Thanks for the replies on the pricing of the 260. I am about to go to Strictly Sail in Chicago and some money is burning a hole in my pocket so... Can you compare the sailing ability and feel of the 260 and 240? I understand the rather dramatic differences in the cabin but how about the sailing? Also, is the 240 considerably easier to tow? I've got an Explorer with 4wd and towing package so I can tow either one but I wondered if there is much of a difference. Thanks a lot.
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My personal opinion
The 240 is easier to trailer, you might need a bigger vehicle with the 260 and the beam is naturally wider requiring permits in some states, although I read a lot of info on this site that they (260) owners never had any problems with the law. I would like, and the first mate especially , the enclosed head. As far as sailing I have never been on the 260 but would assume the 260 water ballast compared to the 240 might be more stable. If I had to do over again I still would choose the 240 cause most of all the size for trailering reason. I tow the 240 with a Chev Blazer which has enough power but does porpoise when you hit large bumps and heaves in the highways we have around here. Our plan is to visit different places for the next 2-4 years and then settle down in one location with a bigger (32-38 foot) boat. Good luck and get rid of all that burning sensation in your pocket.
The 240 is easier to trailer, you might need a bigger vehicle with the 260 and the beam is naturally wider requiring permits in some states, although I read a lot of info on this site that they (260) owners never had any problems with the law. I would like, and the first mate especially , the enclosed head. As far as sailing I have never been on the 260 but would assume the 260 water ballast compared to the 240 might be more stable. If I had to do over again I still would choose the 240 cause most of all the size for trailering reason. I tow the 240 with a Chev Blazer which has enough power but does porpoise when you hit large bumps and heaves in the highways we have around here. Our plan is to visit different places for the next 2-4 years and then settle down in one location with a bigger (32-38 foot) boat. Good luck and get rid of all that burning sensation in your pocket.
Buy Used 26
I have heard of several instances where purchasers of the H24 traded up to the H26 to gain more space. Sounds like one of the responses you got did this. I pull a H26 with a Chev Blazer, but I don't know how the Exploror would do. Need a rig that pulls 5000 Lbs. Also, a tranmission cooler is a must as insurance. Unless you have money to burn, I suggest you consider a used H24 or H26 and save vs new. Even buying last year's model that has never been sold is better than buying a 2000 model. Dealers are willing to break the price if they still have one in stock. That's what I did and got a good deal in 1995. Since the 26 is still towable, I think you will find the 26 preferable for stability and much better for creature comforts and space inside. Good luck and hope the new boat bug won't bite you too badly. CHeck the dealer in Madison , WI if you are looking. He's a good guy.
I have heard of several instances where purchasers of the H24 traded up to the H26 to gain more space. Sounds like one of the responses you got did this. I pull a H26 with a Chev Blazer, but I don't know how the Exploror would do. Need a rig that pulls 5000 Lbs. Also, a tranmission cooler is a must as insurance. Unless you have money to burn, I suggest you consider a used H24 or H26 and save vs new. Even buying last year's model that has never been sold is better than buying a 2000 model. Dealers are willing to break the price if they still have one in stock. That's what I did and got a good deal in 1995. Since the 26 is still towable, I think you will find the 26 preferable for stability and much better for creature comforts and space inside. Good luck and hope the new boat bug won't bite you too badly. CHeck the dealer in Madison , WI if you are looking. He's a good guy.
A tippy canoe!
Hi Tom, The 240 looks like a darn good boat! For all that it's worth I'm sure that you would enjoy sailing either one of these boats. One of the first things that I notice about the H26 was the stability of the boat when at anchor. You can walk all over the deck without the rolling effect that you get on the smaller version. The larger size gives you a very comfortable environment if you plan to stay aboard for any length of time, The height down below is good for my family (I'm 5'8'') and the head is a real comfort for anybodies daily routine. The cockpit provides a lot of room and with the addition of a barbeque it becomes a real party platform. Underway, it has a tremendous potential for speed because the rig is very efficient and the hull doesn't have to push a lot of water out of the way. The wake is small and when the boat's trimed and ballasted properly there's hardly a bubble left behind. Other discussions in the archives address the tenderness of the rig but I think that Dave Condon says it best, "H26 sails flatter, faster than any other boat!". I've seen it do it! Towing is an easy chore. The 240 has one axel because that's all it needs. The 260 or 26 has two axels (it considerably larger) which makes it track nicely behind the tow vehicle. Power isn't really the issue in pulling the 260 (it's not that heavy) but stability of the vehicle when stopping or turning certainly is. A long wheelbase is essential and the weight should be at least the same as the boat and trailer (ie: 5000 lbs.). The feeling I got when using a Chev. Tahoe was that it was a bit weak kneed when not going in a straight line. That's not something that you want to feel when things aren't going just right. Just like sailing, you want to engineer things to be more than adequate for the job at hand. You and everybody else around you will stay alive a lot longer if you employe that strategy. This may very well be your pivoting issue. Have fun on the H2O, Larry Barnes "CNTRL SEA"
Hi Tom, The 240 looks like a darn good boat! For all that it's worth I'm sure that you would enjoy sailing either one of these boats. One of the first things that I notice about the H26 was the stability of the boat when at anchor. You can walk all over the deck without the rolling effect that you get on the smaller version. The larger size gives you a very comfortable environment if you plan to stay aboard for any length of time, The height down below is good for my family (I'm 5'8'') and the head is a real comfort for anybodies daily routine. The cockpit provides a lot of room and with the addition of a barbeque it becomes a real party platform. Underway, it has a tremendous potential for speed because the rig is very efficient and the hull doesn't have to push a lot of water out of the way. The wake is small and when the boat's trimed and ballasted properly there's hardly a bubble left behind. Other discussions in the archives address the tenderness of the rig but I think that Dave Condon says it best, "H26 sails flatter, faster than any other boat!". I've seen it do it! Towing is an easy chore. The 240 has one axel because that's all it needs. The 260 or 26 has two axels (it considerably larger) which makes it track nicely behind the tow vehicle. Power isn't really the issue in pulling the 260 (it's not that heavy) but stability of the vehicle when stopping or turning certainly is. A long wheelbase is essential and the weight should be at least the same as the boat and trailer (ie: 5000 lbs.). The feeling I got when using a Chev. Tahoe was that it was a bit weak kneed when not going in a straight line. That's not something that you want to feel when things aren't going just right. Just like sailing, you want to engineer things to be more than adequate for the job at hand. You and everybody else around you will stay alive a lot longer if you employe that strategy. This may very well be your pivoting issue. Have fun on the H2O, Larry Barnes "CNTRL SEA"
My two cents.....
Tom, I have owned both. We traded up from a '98 240 to a '00 260 mainly for comfort (Galley, head, Saloon, wheel steering
). Both boats sail well. The 260 is a little less tender. In my opinion stability comes from two sources, beam and ballast, not necessarilly in that order. The 260 has both more beam AND more ballast than the 240, hence more stability and more of a "big boat feel". As far as towing goes, I was concerned about that as well. As it turns out, I think it is just as easy if not easier, to tow the 260 than the 240. Why? I think the main reason is the trailer. The 240 trailer is a single axle. It has a feature that, when unhitched from the tow vehicle and a certain amout of weight is placed on the stern of the boat (ladder, wherever) and you're not careful, BAM! some portion of the stern of the boat (ladder, rudder, OB,...) hits the pavement. Then, of course, your (whoevers) natural reaction is to jump off or move forward and BAM! the tongue jack has its turn. Once you do this, you learn the lesson BTW. Whereas a tanden trailer doesn't have this feature. You can climb all over the stern while it is unhitched with no problems. My point is that when towing the 240, we were getting yanked/bounced around in the truck (Ford F250 extended cab, long bed, 351 EFI, 4X4, 5sp manual) because of the 240 trailer feature. When we towed the 260, it was comparatively smooth as glass! Granted the 260 weighs more and may slow us down a bit, but for all the comforts mentioned, boat AND towing ride, I vote for the 260. Good luck and good sailing! Tom s/v TBD (not named yet)
Tom, I have owned both. We traded up from a '98 240 to a '00 260 mainly for comfort (Galley, head, Saloon, wheel steering
). Both boats sail well. The 260 is a little less tender. In my opinion stability comes from two sources, beam and ballast, not necessarilly in that order. The 260 has both more beam AND more ballast than the 240, hence more stability and more of a "big boat feel". As far as towing goes, I was concerned about that as well. As it turns out, I think it is just as easy if not easier, to tow the 260 than the 240. Why? I think the main reason is the trailer. The 240 trailer is a single axle. It has a feature that, when unhitched from the tow vehicle and a certain amout of weight is placed on the stern of the boat (ladder, wherever) and you're not careful, BAM! some portion of the stern of the boat (ladder, rudder, OB,...) hits the pavement. Then, of course, your (whoevers) natural reaction is to jump off or move forward and BAM! the tongue jack has its turn. Once you do this, you learn the lesson BTW. Whereas a tanden trailer doesn't have this feature. You can climb all over the stern while it is unhitched with no problems. My point is that when towing the 240, we were getting yanked/bounced around in the truck (Ford F250 extended cab, long bed, 351 EFI, 4X4, 5sp manual) because of the 240 trailer feature. When we towed the 260, it was comparatively smooth as glass! Granted the 260 weighs more and may slow us down a bit, but for all the comforts mentioned, boat AND towing ride, I vote for the 260. Good luck and good sailing! Tom s/v TBD (not named yet)240 vs 260
Unless you enjoy the buying experience, purchase the largest boat that you can comfortably afford and feel comfortable sailing.
Unless you enjoy the buying experience, purchase the largest boat that you can comfortably afford and feel comfortable sailing.
Same as Tom
I move up from a 98 H240 to 99 H260. The 240 is great for day sailing, but for my wife and I want some more room, marine head and still trailer. Go for the bigger.
I move up from a 98 H240 to 99 H260. The 240 is great for day sailing, but for my wife and I want some more room, marine head and still trailer. Go for the bigger.
price
I'm not sure the extra 2 ft is worth the rather big jump up in price. We sail in the Chicago area (going to Strictly Sail tomorrow) and I enjoy the sensation of action on the 240 (everyone else calls this "tippy") I spend most of my time in the cockpit rather than the cabin (I prefer to cruise rather than snooze) and the 240's cockpit may even be a little bigger than the 260.
I'm not sure the extra 2 ft is worth the rather big jump up in price. We sail in the Chicago area (going to Strictly Sail tomorrow) and I enjoy the sensation of action on the 240 (everyone else calls this "tippy") I spend most of my time in the cockpit rather than the cabin (I prefer to cruise rather than snooze) and the 240's cockpit may even be a little bigger than the 260.
2'-itis
I went for the H26 because I feared that if i got the 24 I'd catch a case of 2'-itis. You know, that nagging in the back of the brain saying "I should have gotten the bigger boat. I want a bigger boat." More seriously, if the private head is important, if overnighting is important, if sailing with lots of friends is important, get the 26. But keep in mind that this big boy may force you to buy a bigger vehicle to tow it with as well. Talk about an expensive add-on! If the above items are not that critical, the lower cost and easier towing of the 24 may be the answer. Let us know what you decide! Ron Mehringer Hydro-Therapy
I went for the H26 because I feared that if i got the 24 I'd catch a case of 2'-itis. You know, that nagging in the back of the brain saying "I should have gotten the bigger boat. I want a bigger boat." More seriously, if the private head is important, if overnighting is important, if sailing with lots of friends is important, get the 26. But keep in mind that this big boy may force you to buy a bigger vehicle to tow it with as well. Talk about an expensive add-on! If the above items are not that critical, the lower cost and easier towing of the 24 may be the answer. Let us know what you decide! Ron Mehringer Hydro-Therapy
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