I may buy listing 5 degree H26, can water collect in hidden spots???

Oct 8, 2023
74
Hunter 260 Kemah
See pics. Post hurricane a nieghbors boat got beat up and has hole at rubline halfway up boat. I may buy for $1 to motor not sail. I am familiar w H260. Are there spots for water to collect in hidden spots in H26 not just visible spots like bilge and under seats/cabinets?? Are there big voids where sizeable water can sit for years??? It is leaning 5 degrees to side Hurricane Beryl was blowing so water likely collected on that side and there is inches of water in spots.. Davenport
 

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Jan 7, 2011
5,592
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Not specific to the H260, but yes, there are typically areas under the sole where water can collect, especially if the boat was already leaning due to water in the hull.

Is that boat water-ballast?

She took a bit of a beating it looks like…front hatch/ window cracked?

Greg
 
Oct 8, 2023
74
Hunter 260 Kemah
yes this hunter 26 is water ballast. it was in narrow slip during hurricane due to cheap owner but it mostly survived intact, no visible scratches except for that 1 rubrail area. the sole is dry and water is just in the normal areas, bilge, under seats , under sinks. I think the sole area collects water in 1/16th inch layer if the glue delaminates (this happenened on my h260 so it would leak water for week after a rain got in).. . . .

I am always amazed fiberglass boats survive so well I don't understand why we don't live in thick fiberglass houses rather than crap wood and plastic. haha

front window is cracked but that always was think plexiglass and often broke on these models. I may dive under to see if I can find any scratches underwater, there was lots of planks floating after hurricane berryl. the outside top surface after 30 years outside in houston bay is looking worn but that's expected. . .
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,446
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Suggest you hire a marine surveyor to look at that boat. Have you specifically looked inside in all the lockers? Stored equipment inside heavier than other side? Has the boat ever sustained major damage and if so, were there major repairs? You need to find out and let us know
 
Oct 8, 2023
74
Hunter 260 Kemah
Was the H26 designed to list to left without a outboard and also 12v battery mounted, and the skipper steering, but be straight with these? When mounted that's 200+ pounds all on far right so without these it may naturally lean left. . .. . . .. Absent a misshapen hull not sure how any repair to H26 could cause a list, either it holds water or it don't, a 5 degree list is unlikely from damage I would think.
 
Oct 8, 2023
74
Hunter 260 Kemah
Swam under the boat, and found no gouges or bumps in hull. And darn few barnacles. Not sure why it's listing.

Hmmm. I am gonna offer to take boat off owner's hands for free, he hasn't used it for years and now it has more issues. I don't sail much so won't push boat even if it has cracks on weak points now.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,446
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Yes you might get a free boat but the listing is unexplainable and could be a headache for you which is why I suggest a professional surveyor