Need some advice

[Les]

After all these years I think I need to downsize my boat. While I presently have the perfect Hunter (380) I am reluctantly thinking about letting it go and buying a new Hunter 27 for day sailing and weekend cruises. I'm in my mid-seventies and need an easier boat to sail. I want to stay with the Hunter brand.Can anyone who has sailed a recent Hunter 27 give me some feedback on how it sails? I will want roller furling main and jib but I suspect that will still give me enough sail power to enjoy myself. Does anyone have any other comments or advice for me. ThanksLes

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Les, I've not been around an H27, but at the ...

time we decide to downsize, I'll probably go back to our first boat, an H28 or H290. Nicely equipped and perfect for weekend or longer cruises.Terry

 

[Benny17441]

Les, I don't know if you have been aboard a new

h27 (not the 27X) but I'm probably 10 years younger than you and find it totally inadequate. It has no refrigeration, but space for a cooler, it has a 120V single burner stove for dock use only and the rear berth is best suited for a contortionist with no claustrophobia. The head enclosure is very small. I'll be honest, I do not know how it sails but from looking at the standing riggin and the boat's displacement I would surmise it may be quite tender and overall best suited for light coastal cruising or protected waters. If I recall the winches were small but self tailing. It is probably an excellent entry level boat for young agile people. If you are stepping down from a 380 I just don't see going to an h27. Look at the h280 or h290. We still keep an h27 Cherubini but that boat displaces 7000 lbs and feels and sails like a 30' boat. It has more storage room than the h320. Older boats with high aspect mainsails and the head sail on a furler provide easy sail handling. It is the newer boats with the large roach mains that give you a workout as they are quite heavy. I do not know if the h27 comes with in mast furling. In any instance choose the best boat for you, its better to compromise on comfort than to remain tied to the dock. Fair winds.

 

[David11054]

Good report from Reviews

There are about four reviews under "Boat Info/Model Information" in the menu above. (There are additional reviews of older models.) Those who comment on sailing characteristics give the new 27 very good grades, especially in light air, both for speed, and pointing. DavidLady Lillie(A '77 h27)

 

[Charlie]

Downsize

Les, this is from someone pushing 70 who went from a h336 to a h23.5 last year. I would suggest keeping what you have and doing what it takes to make it more senior friendly. If a furling main is what you need, consider a furl boom, and electric winches. If you are just going a bit smaller, it probably won't be worth the expense and hassle to make the newer boat fit your needs.

 

[seadaddler]

I loved My H-290

If I were you I would look at the Hunter 290 with Roller furl jiband Inmast Main 4 ft draft.It was a very easy boat to day sail and dock and I did not have Inmast Main,I owned the 290 for five years and did a lot of singled handed sailing and overnighters with two and four adults.The 290 has plenty of power to motor and roomy cockpit for four people,plenty of room down below and has an arch which makes sailing easy.The only reason I went to new bigger was for the Inmast windless AC and more rearberth room,we are retired and want to do more cruising and moving to florida,buythe time I added $$$$ of adding this equipement to the 290 a new bigger 36 soundedmuch better we even added a GEN and much more.I really think you should look at a 290 it is a great day sailer for singled handling and not real tender.I traded mine in and the dealer sold it before I took delivery on new boat.Nick

 

[Les]

Thanks all...Seadaddler,Charlie,David,Benny and Terry.

Hello all, Thanks for your advice--all of it good. Under some circumstances I might have come to the same conclusions.David, I hear you--my wife and I talked about finding a Ranger 29, our third boat. It was fun but I don't want to spend my time fixing things and boats that old need lots of tender care. I suspect an older H28 would mean the same work. On the other hand, the 290 is a possibility but again, I think of it as a medium sized boat and I'm looking for something smaller.Benny, you mentioned the H27 being for "young agile people." This is a concern of mine too. You may have a point. I'm planning to visit and talk to another owner of an H27. I'll see how agile he is....or looks. On the other hand, everything comes back to the cockpit--perhaps I can handle that.David, good advice. I did look at the review page and actually have already written one of those people who own a H27. He responded this morning and I am planning on meeting him and looking at his boat. Thanks.'Charlie. I have thought long and hard about this. My Hunter 380 is truly rigged for an old man who still has some stuff left in him. I'm not sure I do. Jumping down to the dock to tie up the lines is getting harder. Just thinking about painting the bottom or waxing the topsides is awe inspiring to me at this point. It is my attitude that I'm concerned about. The only thing this boat needs is the electric winch--I've got a total enclosure, roller furling main and jib, a beautiful boat in all respects. But my attitude is that it is a big mother and it is beginning to dominate me. Not good. It is time to go smaller. I have a colleague same age with a sister ship and he is just quitting sailing. He's going to stay home and read. I don't want to do that as yet. I wish you well.Sea, good advice except I am not going long distant cruising anymore. Maybe an overnight or two. That's it. So I don't need a lot of gear. Hell, I don't eat a lot anymore so a simple cooler will do. Jug of milk, some coffee, my hot cereal--I'm a happy man for any meal. Actually, for a day sail, a thermos of coffee, sandwich and a place to pee and I'm good for the day. Let's see, I hate to sound like an old man but ten gallon waste tank should hold me for the day, don't you think?. My oh my. What a discussion. Phil will probably kick me out on this one.....I have looked at an Alerion 28. Beautiful boat but too pricy for me and no head room. I'd like to stay with Hunter--this one, whatever model we choose, will be my fifth boat from the Hunter plant. I trust them. I've also looked at older Catalina 27s. Very popular and extreme loyalty from their owners. But they are not being made anymore and fixing one up is not for me. This also holds true with the Cal 25 and 28. I had a Cal and they are good boats--but no mainsail furling available. So the Hunter 27 is still in my sights.Thanks all for your advice. You reinforced some of my thinking and challenged some of my other ideas. I appreciate it. Les

 

[seadaddler]

Just A thought

I here you not wanting to fix up a boat any more,that's why I bought my 290 new and now my 36 new.I not sure but think maybe the H-27 might be a little tender,how aboutthe H-31 the last year I had my 290 some one just got the 31 in the marinaI was at. And it looked pretty good size boat,I only kept my 290 for winterstorage and did not get to find out how it was.Nick

 

[Charlie]

Les

We appreciate your carefully considered responses. Best of luck with your final determination, and let us know how things work out.

 

[Les]

I suspect you are right, Sea......

SeaI think you are correct--the Hunter 27 is probably a tender boat. Not very beamy and although it has a relatively deep keep the sides look soft so I think she will need to be reefed early on.. No problem though since we did that a lot with the Hunter 380. That is why I love the roller furling main--first step is to crank in on the reefing line but not let go of the outhaul and you flatten the entire sail. Then let go of the outhaul and crank in on the reefing line and your sail gets smaller. What a deal. I'll never go back to the old sailing rig with slab reefing. But another factor you weren't aware of is that Puget Sound and especially the San Juan Islands are considered light air sailing grounds. Rare day if we get to twenty knots. Ten to twelve much of the time. I like your thinking about new boats. I've had nine new boats over the years and the only time I had to do a lot of maintenance was when we chartered the Hunter 40. I'll not do that again either.My best to you, enjoy your sailing.Les

 

[s sauer]

Hunter 27 Specs

Les,Looking at the relatively low keel weight to displacemant; low engine horespower,and the sail area and mast height; I would assume this will be a relatively tender and somewhat underpowered boat.This comparison comes from a 63yr old who easily single hands a 22 year old deep draft 7,000 lb Hunter 28.5 with no roller furling, a 41' mast and 18 HP engine. The 27 does not appear to be as stable.

 

[ronfxr]

another idea

Have you ever thought of taking on a younger partner to help crew the boat and offer to them the option being on wonderful boat and good friendship. I use younger people who can not affored to own a boat. Ron

 

[Les]

I'm still thinking, thanks for the advice--Sauer, Ronfxr

Well Mr. Sauer, I completely agree with you--the early Hunter's were a bit heavier then they make them now. And I am truly enviable that you can sail with ease (but you have twelve years on me, youngster). I don't want to get into a thinking match with myself and say what i should have done many years ago--I've had a good ride and want to continue my sailing. So a lighter weight and smaller boat (not necessarily a Hunter, but I do like Hunter quality) seems to be one answer. I would disagree with you that the Hunter 27 is underpowered. It has plenty of sail area in a useable rig. The 14 horsepower diesel that comes with it apparently can push the boat easily to cruising speed of 6 knots. Seems adequate to me.Perry, a intelligent thought. I have briefly tried this. I do have a young woman at our local university who would love to help me but she has classes and a social life as well. It takes too much planning to arrange this and as I sit in my office here at home I look out on Bellingham Bay and say to myself, "What a great day for sail." I just wanta go somedays. The same thought applies to a number of my retired colleagues who when called are repairing this or that at home, doing a honeydo list, or have already gone somewheres. Too much trouble. Yes, it can be planned but I am at a stage life when planning is more then I want to do. Thanks all for your remarks. You challenge my thinking.Les