Rigging,launching, retrieving the 260WB

[Jim Seamans]

Rigging and trailering the H260

My Wife and I gained considerable experience rigging the H19(5 yrs) and the H260 (3 yrs). We practiced several times in the yard figuring out what had to be done and in what sequence. Then jobs got assigned, heavy stuff to me and the lighter duties to my wife. No sexist stuff here, she has a tender back. Applies to both boats, we would day sail and go for longer three days in the H260. Rigging and de-rigging the H19 could be done in about 30-45 mins, the H260 because of more stuff could be done in not less than 60mins. You cannot rush things or you will forget something. H260 had self-tailing winches which really helped raising the mast. I could do everything myself if I needed to, just took a little longer. See this link for pictures of how I rigged the boat. http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/SailboatMods/BoatSetup/index.htmOne very important thing is to tie up the rudder while trailering down the road, see picture. I placed a strap around the rudder to stern rails to make sure it didn't drop.Buck sliders are a great help for getting the boat on and off the trailer. Very slick and must use a strap to hold boat on trailer while on the road.Have Fun the H260 is a great boat.JimS/V Java

 

[Tom]

Under an hour...

Ashley,With experience and developing some simple procedures, you can get the rig and launch time to under an hour single handedly and do even better with a partner familiar with your procedures.I won't repeat the comments that others have posted, but will share my experience. Before getting my H260 (1999 model year), for 8 years I sailed a Mac 26, 1990 model, sailboat. The MAC26 is about 3000 lbs on the trailer vs 5000 for H260 and the MAC26 sits at least a foot closer to the water on the trailer. You can launch them in a puddle.I used to trailer/sail the Mac26 all over New England and dry sailed it from a boat yard that provided mast up storage on a trailer near the ramp. It is still work and time to hitch up the boat, launch, park the trailer/car and then reverse the process before going home. I got the the point that it wasn't worth all the effort unless I was going out for a couple of days.I also rented a slip for the boat for many years, and let me tell you having the boat in the water, ready to sail makes for a much more enjoyable time. I now keep the Hunter 260 on a mooring all year and launch in the spring haul in the fall. Now on to H260 specifics:The H260 needs a long, fairly steep ramp to lauch and haul compared to other trailerable boats. The ramp I use is long, but not very steep, and I carry a 20 foot chain to get the trailer in and out without dunking my tow vehicle. A roller furling makes sailing more convenient but trailering more of a hassle. Because the H260 has such a small, easy managable jib, I don't have furling. I did add a simple down haul to allow the jib to be pulled down from the cockpit. I have a jib bag that can be used with the jib hanked on the forestay, but it is just a minute or two to hank/unhank the jib so I usually store it below.I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have. At first, the launch and haul process can be quite intimidating. But if you take your time and think it through as you go and make mental (or ever written) notes for improvements, you will get more comfortable and efficient with each launch. When you raise the sails, turn off the engine and glide along with sounds of rushing water at your stern, it all becomes worth the effort.Fair winds...Tom

 

[Frank Ladd]

Wow Jim

Great Website! Did you install the autopilot and the GPS and the Ram Mike on your new 356. The installation looks great.

 

[Ron Mehringer]

Thanks Jim & a question

Jim - Your photo site is a godsend. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then you've "written" tens of thousands.I noticed that your flexible furler luff is flush to the mast all the way up to the t-bolt. How do you do that? Mine binds at the t-bolt long before the luff is flush, creating a hard to deal with curve, or bulge, in the luff that's hard to secure.Also noticed that your spreaders are well inboard of the lifelines and well above the deck. Mine go all the way out to under the life lines and one is always rubbing the deck, requiring me to pad it. Are the spreaders on the 260 shorter than the 26?Look forward to your response, and thanks again.Ron MehringerH26 Hydro-Therapy

 

[Mark]

Nice pictures Jim

But Jim can you explain the shrouds and the reasons behind the white tubing on them.Also I noticed you have changed the way the shrouds connect to the mast.By the way Jim you sure have a nice backyard!Still winter down here. we have had just over 50mm rain over past 24 hours (2 inches) wind blowing at about 40-60 knots with squalls to 70-80 tonight. Still not long till summer!!

 

[Jim Seamans]

Answers for Frank, Ron and Mark

Thanks All. Web site has been neglected and needs to be updated. Nothing like everything else getting in the way.Frank,Crazy Dave installed the autopilot the day of delivery and I helped. I installed the one on the H260, wasn't difficult – just be careful. I moved the location of the RamMic, didn't like the location of original. Where it is now is more protected from hips ;D.I purchased the GPS arm and installed the GPS in current location. Don't care for the cables hanging out but not a problem. Ron,Roller furler, You will love this. After detaching from the bow (with the mast still up) I bring the furler back to the mast and bungee it to the mast, reaching up as high as I can go. I also place one down near the gin pole. Let the furler weight work for me. This helps keep it in place as I lower the mast. Once the mast is lowered into the crutch, place another bungee around furler and mast just before crutch. I usually place several bungees around it to stop any sagging when rocking the mast forward for storage. THEN MORE BUNGEES *pop. I have stock in the local shock cord supplier!I don't now about the length of the spreaders, thats news to me. I did a quick check of the H260 manual I didn't find the length of the spreaders. Anyone out there want to measure this? If I don't bungee the spreaders to the lifelines they will hit also. A thought, could be your crutch is shorter than the H260 which would allow the spreaders to be closer to the deck? Wouldn't take much.Mark,Only 50mm of rain? Last week after the Hurricane we had 150mm in about 4hrs. Can you say flood. *popThe shroud covers are standard fare from a marine store to fit the wire. Used it to protect the deck and sails from rubbing. Part of winter setup, is to remove and wash wires and cover from any dirt accumulating. Mark, not sure what you mean about the shrouds connecting to the mast, I changed nothing from the factory.Thanks Again for the comments. Miss the H260 now but stuck in the slip with a H356 *5Jim S/V Java

 

[Mark]

Sorry Jim

I was looking at the reverse diagonals.

 

[Ashley]

Encouraging

Thanks again for the responses. Some good info here. It sounds pretty encouraging, I think we will be able to handle the boat ok and I will be able to singlehand it on occasion once it is setup for that. I still want to go through the process of setting one up. Looking forward to the boat show next week to crawl around on some boats and then meeting with the local dealer to take a test sail etc.

 

[Brian]

Mast raising

A lot has been said but I thought I would add my 2 cents and a couple of things that didn't get mentioned. 1) It takes my wife and I about an hour to rig and launch the boat at a relaxed pace. She is quite a help. We can do it in 45 mins if we hurry. We only loosen and remove the forestay. I use cotter rings to secure it so they are easy to remove. The boat stays in the water most of the time except when we pull it to take trips.2) To make the intial part of mast raising easier, I stand in the cockpit with the mainsheet in my hand. I put my shoulder under the mast and lift while I pull the mainsheet in with one hand. Then I relax, grab the mainsheet again and repeat. The first time I push up the stretch in the ropes allows the mast to settle back down to the mast crutch when I relax. The second time it stays up higher. The first 5 or so pulls, I push up on the mast at the same time I pull the main sheet. The extra direct leverage really helps lift it easier.3) I frequently sail single handed. If the wind is stronger I use the tiller autopilot to help me get off the dock and to manage steering if I need to do anyghing. If the wind is lighter I often don't bother.4) I haven't trailered the boat anywhere for less than a few days but that may be because I am spoiled from living on the lake and having the boat docked 100 feet from my bedroom window.5) We've sailed the boat to Mackinac Island and assorted Great Lakes ports. It is a great advantage being able to put the boat on the trailer and tow it a couple of hundred miles up the lake for a long weekend. If I we were to sail that distance our cruising range for short trips would be much more limited