Hi, I have been racing and sailing catamarans for 22 years but now I'm getting very interested in keel boats, racing, and cruising. I've watched the Hunters cruise by the house for years and I sure like the look of them. I've just ordered US Sails "Basic Keel Boat" and "Basic Cruising" for a starter. I'm thinking the 27-29 foot boats offer the features I'm looking for, including cruising around the lake, weekend overnights, racing, entertaining friends and family. I was wondering if 27-29 foot Hunters are good beginner boats. If they are like catamarans, certain makes and models are easier to sail, less finiky, and help keep one out of trouble. Are these boats good first boats or second boats? Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Scott in White Bear Lake Minn
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Ray Bowles
Scott, Your no darn "Newbie". I am!
Your transfer from multi hull is a heck of a lot easier than my entry from the street. Playing with anything that has more that 1 part is advanced behavior. Simple, basic, 1 part sailboats are a blast, only if your good enough. Hell, anyone can go fast in a drag car. I've been there. Very few can go fast on a bicycle. Do you get the picture? You know how to ride! Now can you go fast? We both know you can. I love my H26, so would you. Ray S/V Speedy
Your transfer from multi hull is a heck of a lot easier than my entry from the street. Playing with anything that has more that 1 part is advanced behavior. Simple, basic, 1 part sailboats are a blast, only if your good enough. Hell, anyone can go fast in a drag car. I've been there. Very few can go fast on a bicycle. Do you get the picture? You know how to ride! Now can you go fast? We both know you can. I love my H26, so would you. Ray S/V Speedy
R
Rich Campbell
H29.5
I have a family of five and we stay weekends on our 1996 H29.5 on Lake Pend O'reille, a large lake in North Idaho. It was our first sailboat after learning to sail on hobie cats. I found her very forgiving, once I learned to reduce sail early due to the B&R rig sail plan. I haven't raced her, but do not think she'd fair very well. She is a very good boat for entertaining, however, with the large cockpit design and stern rail seats. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer them as best I can. richc@mdblaw.com
I have a family of five and we stay weekends on our 1996 H29.5 on Lake Pend O'reille, a large lake in North Idaho. It was our first sailboat after learning to sail on hobie cats. I found her very forgiving, once I learned to reduce sail early due to the B&R rig sail plan. I haven't raced her, but do not think she'd fair very well. She is a very good boat for entertaining, however, with the large cockpit design and stern rail seats. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer them as best I can. richc@mdblaw.com
A
Al S
I did the same thing...
moved from a 16 foot cat (AMF Trac 16 to be exact) to an H28. I thought it was about right, but I also sailed dingys and a 22 footer in college. I don't race anymore so I don't know how the Hunters compete on the racing end. As far as cruising/weekending is concerned, some things to think about. The newer Hunters with the full B n R rigging don't downwind very well, you might find yourself wanting a cruising chute. The older 88-93 Hunter 28's are a good beginning boat but with some problems, see the review on the Mid-size boats forum. I was more impressed with the 290's cabin layout which avoided some of the sins of the H28 design and opened things up a bit more. Overall I thought the switch from a cat to a monohull was pretty easy, but I didn't sail cats exclusively before stepping up.
moved from a 16 foot cat (AMF Trac 16 to be exact) to an H28. I thought it was about right, but I also sailed dingys and a 22 footer in college. I don't race anymore so I don't know how the Hunters compete on the racing end. As far as cruising/weekending is concerned, some things to think about. The newer Hunters with the full B n R rigging don't downwind very well, you might find yourself wanting a cruising chute. The older 88-93 Hunter 28's are a good beginning boat but with some problems, see the review on the Mid-size boats forum. I was more impressed with the 290's cabin layout which avoided some of the sins of the H28 design and opened things up a bit more. Overall I thought the switch from a cat to a monohull was pretty easy, but I didn't sail cats exclusively before stepping up.
T
Tim McCarty
The Cherubini 272 is a great start!
I purchased my h27 '82 in '95 after sailing for about 2 years. Let's put it this way...after sailing heavily on the Great Lakes for 6 years, I still own it! It's a great sailing boat. A very easy rig, everything is rigged aft, yanmar 1 gm, lots of sail area...great design, AND, you can get these boats for (almost) a song!
I purchased my h27 '82 in '95 after sailing for about 2 years. Let's put it this way...after sailing heavily on the Great Lakes for 6 years, I still own it! It's a great sailing boat. A very easy rig, everything is rigged aft, yanmar 1 gm, lots of sail area...great design, AND, you can get these boats for (almost) a song!
S
Scott Freeberg
Thanks for Advice
Thanks very much for your responses to my newbie question. I appreciate folks offering advice to a beginner. I hoping to visit the Hunter dealer tomorrow and start talking with them. Thanks again, Scott
Thanks very much for your responses to my newbie question. I appreciate folks offering advice to a beginner. I hoping to visit the Hunter dealer tomorrow and start talking with them. Thanks again, Scott
P
Palmer King
Hunter 290 and years
I recently purchased a 2001 H29. After much searching and wondering, I still believe Hunter, esp. in recent years, to be the best bang for the buck. The B&R Rig takes some mental adjustment. All the drive is in the main. You can downwind run very well if you pick a port or starboard run. Forget wing-on-wing. The shrouds get in the way of letting the main all the way out. In 13 - 15 kt winds, I can easily sustain around 6 kts on all points of sail, and I've touched 7.2 kts once when things were perfect (and a 17 kt wind with calm seas). So, yes, they can be competitive, esp. in PHRF. I've got my complaints, but all are minor, and some just down right picky. Hunter's aren't perfect, but they are a great buy.
I recently purchased a 2001 H29. After much searching and wondering, I still believe Hunter, esp. in recent years, to be the best bang for the buck. The B&R Rig takes some mental adjustment. All the drive is in the main. You can downwind run very well if you pick a port or starboard run. Forget wing-on-wing. The shrouds get in the way of letting the main all the way out. In 13 - 15 kt winds, I can easily sustain around 6 kts on all points of sail, and I've touched 7.2 kts once when things were perfect (and a 17 kt wind with calm seas). So, yes, they can be competitive, esp. in PHRF. I've got my complaints, but all are minor, and some just down right picky. Hunter's aren't perfect, but they are a great buy.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.