Hi all,
I've been searching for a larger sailboat for a couple months now. I currently have a San Juan 21, and while it sails beautifully it's getting awfully cramped with my 3 teens, especially if they add a friend or two. We've looked at several different boats, including a couple MacGregors, a couple Lancers, a Neptune, a South Coast...basically anything that looks decent and in the 25'-ish range. So far, everything we've seen is either way more of a project than advertised (that South Coast was a lawn ornament that he's gonna have to pay to have removed, but is asking $7K!!) or just doesn't quite sing our song enough to warrant parting with a wad of cash.
I found a Hunter 26.5 reasonably close-by, and in our price range. While I would prefer to have a swing keel for trailerability, I'm reconsidering that as a hard rule for us. I do like the thought of not needing to worry about raising/lower the keel, and since we found out that I can get a slip I don't really need to be able to trailer each time we want to go sailing. Having the ability to trailer is still important, but actual launch/retrieval may be less often than originally thought since we plan to get the slip.
So, the 26.5 seems to be in good shape. We sail mostly up at Flathead Lake, and might like to take it to other lakes for a longer sail. Family of 5 with 3 teens, and we want to be able to overnight/weekend on the boat. So, for those who own or have been aboard a 26.5, what are your thoughts? I'm not looking for a blue water boat, I don't have any desire to race. Thanks in advance!
Greg
I've been searching for a larger sailboat for a couple months now. I currently have a San Juan 21, and while it sails beautifully it's getting awfully cramped with my 3 teens, especially if they add a friend or two. We've looked at several different boats, including a couple MacGregors, a couple Lancers, a Neptune, a South Coast...basically anything that looks decent and in the 25'-ish range. So far, everything we've seen is either way more of a project than advertised (that South Coast was a lawn ornament that he's gonna have to pay to have removed, but is asking $7K!!) or just doesn't quite sing our song enough to warrant parting with a wad of cash.
I found a Hunter 26.5 reasonably close-by, and in our price range. While I would prefer to have a swing keel for trailerability, I'm reconsidering that as a hard rule for us. I do like the thought of not needing to worry about raising/lower the keel, and since we found out that I can get a slip I don't really need to be able to trailer each time we want to go sailing. Having the ability to trailer is still important, but actual launch/retrieval may be less often than originally thought since we plan to get the slip.
So, the 26.5 seems to be in good shape. We sail mostly up at Flathead Lake, and might like to take it to other lakes for a longer sail. Family of 5 with 3 teens, and we want to be able to overnight/weekend on the boat. So, for those who own or have been aboard a 26.5, what are your thoughts? I'm not looking for a blue water boat, I don't have any desire to race. Thanks in advance!
Greg