I am looking at a 1994 model Hunter 26 water ballast. It has had only a brief saltwater visit and spent the rest of its years in fresh water. While a little on the unkept side it appears to be all there and little abused. It has a Tohatsu outboard and sits on a tandem galvanized factory trailer. What would be a fair price for this boat (has stern seats, roller furling, handheld GPS, handheld VHF, used dinghy, propane grill and mostly the standard package beyond that) ?, and, what specific problem areas, if any, should I be focusing on ?
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John Pollitt
Price.....
That you got to this forum means you should be aware of the for sale section. I'd compare the prices and equip. there to what you are looking at. Also the owner's reviews detail some problem areas that may or may not exist on the one you are looking at. And don't forget to make sure the trailer is in good shape as well, especially the brakes. If it's in "unkept" condition, could be a lot of things that need attention, so I'd make sure you look it over very well. Best of Luck, John S/V Icymoon
That you got to this forum means you should be aware of the for sale section. I'd compare the prices and equip. there to what you are looking at. Also the owner's reviews detail some problem areas that may or may not exist on the one you are looking at. And don't forget to make sure the trailer is in good shape as well, especially the brakes. If it's in "unkept" condition, could be a lot of things that need attention, so I'd make sure you look it over very well. Best of Luck, John S/V Icymoon
You be the judge.
Tim: You be the judge. There are several for sale on this website. They range from $15k-22.5. Be sure that your vehicle can tow this much load.
Tim: You be the judge. There are several for sale on this website. They range from $15k-22.5. Be sure that your vehicle can tow this much load.
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David Foster
Check the web
There are a number of sites with hundreds of boats for sale. You can quickly determine the price range for any common model. (Steve's summary of this site is probably good already.) David Lady Lillie
There are a number of sites with hundreds of boats for sale. You can quickly determine the price range for any common model. (Steve's summary of this site is probably good already.) David Lady Lillie
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Paul H
Buying a H26
As most of the guys have said before, go on line and compare. That's what I did before we bought our H26 PLUS once you find one that you like have a marine survey done to determine if it is really worth the asking price. We live in Indiana and went all the way to Florida to pick up our boat AFTER the survey results came back. Paid a little more tha I wanted bought she was worth it and in great shape. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
As most of the guys have said before, go on line and compare. That's what I did before we bought our H26 PLUS once you find one that you like have a marine survey done to determine if it is really worth the asking price. We live in Indiana and went all the way to Florida to pick up our boat AFTER the survey results came back. Paid a little more tha I wanted bought she was worth it and in great shape. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Tim Daley
Paul H.
What is your personal experience with the H26 ? I have sailed on this boat twice (several years ago) and have my own impressions. I guess I really wasn't very clear in my original message. I was looking for personal experiences more than anything else. I monitor several boating/classified websites on a regular basis and was also a professional (whatever that is !) purchasing guy for a dozen years so I have looked a lot at pricing. Also, by "unkempt" my intention was to convey that this guy (a long-time and close friend) is a little bit of a slob, the boat has sat idle a lot after a divorce and re-marriage, there were two dogs involved , and elbow grease will take care of 99% of it (I think). Thanks, Tim
What is your personal experience with the H26 ? I have sailed on this boat twice (several years ago) and have my own impressions. I guess I really wasn't very clear in my original message. I was looking for personal experiences more than anything else. I monitor several boating/classified websites on a regular basis and was also a professional (whatever that is !) purchasing guy for a dozen years so I have looked a lot at pricing. Also, by "unkempt" my intention was to convey that this guy (a long-time and close friend) is a little bit of a slob, the boat has sat idle a lot after a divorce and re-marriage, there were two dogs involved , and elbow grease will take care of 99% of it (I think). Thanks, Tim
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John Pollitt
Impressions
I'm quite pleased with my 95 H26. I wanted a boat big enough to spend time on, and one that was easy to singlehand (both on the water and off), and the H26 more than fills the bill. John
I'm quite pleased with my 95 H26. I wanted a boat big enough to spend time on, and one that was easy to singlehand (both on the water and off), and the H26 more than fills the bill. John
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Paul H
IMpressionsII
Tim, I thoroughly agree with John!! Love our boat. The maintenance so far has been minmal. I was concerned at first whether I could do all the stuff required after reading alot of the postings but it turned out ok. I got much help from the people on this site. The boat handles well. She's a little tender at first under a stiff breeze but she settles down. It's comfortable for two- four people to spend over night. Don't particularly care for the foam pad in the aft compartment. Usually bring an extra pad when spending the night. We took a trip last summer down our lake. Around 55 nautical miles round trip. Our boat did great no major problems other than I bled the batteries to low and had to hand start the outboard. I single handed it last summer for the first time. Had some problems but mostly due to my inexperience. If the boat heels to much she'll round up into the wind. We've had as much as a 25 to 30 degree heel on her. Doesn't do much for speed but real exciting!! She is a real forgiving boat. Helped to have a auto tiller on board. The tiller tamer does ok but doesn't stay on course for any extended period of time.Trailering her is real easy. My boat is slipped most of the time. The only time she gets out on the trailer is for fall maintainence and draining the water ballast. Dropping the mast is easy. Getting it back up is a little more of a challenge. Would recommend having a friend or your spouse help to lift the mast up initially to get you going. Hope I didn't get to long winded. Overall, we love her. There is a Mac 26X slipped two slots down. She looks nice but I wouldn't trade my H26 for two of those. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Tim, I thoroughly agree with John!! Love our boat. The maintenance so far has been minmal. I was concerned at first whether I could do all the stuff required after reading alot of the postings but it turned out ok. I got much help from the people on this site. The boat handles well. She's a little tender at first under a stiff breeze but she settles down. It's comfortable for two- four people to spend over night. Don't particularly care for the foam pad in the aft compartment. Usually bring an extra pad when spending the night. We took a trip last summer down our lake. Around 55 nautical miles round trip. Our boat did great no major problems other than I bled the batteries to low and had to hand start the outboard. I single handed it last summer for the first time. Had some problems but mostly due to my inexperience. If the boat heels to much she'll round up into the wind. We've had as much as a 25 to 30 degree heel on her. Doesn't do much for speed but real exciting!! She is a real forgiving boat. Helped to have a auto tiller on board. The tiller tamer does ok but doesn't stay on course for any extended period of time.Trailering her is real easy. My boat is slipped most of the time. The only time she gets out on the trailer is for fall maintainence and draining the water ballast. Dropping the mast is easy. Getting it back up is a little more of a challenge. Would recommend having a friend or your spouse help to lift the mast up initially to get you going. Hope I didn't get to long winded. Overall, we love her. There is a Mac 26X slipped two slots down. She looks nice but I wouldn't trade my H26 for two of those. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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John Powell
Trailer brakes
I sold a Catalina 270 last year that had a trailer with it. The buyer had a mechanic check the brakes with the understanding that if they were OK, he would pay the charge, but if not, I would pay the mechanic to have them fixed. The bottom line is that the brakes were shot and required major repair. He would have put himself in danger trying to tow the boat with the brakes as they were. If I were buying a boat and trailer, I would be sure to have the brakes checked. Good luck. John
I sold a Catalina 270 last year that had a trailer with it. The buyer had a mechanic check the brakes with the understanding that if they were OK, he would pay the charge, but if not, I would pay the mechanic to have them fixed. The bottom line is that the brakes were shot and required major repair. He would have put himself in danger trying to tow the boat with the brakes as they were. If I were buying a boat and trailer, I would be sure to have the brakes checked. Good luck. John
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Rick E.
Buying a Hunter 26
Tim: We purchased a used H26 from this site, & as a result, I have my own list of things to check prior to making a purchase. First, if the boat sat around for a while, you will have to recaulk all of the openings - hatch, companionway, mast step, etc. Check to make sure there are no structural defects around these areas. Second, you should get the purchaser (or be prepared to pay for it yourself) to professionally clean the vessel, both inside & out. We insisted upon this condition, & everyone thought we purchased a brand new boat. Third, you should put colored water in the ballast tank before you make the purchase to ensure that it does not leak. In my experience, the only way to know this for sure is to take the boat for a good workout with the dye in the tank. You can then check under the settees, in the bilge, & in the inspection lid, to see if there is colored water anywhere that it does not belong. The rest - rigging, sail trim, amenities, trailering - is trial & error. Most days, we are extremely happy with this boat. Our lake is quite big, & the Hunter 26 can handle itself nicely if the rigging is taut & the sails are reefed early! Other days, I think of a fixed keel. On balance, though, the design, mobility and performance, seem well suited for reasonably protected waters. I hope this helps, Rick Engel S/V Moonglow
Tim: We purchased a used H26 from this site, & as a result, I have my own list of things to check prior to making a purchase. First, if the boat sat around for a while, you will have to recaulk all of the openings - hatch, companionway, mast step, etc. Check to make sure there are no structural defects around these areas. Second, you should get the purchaser (or be prepared to pay for it yourself) to professionally clean the vessel, both inside & out. We insisted upon this condition, & everyone thought we purchased a brand new boat. Third, you should put colored water in the ballast tank before you make the purchase to ensure that it does not leak. In my experience, the only way to know this for sure is to take the boat for a good workout with the dye in the tank. You can then check under the settees, in the bilge, & in the inspection lid, to see if there is colored water anywhere that it does not belong. The rest - rigging, sail trim, amenities, trailering - is trial & error. Most days, we are extremely happy with this boat. Our lake is quite big, & the Hunter 26 can handle itself nicely if the rigging is taut & the sails are reefed early! Other days, I think of a fixed keel. On balance, though, the design, mobility and performance, seem well suited for reasonably protected waters. I hope this helps, Rick Engel S/V Moonglow
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Larry P.
Hunter 26
You should consider getting a survey done on the boat. It may well be the best $200.00 or so spent. It is also a good thing to have for insurance purposes.....
You should consider getting a survey done on the boat. It may well be the best $200.00 or so spent. It is also a good thing to have for insurance purposes.....
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Tim Daley
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Alan Long
Ballast Tank Leaks
I had a ballast tank leak in my 23.5, which is a similar boat. Turns out that the screws that held the porta-potti were too long and had penetrated the ballast tank. When I removed them to install a new porta-potti the ballast tank started leaking. I realize that the head arrangement on the 26 is different...just wanted to let you know my experience Alan
I had a ballast tank leak in my 23.5, which is a similar boat. Turns out that the screws that held the porta-potti were too long and had penetrated the ballast tank. When I removed them to install a new porta-potti the ballast tank started leaking. I realize that the head arrangement on the 26 is different...just wanted to let you know my experience Alan
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Rick E.
Water Ballast Tank
Tim: I have not had any problems with leaks in the tank, but from my experience with this forum, there are others who have noticed small leaks from misplaced screws, hair-line cracks, freezing, etc. We had a problem with water in the bilge, but it came from other sources - leaking companionway, & through the hole in the transom for the battery wires to the engine. As mentioned in my first message, these were easily fixed. Others have noticed that water can come up through the attachment of the swing keel. Take a flashlight & make sure that it is completely sealed around the base of the compression post, underneath the table. Otherwise, it has to be recaulked with a first rate marine product. Check to make sure the swing keel works properly, & that the line is in good shape. It is a big job to replace this line. As well, make sure the block or pulley is in place at the base of the mast for the line, otherwise it will chafe on the pipe. The survey is crucial, but these are little things peculiar to the water ballast models that should also be checked out. I am not trying to discourage you - every boat requires ongoing maintenance. It's just that with this model, repairs to the ballast tank are a major expenditure. Everything else, I find, is quite manageable. Good luck, Rick
Tim: I have not had any problems with leaks in the tank, but from my experience with this forum, there are others who have noticed small leaks from misplaced screws, hair-line cracks, freezing, etc. We had a problem with water in the bilge, but it came from other sources - leaking companionway, & through the hole in the transom for the battery wires to the engine. As mentioned in my first message, these were easily fixed. Others have noticed that water can come up through the attachment of the swing keel. Take a flashlight & make sure that it is completely sealed around the base of the compression post, underneath the table. Otherwise, it has to be recaulked with a first rate marine product. Check to make sure the swing keel works properly, & that the line is in good shape. It is a big job to replace this line. As well, make sure the block or pulley is in place at the base of the mast for the line, otherwise it will chafe on the pipe. The survey is crucial, but these are little things peculiar to the water ballast models that should also be checked out. I am not trying to discourage you - every boat requires ongoing maintenance. It's just that with this model, repairs to the ballast tank are a major expenditure. Everything else, I find, is quite manageable. Good luck, Rick
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Tim Daley
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