I may be wrong........
- Thread starter Alan
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High freeboard, wide beam, water ballast
I do like my 1994 Hunter 26 water ballast trailer sailor, but if I wanted to go fast I would have bought something else.
I do like my 1994 Hunter 26 water ballast trailer sailor, but if I wanted to go fast I would have bought something else.
Hunter Speed
I race my 356 in club races all the time. It is not the fastest boat but if handled properly it can put on a good turn of speed I was second over all in club standings in 2005, and 3rd overall in 2006. Not doing quite as well this year but hope to get back into the swing after I complete my recuperation period from my recent back surgery. The problem with racing my 356 is the handicap. As most of you know the new line of Hunter boats and quite comfortable. They are wide bodied floating hotels. As a matter of fact my club mates have nick named my boat the Hilton. Yet even with the nick name which recognizes the comfort qualities, and the in mast roller furling main, I have the lowest handicap in the club. I can usually beat most boats on a beat (thats not a play on words), but off the wind even with the large main, those 150 genoas on those other boats just catch to much wind, and my fractional rig is at a loss. But what the heck, when we complete a race we are more relaxed than our competitors.
I race my 356 in club races all the time. It is not the fastest boat but if handled properly it can put on a good turn of speed I was second over all in club standings in 2005, and 3rd overall in 2006. Not doing quite as well this year but hope to get back into the swing after I complete my recuperation period from my recent back surgery. The problem with racing my 356 is the handicap. As most of you know the new line of Hunter boats and quite comfortable. They are wide bodied floating hotels. As a matter of fact my club mates have nick named my boat the Hilton. Yet even with the nick name which recognizes the comfort qualities, and the in mast roller furling main, I have the lowest handicap in the club. I can usually beat most boats on a beat (thats not a play on words), but off the wind even with the large main, those 150 genoas on those other boats just catch to much wind, and my fractional rig is at a loss. But what the heck, when we complete a race we are more relaxed than our competitors.
I'll reserve my comments
I'll hold my comments back until the end of the spring race series. Look for a comment next week and if you are a Hunter fun keep your fingers crossed!
I'll hold my comments back until the end of the spring race series. Look for a comment next week and if you are a Hunter fun keep your fingers crossed!
Well,
....I'm in south Florida and starting the Naples/Key West Race tomorrow. I'm sailing on a Hunter 40 (1985 vintage) that I've raced on many times. We won this race on the same boat in '97. Our crew has sailed more than a few races together. The competition looks pretty good but we'll just have to wait and see how things turn out. I won't have computer access until the beginning of next week but I'll post the results then.
Maybe we will pull it out again, who knows! Anyway we're gonna have a pile of fun tryin' and partyin' after ;D
....I'm in south Florida and starting the Naples/Key West Race tomorrow. I'm sailing on a Hunter 40 (1985 vintage) that I've raced on many times. We won this race on the same boat in '97. Our crew has sailed more than a few races together. The competition looks pretty good but we'll just have to wait and see how things turn out. I won't have computer access until the beginning of next week but I'll post the results then.
Maybe we will pull it out again, who knows! Anyway we're gonna have a pile of fun tryin' and partyin' after ;D
Well,
....I'm in south Florida and starting the Naples/Key West Race tomorrow. I'm sailing on a Hunter 40 (1985 vintage) that I've raced on many times. We won this race on the same boat in '97. Our crew has sailed more than a few races together. The competition looks pretty good but we'll just have to wait and see how things turn out. I won't have computer access until the beginning of next week but I'll post the results then. Maybe we will pull it out again, who knows! Anyway we're gonna have a pile of fun tryin' and partyin' after ;D
....I'm in south Florida and starting the Naples/Key West Race tomorrow. I'm sailing on a Hunter 40 (1985 vintage) that I've raced on many times. We won this race on the same boat in '97. Our crew has sailed more than a few races together. The competition looks pretty good but we'll just have to wait and see how things turn out. I won't have computer access until the beginning of next week but I'll post the results then.
Maybe we will pull it out again, who knows! Anyway we're gonna have a pile of fun tryin' and partyin' after ;D
We race every Friday night
There are about six other Hunters in our fleet. Out of 36 total. Ours is a very casual race club. I just looked at the sign-up so far for the Queen's Cup out of South Shore Yacht Club. There is only one Hunter so far out of 41 entries. We are expecting 200 entries so there should be a few more. Sure are a lot of Catalinas signed up. There are as many Hunters as Catalinas at the club.
There are about six other Hunters in our fleet. Out of 36 total. Ours is a very casual race club. I just looked at the sign-up so far for the Queen's Cup out of South Shore Yacht Club. There is only one Hunter so far out of 41 entries. We are expecting 200 entries so there should be a few more. Sure are a lot of Catalinas signed up. There are as many Hunters as Catalinas at the club.
We race every Friday night
There are about six other Hunters in our fleet. Out of 36 total. Ours is a very casual race club. I just looked at the sign-up so far for the Queen's Cup out of South Shore Yacht Club. There is only one Hunter so far out of 41 entries. We are expecting 200 entries so there should be a few more. Sure are a lot of Catalinas signed up. There are as many Hunters as Catalinas at the club.
There are about six other Hunters in our fleet. Out of 36 total. Ours is a very casual race club. I just looked at the sign-up so far for the Queen's Cup out of South Shore Yacht Club. There is only one Hunter so far out of 41 entries. We are expecting 200 entries so there should be a few more. Sure are a lot of Catalinas signed up. There are as many Hunters as Catalinas at the club.
Queen's Cup
Rip - I believe that I'll have my Hunter up for the Queen's Cup again this year. I'm still not sure how my back problems are going to affect my sailing, hopefully only have me make my crew work a little harder. Boat is scheduled to splash next Wednesday, so I'm getting a little antsy. T J
Rip - I believe that I'll have my Hunter up for the Queen's Cup again this year. I'm still not sure how my back problems are going to affect my sailing, hopefully only have me make my crew work a little harder. Boat is scheduled to splash next Wednesday, so I'm getting a little antsy. T J
Queen's Cup
Rip - I believe that I'll have my Hunter up for the Queen's Cup again this year. I'm still not sure how my back problems are going to affect my sailing, hopefully only have me make my crew work a little harder. Boat is scheduled to splash next Wednesday, so I'm getting a little antsy. T J
Rip - I believe that I'll have my Hunter up for the Queen's Cup again this year. I'm still not sure how my back problems are going to affect my sailing, hopefully only have me make my crew work a little harder. Boat is scheduled to splash next Wednesday, so I'm getting a little antsy. T J
every regatta
alan, I race every time with my H26.5. In your earlier comments, I am finding my 26.5 is indeed a sleeper. I can out head everyone upwind. I still need work on the down wind, but we are getting better. I often win outright, and the other times, my PHRF rating helps me out. It is all about basics. Good tactics, work at the trim, and keep a smooth bottom.
alan, I race every time with my H26.5. In your earlier comments, I am finding my 26.5 is indeed a sleeper. I can out head everyone upwind. I still need work on the down wind, but we are getting better. I often win outright, and the other times, my PHRF rating helps me out. It is all about basics. Good tactics, work at the trim, and keep a smooth bottom.
every regatta
alan, I race every time with my H26.5. In your earlier comments, I am finding my 26.5 is indeed a sleeper. I can out head everyone upwind. I still need work on the down wind, but we are getting better. I often win outright, and the other times, my PHRF rating helps me out. It is all about basics. Good tactics, work at the trim, and keep a smooth bottom.
alan, I race every time with my H26.5. In your earlier comments, I am finding my 26.5 is indeed a sleeper. I can out head everyone upwind. I still need work on the down wind, but we are getting better. I often win outright, and the other times, my PHRF rating helps me out. It is all about basics. Good tactics, work at the trim, and keep a smooth bottom.
Hunter Designs
I've been holding off waiting to see the 'Why we don't Race' answers. I bought our deep draft '86 Hunter 28.5 when new, specifically intending to set her up to race and did so with good sails, folding prop, Tuff Luff, and a good bottom job. Therefore, she sails very well to her 174 PHRF rating (non-spin) and we regularly beat faster rated boats. Winning is fun;loosing isn't. We've tried to introduce others to racing and done practice starts with other owners or raced on their boats to help dilute the percieved intimidation of racing. After some attempts and not much success, most people loose interest in racing if they are still in the back of the pack, even in the less competative club races. I feel more Hunters are set up for cruising when purchased, than say Sabers or C&C or Tartans. We see more shoal draft Hunters with three blade props rough bottoms and old roller furlers. It take more work and probably a little more money to race and do well, particularly as the boat and owner add afew years. We've kind of dropped out except for a once in a while Epilepsy or Hospice Cup Race where we sail 'Cruising 'B' Division and still win. It's still fun at three score plus years!
I've been holding off waiting to see the 'Why we don't Race' answers. I bought our deep draft '86 Hunter 28.5 when new, specifically intending to set her up to race and did so with good sails, folding prop, Tuff Luff, and a good bottom job. Therefore, she sails very well to her 174 PHRF rating (non-spin) and we regularly beat faster rated boats. Winning is fun;loosing isn't. We've tried to introduce others to racing and done practice starts with other owners or raced on their boats to help dilute the percieved intimidation of racing. After some attempts and not much success, most people loose interest in racing if they are still in the back of the pack, even in the less competative club races. I feel more Hunters are set up for cruising when purchased, than say Sabers or C&C or Tartans. We see more shoal draft Hunters with three blade props rough bottoms and old roller furlers. It take more work and probably a little more money to race and do well, particularly as the boat and owner add afew years. We've kind of dropped out except for a once in a while Epilepsy or Hospice Cup Race where we sail 'Cruising 'B' Division and still win. It's still fun at three score plus years!
Hunter Designs
I've been holding off waiting to see the 'Why we don't Race' answers. I bought our deep draft '86 Hunter 28.5 when new, specifically intending to set her up to race and did so with good sails, folding prop, Tuff Luff, and a good bottom job. Therefore, she sails very well to her 174 PHRF rating (non-spin) and we regularly beat faster rated boats. Winning is fun;loosing isn't. We've tried to introduce others to racing and done practice starts with other owners or raced on their boats to help dilute the percieved intimidation of racing. After some attempts and not much success, most people loose interest in racing if they are still in the back of the pack, even in the less competative club races. I feel more Hunters are set up for cruising when purchased, than say Sabers or C&C or Tartans. We see more shoal draft Hunters with three blade props rough bottoms and old roller furlers. It take more work and probably a little more money to race and do well, particularly as the boat and owner add afew years. We've kind of dropped out except for a once in a while Epilepsy or Hospice Cup Race where we sail 'Cruising 'B' Division and still win. It's still fun at three score plus years!
I've been holding off waiting to see the 'Why we don't Race' answers. I bought our deep draft '86 Hunter 28.5 when new, specifically intending to set her up to race and did so with good sails, folding prop, Tuff Luff, and a good bottom job. Therefore, she sails very well to her 174 PHRF rating (non-spin) and we regularly beat faster rated boats. Winning is fun;loosing isn't. We've tried to introduce others to racing and done practice starts with other owners or raced on their boats to help dilute the percieved intimidation of racing. After some attempts and not much success, most people loose interest in racing if they are still in the back of the pack, even in the less competative club races. I feel more Hunters are set up for cruising when purchased, than say Sabers or C&C or Tartans. We see more shoal draft Hunters with three blade props rough bottoms and old roller furlers. It take more work and probably a little more money to race and do well, particularly as the boat and owner add afew years. We've kind of dropped out except for a once in a while Epilepsy or Hospice Cup Race where we sail 'Cruising 'B' Division and still win. It's still fun at three score plus years!
Good to hear you guys.
Just got back to Marco Island after a slog back from Key West, with 40+ knots and seas that had built to 10 to 12 feet. The race was great! We hit the line at full bore and lead the division into the night. We caught a number of boats in the division ahead of us. Around 2am the spinnaker blew up. Bummer *grr, which cost us nearly 2 kts of boat speed and ultimately the race win. We took line honors but corrected out into 3rd place. Considering the fact that we sailed over half the race without a spinnaker, I'd say we did very well. We've resolved to go back again next year and give it another crack!
Just got back to Marco Island after a slog back from Key West, with 40+ knots and seas that had built to 10 to 12 feet. The race was great! We hit the line at full bore and lead the division into the night. We caught a number of boats in the division ahead of us. Around 2am the spinnaker blew up. Bummer *grr, which cost us nearly 2 kts of boat speed and ultimately the race win. We took line honors but corrected out into 3rd place. Considering the fact that we sailed over half the race without a spinnaker, I'd say we did very well. We've resolved to go back again next year and give it another crack!
WHAT !!!
Alan, after reading your posts for the last couple years I'm surprised you let them leave the dock with only one spinaker. Just kidding. Congrats on a good race. Carl Glory Daze C36
Alan, after reading your posts for the last couple years I'm surprised you let them leave the dock with only one spinaker. Just kidding. Congrats on a good race. Carl Glory Daze C36
Good point Carl
If it had been my boat we would have had a 1/2 dozen spinnakers on board, but it wasn't up to me. Chaos, I'm glad to see that your learning your boat and finding the 'fast' buttons. The 26.5 is a true sleeper. You're going to turn more than a few heads when you get her dialed in, good luck!
If it had been my boat we would have had a 1/2 dozen spinnakers on board, but it wasn't up to me. Chaos, I'm glad to see that your learning your boat and finding the 'fast' buttons. The 26.5 is a true sleeper. You're going to turn more than a few heads when you get her dialed in, good luck!
Racing Can be Fun
I did some racing on friends boat and it was fun and did enjoy it most times,but my new boat is setup for cruising and comfort for staying out on the water and sailing to new locations. My wife will enjoy our boat much more now with me while we are out sailing more with our retirement. Different things for different folk's and alan I am glad you are showing that hunters are good racing boats,but I think most hunters are not setup for racing and most for just laid back cruising,so go for it. Nick
I did some racing on friends boat and it was fun and did enjoy it most times,but my new boat is setup for cruising and comfort for staying out on the water and sailing to new locations. My wife will enjoy our boat much more now with me while we are out sailing more with our retirement. Different things for different folk's and alan I am glad you are showing that hunters are good racing boats,but I think most hunters are not setup for racing and most for just laid back cruising,so go for it. Nick
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