Purchase of Hunter 26

[Cincy020]

I will be looking at a 1994 Hunter 26 as a potential purchase for use on inland lakes. The boat will be moored at a slip from April to November. Not my ideal boat, but features amenities that are hard to find in other boats in this size range, including a full aft berth, stern rail sets, and a head that you could actually stand up in (mostly preferences that appeal to my other half).

Any tips/recommendations for items I should be looking at? The buyer said he used the boat for four years on a fresh water lake after purchasing from a gentleman in North Carolina, where the boat was used in salt water. I am not very knowledgeable on water ballast boats, and have read that salt water in particular can have significant amounts of marine growth in the tanks. A concern of mine is the salt water use in the balast tanks. Is there any input in this regard?

How well does this boat sail in light wind? I am familiar with the higher wind characteristics (rounding up in a breeze, reef early, tender, etc.).

Thanks

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

There has been much said on this which is in the archives. Having been involved with the design, sales and/or service of all lines of water ballast boats, I never saw barnacles due to the abscense of sunlight and oxygen. This was confirmed when a section of of a Mac 26 hull was removed by me at the Hunter plant after that boat had been in salt water for years. In addition we did not see any delamination. However, the case for microorganisms is different. Basically when they die in the ballast tank, open up the air vent you will smell the decay. Chlorox added to the ballast tank does remedy that situation but not much is needed. Nor will it hurt the tank.

I have always recommended a heel of no more than 12-14 degrees max using the sails to accomplish that. Again, I will let those with either the 26 or 260 chime in. For light airs, the use of a spinnaker might be suggested. There is much in the archives as well. The hull of the 26 and 260 are the same but changes in the deck were made to the 260.

Dave Condon alias crazy dave

 

[Fred]

My H26 sails nicely in light winds. The fully battened main easily stays full. The jib seems to be made of quite heavy dacron and with the sunbrella UV protector strip (heavy) so tends to collapse in very light winds. I have an asymmetrical spinnaker and a spinnaker sock which I use in very light winds.