I saw the Hunter 25

[Lee C - H240]

Interesting

Jim - thanks for pics. I had anticipated Hunter squeezing the 260 into a 25 foot package. It looks more like a 240 inside. The galley doesn't look very sophisticated, and the head appears to have a curtain, not a door.

 

[Mark]

No doubt about you Jim

Great photos. Thanks Jim.

 

[Bob Cowgill]

H25 vs the C250

Haven't seen the new H25 except in these pix (thanks, Jim!), but I did sail a new Catalina 250K (fixed keel, 3.5' draft) last Saturday.The interior of the Catalina is just one large open area, with the exception of the door-enclosed head, just to port at the base of the companionway stairs, which I liked.On the Catalina, the 9.9 Tohatsu does not require remote controls, as it is just about under your right elbow as you sit on the helmsman's seat.Spin-Lok clutches seem to be the coming thing on both boats, love 'em or not.The C250 did have self-tailing winches, which are a nice touch.The dealer said the C250 based out at $24K.I'm gratified at the speed with which Hunter began adapting the telescoping swim ladders to their new designs after I showed them it would work on the 216! As soon as our 216 sells, we are looking to move to a keel and a wheel, whether through ownership, or the Sailtime time-share program which is just about to open a base near us.Bob

 

[Tom2909]

Jim, Thank you for the pics!

This is an interesting evolutionary path for Hunter. As far as I can tell, the boat has a fixed keel -- a long stubby, shoal draft keel. I wonder how well it is going to point.Compared to the 260, it is 700 lbs heavier on the trailer, 1300 lbs lighter on the water; 2 feet shorter LOA; about 6 inches narrower on the beam; and seems to sit about as high on the trailer. It is a few thousand dollars less to purchase.Even with the absence of the ballast tank in the bilge (that raises the floor on the 260) head room seems to be reduced in the new 25.When I made my H260 buying decision in 1999, with 8 years experience owning a Mac26 (1990, SAILboat -- not motor sailor) I compared the Catalina 250 to the Hunter 260 and the Hunter was an easy choice based both on boat layout and value.The H260 comes as close as possible to a "big boat" feel while maintaining trailerability.Fair winds,Tom

 

[sailsinger]

H25 Impressions

I too saw the H25 at the Philly Boat show and I was impressed by: 1) The price point and 2) The low profile keel. One thing the salesman cautioned is that the figures on the spec sheet are not all correct. He said that the displacemet was more like 5200-5300 lbs. That's heavy for a 25 foot trailerable. I'm also leary of the upwind performance with this keel. Inside, it definately is smaller than the 260. The aft bunk is almost unusable since I can't even sit up straight to read. Being at the boatshow gave me the oppertunity to go back and forth between the C250 and the H25 and found that for the extra cost, the C250 has better headroom (keel version), more aft bunk space, and nicer galley. If the H25 were a little lighter, I'd say it would be easier to trailer./ChuckS/V WindsongsH23

 

[Ashley]

wow

At least they redesigned the table, 4 gold stars ;DHas anybody tried to squeeze into the head to see if it is possible? With the lack of side decks, on our 260 it is hard to go forward to the bow without stepping on the hatch, looks even harder on this boat. Does the rudder kick up? Looks like it does, but I don't see any way to raise or lower it. Could anyone tell if they improved on the infamous leaky hatch? v-berth looks to small to be useful except for kids or contortionists. Since there is no WB or centerboard trunk, looks like Hunter would make the table drop down and convert the setees into a large berth. Does the cabinet door under the galley sink prop up to give more counter space? Looks like it might. I think I like my 260 even more now.

 

[Sean Coerse]

New 25

Looking at the photos the new 25 seems more like an updated 240 than 260. I would love to hear from someone who has sailed one. I'm real curious if there is much improvement in initial stability with such a shallow keel over the water ballest boats. I also am curious how well it will go to winward. I would think the long keel along with Hunters full roach main would cause it to track well and be quick of the wind.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Talking to one of the sales people

He stated the H25 is a replacement for the H260. Also, tender when he sailed it in Florida. Heeled very quickly and settled down. One interesting thing is the lead keel is put in from the top before they place the deck on. NO keel bolts!H25 has less sail area (239sqft) than the 240 which was 245sqft, 260 had 329sqft. Joan sat in the head area and the was not happy, the hull sloped up where your left foot is, sitting un-even on the head!! The aft cabin looked like it had more height while laying down but I didn't get in there. I would keep or find a H260!!JimS/V Java

 

[Bad Obsession]

Hey Jim

I should be out a couple of weekends a month this summer. I will usually head down river as well. If I need to get home quickly I will go to Westmoreland state park and ancor off shore, eat a picnic lunch, and sail over to Cobb for the night. I am not going to have to worry about planning tides right this year because I am slipping the boat, so I will be heading towards St. Clemmins Island and that area more. My email is cpd302@hotmail.com. Maybe I'll see you on the water.

 

[Greg A]

Nice looking new boat, But.....

Looking at the pictures of the new H25. I think I will pass. Like one said, it looks like remodel of the 240. Even the 240 looks better built than this H25. Some pluses I guess would be the steering system, although I haven’t had any problem with my 260. The engine controls on the pedestal are a must have. Not the remote throttle set up they have pictured. Don’t know if this an option.The galley on the H25 looks sad. The setup in the 260 is much better and gives a big boat feel .The stairs area looks cheap, the storage area aft looks cheap, shower curtain for the head instead of an actual door.I think hunter is making a big mistake with these H25s. If you look hard enough you can get a nicely setup 260 with all the options for around the price of the 25.The 260 and 26 is just a nicer boat in my opinion.Don’t know, just my 2 cents....Greg"Nothin Doin"