G'Day Is there anyone out there who has lived aboard a Hunter 26 or 260 for over a year. Would it be possible for 2 young 50+ people or do you think we would go stir crazy. We like the idea of sailing the highways as well as lakes and bays of the East Coast of Oz. Appriciate any replies. Regards Maz White
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Chris
can be possible
I think it would be possible, but weather or not y'all go crazy will depend on YOUR personalities! For some people a 3000 sq ft house is not big enough, others get along fine in a small tent..... I don't know anyone who has lived on a 26 for a year, but I have heard of people bicycling for extended time periods, living in SMALL tents, so it should be possible, no problem....
I think it would be possible, but weather or not y'all go crazy will depend on YOUR personalities! For some people a 3000 sq ft house is not big enough, others get along fine in a small tent..... I don't know anyone who has lived on a 26 for a year, but I have heard of people bicycling for extended time periods, living in SMALL tents, so it should be possible, no problem....
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Tom Wootton
I think it would also depend...
...on the boat's systems. If I was contemplating such a move, I'd make sure I had the following: an autopilot, roller furling jib, multiple anchors and rodes with an adequate bow roller, plumbed-in head with overboard discharge and holding tank pumpout capabilities, beefed up electrical system including shore power and some alternative methods of charging the batteries, additional ventilation such as fans, And sufficient awnings/bimini/companionway canvas to make the cockpit useful as an extension of the living space in inclement weather. If the cruising ground warrants it, the canvas should incorporate no-see-um netting as well. I'd also want to make sure the existing systems are up to snuff; new bottom paint, renew any worn standing or running rigging, (especially centerboard control line) etc. Hopefully Ray will weigh in on this. He has done extended trips on his H26 and has done many modifications to his boat.
...on the boat's systems. If I was contemplating such a move, I'd make sure I had the following: an autopilot, roller furling jib, multiple anchors and rodes with an adequate bow roller, plumbed-in head with overboard discharge and holding tank pumpout capabilities, beefed up electrical system including shore power and some alternative methods of charging the batteries, additional ventilation such as fans, And sufficient awnings/bimini/companionway canvas to make the cockpit useful as an extension of the living space in inclement weather. If the cruising ground warrants it, the canvas should incorporate no-see-um netting as well. I'd also want to make sure the existing systems are up to snuff; new bottom paint, renew any worn standing or running rigging, (especially centerboard control line) etc. Hopefully Ray will weigh in on this. He has done extended trips on his H26 and has done many modifications to his boat.
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Frank
Stir Crazy
I think the 260 is a really nice boat. I know I could live on it with the appropriate gear. It is a huge boat for its short length. Also a lot of living together in small space will depend on how used you are to living with limited storage and space. Where you live aboard is important as well. If you are at a marina with a nice bath house and laundry; things are more simple that if you are always far from facilities.
I think the 260 is a really nice boat. I know I could live on it with the appropriate gear. It is a huge boat for its short length. Also a lot of living together in small space will depend on how used you are to living with limited storage and space. Where you live aboard is important as well. If you are at a marina with a nice bath house and laundry; things are more simple that if you are always far from facilities.
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Ray Bowles
Maz, Tom nailed this one real good. The gear
he advises you to have is right on. I would add a manual windless to raise the anchor. I pulled 50 meters of rode,10 meters of chain and a 7kg anchor this morning and it was real rough. Stuck in mud. Much harder than I usually experence. Those conditions can really hurt people of our age and that is not smart at all. Never again! Secondly, I would have a nice pick-up truck or large van with a diesel engine to pull the boat and trailer. We use our boat to live in when we pull her to other waters to sail on. Much cheaper than a motel. We stop at camp grounds every few days to use their facilities. A pump out system for your marine head is a must. Ours is deck mounted in the cockpit. When sailing, almost all marinas will pump out your holding tank. It is free where we sail and takes about 5 minutes. We have a 20 gal holding tank. (about 65-70 liters) We also have a side discharge port for times you are out more that 3 miles AT SEA (6km)that uses a macerator pump. I have made a small attachment that fits into this port with a hose attached and can empty my tank into all camper and motorhome dump sites while my boat sits on the trailer. This uses the AT SEA macerator pump. With our holding tank size we can spend 10 to 12 days sailing before the tank fills. Your dream can be done! It will be tight and a good truck to haul the boat and trailer is a must. Being cramped is OK on a boat and the other incovenences while sailing are easy to take or overcome. A truck that won't run or otherwise is a pain in the "arse" will not do at all! The truck offers a small space to recover from the adventures of sailing. It must not be another problem! Just my thoughts, now go out and pull this dream off. We start chasing our dream in 40 days. Ray S/V Speedy
he advises you to have is right on. I would add a manual windless to raise the anchor. I pulled 50 meters of rode,10 meters of chain and a 7kg anchor this morning and it was real rough. Stuck in mud. Much harder than I usually experence. Those conditions can really hurt people of our age and that is not smart at all. Never again! Secondly, I would have a nice pick-up truck or large van with a diesel engine to pull the boat and trailer. We use our boat to live in when we pull her to other waters to sail on. Much cheaper than a motel. We stop at camp grounds every few days to use their facilities. A pump out system for your marine head is a must. Ours is deck mounted in the cockpit. When sailing, almost all marinas will pump out your holding tank. It is free where we sail and takes about 5 minutes. We have a 20 gal holding tank. (about 65-70 liters) We also have a side discharge port for times you are out more that 3 miles AT SEA (6km)that uses a macerator pump. I have made a small attachment that fits into this port with a hose attached and can empty my tank into all camper and motorhome dump sites while my boat sits on the trailer. This uses the AT SEA macerator pump. With our holding tank size we can spend 10 to 12 days sailing before the tank fills. Your dream can be done! It will be tight and a good truck to haul the boat and trailer is a must. Being cramped is OK on a boat and the other incovenences while sailing are easy to take or overcome. A truck that won't run or otherwise is a pain in the "arse" will not do at all! The truck offers a small space to recover from the adventures of sailing. It must not be another problem! Just my thoughts, now go out and pull this dream off. We start chasing our dream in 40 days. Ray S/V Speedy
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Dan Johnson
Liveaboard
I work here in Los Angeles, and live in Las Vegas, and my 260 keel version has been my liveaboard for over 4 years now (I get back to Las Vegas two weekends a month). It is a bit cramped, but the marina is very nice, all the comforts of home! I have the usual on board, TV, VCR, microwave etc. I've accumulated a lot of stuff, and it does take a little longer to set up tp go sailing now, but not too bad. Two people could do it, if you kept the junk down to a minimum, and you enjoy each others company! I would like a bigger boat, but all in all it hasn't been a bad experience. Dan S/V "Unruly Julie"
I work here in Los Angeles, and live in Las Vegas, and my 260 keel version has been my liveaboard for over 4 years now (I get back to Las Vegas two weekends a month). It is a bit cramped, but the marina is very nice, all the comforts of home! I have the usual on board, TV, VCR, microwave etc. I've accumulated a lot of stuff, and it does take a little longer to set up tp go sailing now, but not too bad. Two people could do it, if you kept the junk down to a minimum, and you enjoy each others company! I would like a bigger boat, but all in all it hasn't been a bad experience. Dan S/V "Unruly Julie"
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Maz White
Thanks for all the input
G'Day Thanks for all the info, it has been a big help. Now the hard part starts. Small spaces don't bother us too much as we have lived in a small I bedroom apartment for the last 9 years attached to our backpacker hostel. We have also worked together for the last 18 years so I think we can put up with each others company. Thanks again, seems I will have to really save my pennies for all the extra gear I now need to buy. We also need more experience as I only have bareboating experience although my husband has done a long coastal trip with night sails. As I said the hard things are about to start. Thanks again. Maz
G'Day Thanks for all the info, it has been a big help. Now the hard part starts. Small spaces don't bother us too much as we have lived in a small I bedroom apartment for the last 9 years attached to our backpacker hostel. We have also worked together for the last 18 years so I think we can put up with each others company. Thanks again, seems I will have to really save my pennies for all the extra gear I now need to buy. We also need more experience as I only have bareboating experience although my husband has done a long coastal trip with night sails. As I said the hard things are about to start. Thanks again. Maz
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