Ballast/capsize?
I checked the specs at this site, and a Hunter Marine. It looks like a good daysailor to me. I do have one question: Is the "weighted centerboard" heavy enough to keep her upright if you are surprised by a sudden gust at 40 knots? That is, will she perform like a keel boat? If not - if she does go over, how easily can she be righted? What assistance will be needed? If the answer is that it will sail like a keel boat - there is enough weight below to bring her back up even if knocked down by a gust, then the 212 looks like a good family started boat to me. Especially for protected waters in a large sound. I learned to sail on small dinghys, but my wife and I had our first keel boat (and spinnaker) experience on Rhodes 19's on the Narragensett bay off Newport, courtesy of the United States Navy. That was a keel boat with a solid, lead keel and was a great daysailer. Modern design and construction may get similar stability with lighter design - that's what you need to find out. By the way, smaller is better when learning, because the boat responds quicker and more clearly to your control action, as well as to the wind and waves. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
