Looking at a 326 on Saturday

[Juice6576]

Going to check out a H326 this weekend. Anything that I should look for? We looked at some boats last week, including a 356. The 356 had an odor problem and a large number of dessicant traps and buckets. Do these boats have a mildew or moisture issue?

 

[stephen Penny]

Boats can have a smell if the head joker valve and head to holding tank hose was not replaced, in my experience. Upon the purchase of a 1987 Hunter 31 in November 2009 and a 2004 Hunter 386 in February 2011. In each case I replaced the head joker valve and head to holding tank hose and the smell went away. These are often over-looked maintenance items.

 

[Steve Walsh]

If sheet winch location is important to you, check their location. I think models without the mariners package located the sheet winches on the cabin top vs beside the helm. Easy to overlook until sea trial. I sailed a 326 a few weeks ago in 18-20k winds and it was a blast, getting 6.5 knots (GPS) with no reefs and a very dirty bottom. However, the cabin top winches would be a kind of annoying if singlehanding, having to stand between the helm and the cabin top to tack. Horizontally mounted stern cleats where a little awkward to reach to get a line on in a hurry: the arch kind of blocked the access a bit.

 

[Paul356]

No inherent mildew problem I've ever been aware of. Must have been a one-off. Hope it works out.

 

[Ken13559]

The H326 comes standard with winch on coach-roof. The winches on coaming is for spinnaker (option) which you can fit yourself easily. I think most boat has mildew problem. Its matter of ventilating it adequately I think. My H326 has quite some weatherhelm. I also noted she sails better with Mains eased and slack slightly rather than trim bar tight when sailing close-haul. The 2GM20F seem alittle under powered for this boat. Many-a-time I wish for a 3GM30F or 3YM30. Cockpit is very large compared to the H33 and saloon area narrower than H33. Anchor locker is shallow with chain jammed easily but can easily be resolve by hand/stick feeding it into the locker.
I think the finishing quality og H326 is poorer compare to H33. Edges of saloon fibreglass molding are sharp. Thru-hulls are "all over the places" some hard to reach i.s.o. together at one location under a floor board. Cut-outs for aircon are already there, so its easy for you install aircon yourself. If I were to choose between H326 and H33, I still go for H326.

 

[Juice6576]

Well, the boat was in OK shape. Not an open locker or bin to be found. A lot of stuff packed in the boat. Lots of gel coat stripe damage. Suspect it was a mooring bouy boat in the Chicago Park system. Wife felt it was cramped inside. We've decided to get a new 33.