Next Spring we plan on purchasing a new Hunter for Great Lakes cruising. We currently sail a Hunter 22. We are in our 70's and want size up.(Wow). Your thoughts please, on the 306 or the 326. We think that the in mast furling would be a great asset. Thanks, Andy and Lee
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
E
Ed
Went through the same thing two years ago
My wife and I wanted a boat to cruise the Shore areas of the Northeast two years ago and setteled on a 306. Then we went back to the dealer and spent time aboard the 306 and 326. This is what we found. The 306 was a great boat - but to get it to be an "overnighter" they needed to cram a lot of stuff into a small boat. This meant that the cockpit suffered. It was tiny. I liked it fine but the tape measure didn't lie! The 240 cockpit was much bigger and we envisioned being in the cockpit more than in the cabin. That being said, we were not in the market for a day sailor, so the 240 wasn't a consideration, just making a point. We went back and spent some time on the 326 and found that it was just that much bigger and fit the bill better. Bought the 326 and was NEVER sorry that it wasn't the 306. Check out the above deck area and you will find a significant difference. Than being said - the 356 was brough out after the purchase decision, and I must say if I were buying a boat in this size range again - it would be the 356. Biggest damn 35 boat I have ever seen!!!!!! Comfortable, good living space and the hull design is superior. We now have a 426 DS which is a similar design to the 356 and love it. No matter what you decide you will be happy with a new Hunter. I am just partial to the newer designs. I have heard - though not from anyone reliable, that the 326 is being replaced with a new design - that might be worth waiting for (I belive it to be soon)
My wife and I wanted a boat to cruise the Shore areas of the Northeast two years ago and setteled on a 306. Then we went back to the dealer and spent time aboard the 306 and 326. This is what we found. The 306 was a great boat - but to get it to be an "overnighter" they needed to cram a lot of stuff into a small boat. This meant that the cockpit suffered. It was tiny. I liked it fine but the tape measure didn't lie! The 240 cockpit was much bigger and we envisioned being in the cockpit more than in the cabin. That being said, we were not in the market for a day sailor, so the 240 wasn't a consideration, just making a point. We went back and spent some time on the 326 and found that it was just that much bigger and fit the bill better. Bought the 326 and was NEVER sorry that it wasn't the 306. Check out the above deck area and you will find a significant difference. Than being said - the 356 was brough out after the purchase decision, and I must say if I were buying a boat in this size range again - it would be the 356. Biggest damn 35 boat I have ever seen!!!!!! Comfortable, good living space and the hull design is superior. We now have a 426 DS which is a similar design to the 356 and love it. No matter what you decide you will be happy with a new Hunter. I am just partial to the newer designs. I have heard - though not from anyone reliable, that the 326 is being replaced with a new design - that might be worth waiting for (I belive it to be soon)
P
Paul Hitchcox
Went with 290
I went through the same question three years ago; for Casco Bay in Maine, I needed a bigger boat. The 290 (the same plan and hull as the 306) provided the right amount of features for the price. The 326 was that much more expensive, and though bigger, didn't really add that much, IMO. Now the 356 really is the bigger boat with more to offer (at least for Atlantic sailing). I did get inmast furling which is wonderful except in light winds; the lack of a roach definitely hurts performance, but when the winds howling, you can't beat the ease of an inmast. (And apparently, you are not allowed to refer to inmast furling and performance in the same sentence.) The prior post referenced the small cockpit; for 2-4 people, its fine. Any more is definitely a crowd. Finally, we have been away on two five day trips, with 2 and 4 people total; 2 was much better than 4, but both doable. Good luck with your selection (and you may want to look at the new Hunter 33 while you decide).
I went through the same question three years ago; for Casco Bay in Maine, I needed a bigger boat. The 290 (the same plan and hull as the 306) provided the right amount of features for the price. The 326 was that much more expensive, and though bigger, didn't really add that much, IMO. Now the 356 really is the bigger boat with more to offer (at least for Atlantic sailing). I did get inmast furling which is wonderful except in light winds; the lack of a roach definitely hurts performance, but when the winds howling, you can't beat the ease of an inmast. (And apparently, you are not allowed to refer to inmast furling and performance in the same sentence.) The prior post referenced the small cockpit; for 2-4 people, its fine. Any more is definitely a crowd. Finally, we have been away on two five day trips, with 2 and 4 people total; 2 was much better than 4, but both doable. Good luck with your selection (and you may want to look at the new Hunter 33 while you decide).
N
nick maggio
290-306 the sameI
This is my second year with my 290 same boat as 306 and I love it I don't have in mast and its a great boat. The 326 is a lot more money for a little bigger and it depends what kind of sailing your going to be doing bigger is better if your going to have more people with you or if your going to take a lot of trips for a week or so but if your going to do mostly day sailing with just 2 or 4 people the 306 is plenty. Some day I would love to get a 340 or 356 but for now the 290 is just fine small is very easy to sail and handles very well with a lot less help.
This is my second year with my 290 same boat as 306 and I love it I don't have in mast and its a great boat. The 326 is a lot more money for a little bigger and it depends what kind of sailing your going to be doing bigger is better if your going to have more people with you or if your going to take a lot of trips for a week or so but if your going to do mostly day sailing with just 2 or 4 people the 306 is plenty. Some day I would love to get a 340 or 356 but for now the 290 is just fine small is very easy to sail and handles very well with a lot less help.
A
Al
We bought a 326 and sold it for a 356.
I agree with Ed. Please check out the 356 before you settle on either of the others. Any time being spent aboard will be more comfortable - separate shower, larger fluid quantities, more storage, and literally TWO tons of more stability. Check it out, then decide. Al Dream Catcher (356)
I agree with Ed. Please check out the 356 before you settle on either of the others. Any time being spent aboard will be more comfortable - separate shower, larger fluid quantities, more storage, and literally TWO tons of more stability. Check it out, then decide. Al Dream Catcher (356)
P
Palmer King
Cost is the key
I debated for quite a while between the 290 (was the last on the lot) and 326. Being tall (6'4"), I was biased to bigger, but settled on the 290 because it was considerably less expensive and was almost the same. Admittedly, I'm cramped for headroom, but I've had as many as ten people aboard sailing to a raft-up and managed each time. I spent 3 weeks cruising both Florida Coasts and was never uncomfortable. Yeah, I'd like a 426 or 456, but that's still a few years away. BTW, the 290/306 is a pocket rocket once you realize it sails more like a Hobie or Prindle than a conventional rig. Blade the jib, pull in the main and point high. In good wind (15kn - 20kn), I've chased down a Benetau 352, and in a high-wind race (20kn at start, 30kn at finish), we kept up with a Tartan 41. Some very concerned skippers on the other boats. Lost ground on the downwind run though.
I debated for quite a while between the 290 (was the last on the lot) and 326. Being tall (6'4"), I was biased to bigger, but settled on the 290 because it was considerably less expensive and was almost the same. Admittedly, I'm cramped for headroom, but I've had as many as ten people aboard sailing to a raft-up and managed each time. I spent 3 weeks cruising both Florida Coasts and was never uncomfortable. Yeah, I'd like a 426 or 456, but that's still a few years away. BTW, the 290/306 is a pocket rocket once you realize it sails more like a Hobie or Prindle than a conventional rig. Blade the jib, pull in the main and point high. In good wind (15kn - 20kn), I've chased down a Benetau 352, and in a high-wind race (20kn at start, 30kn at finish), we kept up with a Tartan 41. Some very concerned skippers on the other boats. Lost ground on the downwind run though.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.