We just bought a Hunter 26 and plan to use it for weekend get-aways. What are the most essential "extras" to purchase? It came with a canvas pop-top, but no screen or enclosure. We saw an enclosure for sale on this website, but it costs $400.00 is it worth the money?
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Ron Fraboni
Make Your Own Screens
I have a "94 H26 and have always found that my "home-made" screens worked fine to keep unwanted critters out of the cabin. Buy a roll of velcro which has both sides which make the bond.You can buy self-adhesive type if you look. Then glue one side to the base around the front hatch/window bottom - four sides - on the header around the window. Do the same thing around the cockpit opening where the entry boards go, with a strip on the front top area of the sliding cover to complete the whole covering. I would suggest some type of waterproof glue such as Marine GOOP or the like even if you use the self-adhesive velcro. . Once you have the base strips in place and it is dried, cut identical strips which will mate with the glued-on strips. Precut screening fabric which can be purchased at marine stores or outdoor stores - to fit over the openings. Leave a little extra all around and you can cut it off later. Glue the screening fabric to the second attached piece of velcro for a perfect matchup. Let the glue dry and then the screens can be peeled off the base velcro and you have your "poor-man's" screening for a few bucks. We are still using our original screens and they are very durable if you take care of them. The large hatch screening can be used with one or more of the boards to allow air as desired. If you want to go out to the cockpit, yes, part of the screening will have to come off - so this can be seen as a drawback to this system. Good Luck.
I have a "94 H26 and have always found that my "home-made" screens worked fine to keep unwanted critters out of the cabin. Buy a roll of velcro which has both sides which make the bond.You can buy self-adhesive type if you look. Then glue one side to the base around the front hatch/window bottom - four sides - on the header around the window. Do the same thing around the cockpit opening where the entry boards go, with a strip on the front top area of the sliding cover to complete the whole covering. I would suggest some type of waterproof glue such as Marine GOOP or the like even if you use the self-adhesive velcro. . Once you have the base strips in place and it is dried, cut identical strips which will mate with the glued-on strips. Precut screening fabric which can be purchased at marine stores or outdoor stores - to fit over the openings. Leave a little extra all around and you can cut it off later. Glue the screening fabric to the second attached piece of velcro for a perfect matchup. Let the glue dry and then the screens can be peeled off the base velcro and you have your "poor-man's" screening for a few bucks. We are still using our original screens and they are very durable if you take care of them. The large hatch screening can be used with one or more of the boards to allow air as desired. If you want to go out to the cockpit, yes, part of the screening will have to come off - so this can be seen as a drawback to this system. Good Luck.
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Mike Pajewski
Camper Canvas is OK
What you saw on the website was the camper canvas, which was an option on a new boat. I had the canvas on my 23.5, which truly made a difference in headroom. I have not been on a 26/260 with the camper kit, and my boat didn't come with it. It does allow a lot of air to circulate through the boat and does keep the bugs out. You can't use it underway and you have to drill and install about 36 or so snaps into the deck. It's on my wish list, probably for next spring though. It was never a high priority for me as I am 5-11, which is just about how much headroom there is in a 26. I made a drop in companionway scrreen for my 26 out of mahogany screen mold and standard vinyl screens. It works really well. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
What you saw on the website was the camper canvas, which was an option on a new boat. I had the canvas on my 23.5, which truly made a difference in headroom. I have not been on a 26/260 with the camper kit, and my boat didn't come with it. It does allow a lot of air to circulate through the boat and does keep the bugs out. You can't use it underway and you have to drill and install about 36 or so snaps into the deck. It's on my wish list, probably for next spring though. It was never a high priority for me as I am 5-11, which is just about how much headroom there is in a 26. I made a drop in companionway scrreen for my 26 out of mahogany screen mold and standard vinyl screens. It works really well. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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Russ King
Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat
Jerry Cardwell wrote a book with this title. His premise is that you don't need a big sailboat to enjoy cruising. But you do want certain amenities to make cruising in a small boat enjoyable and safe. You don't have to be uncomfortable on a small sailboat. Canvas or screen enclosures, cockpit cushions, biminis, showers, even air conditioning for comfort. GPS & nav gear, compass, roller furling, etc., for safety. Interesting book, there are some very good ideas in it. Can you sail without these things? Sure. Will you want to? Not for long.
Jerry Cardwell wrote a book with this title. His premise is that you don't need a big sailboat to enjoy cruising. But you do want certain amenities to make cruising in a small boat enjoyable and safe. You don't have to be uncomfortable on a small sailboat. Canvas or screen enclosures, cockpit cushions, biminis, showers, even air conditioning for comfort. GPS & nav gear, compass, roller furling, etc., for safety. Interesting book, there are some very good ideas in it. Can you sail without these things? Sure. Will you want to? Not for long.
Sailing Big on a Small Boat
This is an excellent book and should be mandatory reading for all small boat sailors. It does a great job of separating the "niceties" of sailing from the necessities. Of course, you should fine-tune your wish list based on your own personal sailing style (and budget). I myself am a fan of the "less-is-more" approach to sailing. I figure if I can have as much fun as the guy in the next boat while spending less money then I am ahead of the game. However, I don't skimp when it comes to the essentials, which for me include: two anchors (plow and Danforth) each with 100 feet of nylon and chain rode, six fenders, extra dock lines, hatch screens, real PFDs, a handheld VHF, solar panel, tiller pilot, depth sounder, bimini, proper sail cover, decent charts, a good compass, two flashlights (one red for night vision) and a floating lantern. The required CG emergency eqpt (flares, smoke, first aid kits etc.) are all on board. A knotmeter/log, chutescoop and cruising spinnaker are on the list ahead of the GPS and roller furling. The drink holders and AC can wait. Have fun fitting out your boat! Peter S/V Raven
This is an excellent book and should be mandatory reading for all small boat sailors. It does a great job of separating the "niceties" of sailing from the necessities. Of course, you should fine-tune your wish list based on your own personal sailing style (and budget). I myself am a fan of the "less-is-more" approach to sailing. I figure if I can have as much fun as the guy in the next boat while spending less money then I am ahead of the game. However, I don't skimp when it comes to the essentials, which for me include: two anchors (plow and Danforth) each with 100 feet of nylon and chain rode, six fenders, extra dock lines, hatch screens, real PFDs, a handheld VHF, solar panel, tiller pilot, depth sounder, bimini, proper sail cover, decent charts, a good compass, two flashlights (one red for night vision) and a floating lantern. The required CG emergency eqpt (flares, smoke, first aid kits etc.) are all on board. A knotmeter/log, chutescoop and cruising spinnaker are on the list ahead of the GPS and roller furling. The drink holders and AC can wait. Have fun fitting out your boat! Peter S/V Raven
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G. Ned Christensen
Companionway Cover
Congratualtions on buying a wonderful boat. We have many additions to our '95 H26, but the one that I value most is a Sunbrella companionway cover that snaps over the entire sliding hatch and down over the hatch boards. It has a mesh ( as well as solid fabric - total to two layers) over the hatch board area. This cover lets you roll up the solid layer to let in fresh air when moored and preserves privacy. It keeps sun off interior and teak hatch boards when boat is stored (and helps keep water out). It keeps you from removing the hatch boards a hundred times when you leave the boat for a few minutes when in a marina - just roll down the cover. Both the solid fabric and the mesh are weighted in the bottom with sand, to keep them down and from falling into the companionway opening. If you need more details, just post a message and I would be glad to email you more information. Ned Christensen Second Wind Eugene, OR
Congratualtions on buying a wonderful boat. We have many additions to our '95 H26, but the one that I value most is a Sunbrella companionway cover that snaps over the entire sliding hatch and down over the hatch boards. It has a mesh ( as well as solid fabric - total to two layers) over the hatch board area. This cover lets you roll up the solid layer to let in fresh air when moored and preserves privacy. It keeps sun off interior and teak hatch boards when boat is stored (and helps keep water out). It keeps you from removing the hatch boards a hundred times when you leave the boat for a few minutes when in a marina - just roll down the cover. Both the solid fabric and the mesh are weighted in the bottom with sand, to keep them down and from falling into the companionway opening. If you need more details, just post a message and I would be glad to email you more information. Ned Christensen Second Wind Eugene, OR
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