrees or you will be loosing speed and performance. I have proven this time and time again. Also, most folks particulaly the better half does not like a boat heeling too far over. I read a comment not too long ago that one woman would not sail with her husband since he liked getting the windows in the water. It is a matter of sail trim too. You can sial with the center board up some in shallower water with sail trim but that comes with experience and time. What ever you decide, the 240 and 260 are goo all round boats from one who probably is the most experienced with them
K
Ken Shubert
Compromise
Water ballast is a compromise to make trailering easier. They are more tender in gusty winds and a 30 degree heel may come as a shock at first. You have to 'read the water' better and keep alert. BUT: you can launch at a pretty shallow ramp, pull the keel-board up and go in shallow water, and beach it on sand (or mud) and join the picnic ashore. You can use a slip that has underwater hazards like cables under it. The biggest feature is that you can take to boat to other waters...... without a semi truck. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Water ballast is a compromise to make trailering easier. They are more tender in gusty winds and a 30 degree heel may come as a shock at first. You have to 'read the water' better and keep alert. BUT: you can launch at a pretty shallow ramp, pull the keel-board up and go in shallow water, and beach it on sand (or mud) and join the picnic ashore. You can use a slip that has underwater hazards like cables under it. The biggest feature is that you can take to boat to other waters...... without a semi truck. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
M
Mike Pajewski
Owned both
I've owned both a 23.5 and a 26, which are slightly older versions of the 240 and 260. Both boats make good coastal cruisers. Yes, you will have to reef a little earlier, but this is as much a function of the huge mainsail as it is the water ballast. In fact, if shorthanded, the boat sails pretty well with just the main. I sail my 26 on Lake Michigan, but I grew up in Jersey (Exit 14C) and I think the wind conditions are pretty similar, lots of 10-20 knots with occasional T-storms. The 260 is an able boat, but if you never plan on trailering, I would get the fixed keel version if only for the shallower sailing draft. On the other hand, the centerboard allows you to get into some pretty thin water. The stink potters get pretty bug eyed when you nose up on to the beach, drop the transom ladder and wade up to the sand. It's kind of like....trespassing! Also, when you want to go somewhere for a week, you can't beat a 55 mph VMG. We keep our boat in a slip, but we've also trailered it 600 miles away. By water it would have been 900 miles and my vacation would have been over before we got there. Good luck on you decision. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
I've owned both a 23.5 and a 26, which are slightly older versions of the 240 and 260. Both boats make good coastal cruisers. Yes, you will have to reef a little earlier, but this is as much a function of the huge mainsail as it is the water ballast. In fact, if shorthanded, the boat sails pretty well with just the main. I sail my 26 on Lake Michigan, but I grew up in Jersey (Exit 14C) and I think the wind conditions are pretty similar, lots of 10-20 knots with occasional T-storms. The 260 is an able boat, but if you never plan on trailering, I would get the fixed keel version if only for the shallower sailing draft. On the other hand, the centerboard allows you to get into some pretty thin water. The stink potters get pretty bug eyed when you nose up on to the beach, drop the transom ladder and wade up to the sand. It's kind of like....trespassing! Also, when you want to go somewhere for a week, you can't beat a 55 mph VMG. We keep our boat in a slip, but we've also trailered it 600 miles away. By water it would have been 900 miles and my vacation would have been over before we got there. Good luck on you decision. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
P
Pat Corbisiero
H26 WB on Barnegat Bay
I've been sailing my 94 H-26 water ballast on Barnegat Bay since I got in 94. It's true that we do get very strong winds just about every day in the afternoon when a seabreeze kicks up [most afternoons usually around 15-22 knots] With any boat you have to know when to reef and do it early enough! If you keep this in mind you'll have no problem. My neighbor has a H30 and I was out the other evening with him and his boat handled and heeled as much as my 26 does under the same circumstances, so I guess it's all relevant. He has to reef just as early as i do. As far as water it is very shallow on the bay but i just raise my board up some. My neighbors one has a H30 the other has a Catalina 30 both have to sit at there docks sometimes and I can go out when ever i want. So to sum it up! Yes the 26wb is a little more tender than most other boats it's size but you just have be aware of it and reef alittle sooner.
I've been sailing my 94 H-26 water ballast on Barnegat Bay since I got in 94. It's true that we do get very strong winds just about every day in the afternoon when a seabreeze kicks up [most afternoons usually around 15-22 knots] With any boat you have to know when to reef and do it early enough! If you keep this in mind you'll have no problem. My neighbor has a H30 and I was out the other evening with him and his boat handled and heeled as much as my 26 does under the same circumstances, so I guess it's all relevant. He has to reef just as early as i do. As far as water it is very shallow on the bay but i just raise my board up some. My neighbors one has a H30 the other has a Catalina 30 both have to sit at there docks sometimes and I can go out when ever i want. So to sum it up! Yes the 26wb is a little more tender than most other boats it's size but you just have be aware of it and reef alittle sooner.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.