I recently became the proud owner of a 1986 Hunter 25.5..... I can't say enough great things about the boat. My wife and I love it. Our previous boat was a Hunter 18.5.....Needless to say....What a difference! Like all "new" boat owners I'm setting about repairing, upgrading, etc. on her. In doing so a number of questions have come up. 1) What resonably priced brand or specific type of roller furling system would another Hunter owner recommend? 2) Does anyone know the overall weight of a fixed keel Hunter 25.5? 3) What would be the Max. HP anyone would recommend for a replacement outboard. I currently have a Johnson 8 HP 2 stroke. With the EPA chnages due in 2006 I'm looking at 4 strokes, aprox. 9.9 HP. A local dealer talked very highly of Yamaha. Any thoughts? 4) Any other upgrades anyone would recommend to improve creature comforts or handling? Any imput is greatly appreciated. We plan to enjoy this boat for years to come.
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Why get a new engine.
Woody: Why are you looking at getting a new engine? Very few places are going to outlaw the older engines any time soon. Lake Tahoe was one of the exceptions. I think most of the new 4 stroke engines are good. We had a 9.9 Honda on our H'25 (Cherubini) and it moved the boat very well. The problem with 4 stroke engines are associated with the weight of the engine. Shop around for prices. I think that the Yamaha engine is at the top end of the price scale. For a jib furler system on your size of a boat would be a CDI unit. They are good units for small boats.
Woody: Why are you looking at getting a new engine? Very few places are going to outlaw the older engines any time soon. Lake Tahoe was one of the exceptions. I think most of the new 4 stroke engines are good. We had a 9.9 Honda on our H'25 (Cherubini) and it moved the boat very well. The problem with 4 stroke engines are associated with the weight of the engine. Shop around for prices. I think that the Yamaha engine is at the top end of the price scale. For a jib furler system on your size of a boat would be a CDI unit. They are good units for small boats.
Roller Fuller
Practical Sailor had a recent article on popular RF units. As you would expect, the high end, blue water units got high marks across the board. CDI is mentioned as a reliable low cost unit suitable for smaller boats. You'll see the CDI on many Hunter trailerables. Re the outboard. Despite the obvious disadvantages of a 2 cycle, the cost of a new engine makes it hard to imagine swapping a lighter, reliable, legal, 2 cycle engine for a 4 cycle until it's really necessary. Picking a outboard mfg is more like choosing between chevy and ford - you'll get lots of opinions there. I think it's more important to focus on price and compare features, warranty, service and general reputation in your area. Get the longest shaft you can find; consider options like elect start, alternator
Practical Sailor had a recent article on popular RF units. As you would expect, the high end, blue water units got high marks across the board. CDI is mentioned as a reliable low cost unit suitable for smaller boats. You'll see the CDI on many Hunter trailerables. Re the outboard. Despite the obvious disadvantages of a 2 cycle, the cost of a new engine makes it hard to imagine swapping a lighter, reliable, legal, 2 cycle engine for a 4 cycle until it's really necessary. Picking a outboard mfg is more like choosing between chevy and ford - you'll get lots of opinions there. I think it's more important to focus on price and compare features, warranty, service and general reputation in your area. Get the longest shaft you can find; consider options like elect start, alternator
Maybe some answers...
Hi Woody. 1. I think the concensus for for roller furling on Carlyle would be a CDI FF4 w/ ball bearings. CDI sells them for about $500 including shipping. 2. Overall weight for a 25.5 is 4500 pounds 3. We have a Merc 7.5 on our 25.5 (in Boulder) and haven't had any issues with being underpowered. If your 8hp is giving you trouble, it might just be better to get it repaired rather than invest in another. There is a good outboard repair service in Keysport that will fix your motor while its on the boat. In looking at our motor mount, I might be concerned about dropping the weight of a 4-stroke on it. The mount, as it is, makes raising and lowering our 7.5 a one-handed chore. I also notice a little flex in the transom with our motor. A heavier motor might cause enough flex to become an issue. The more important point might be that if you decide to get a new motor, make sure you get the longest shaft you can. In rough conditions, we can pull the motor out of the water. 4. We've had our 25.5 for about a year and really haven't done much except in restoring the boat. Lots of oxidation to clean and restore, painted the bottom, sailcare on the main, refinish the exterior teak, outboard carb rebuild. We found the jib didn't want to drop without assistance, so we added a downhaul (as recommended by the previous owner of YOUR boat). Not necessary if you get roller furling, but until you do, its more than a nice-to-have. The admiral went over the interior completely. Looks pretty good. You've already got a bimini. That's important on Carlyle (we don't have one). One thing you might consider is to put your new baby in a slip (rather than keeping her on the trailer). We can be out sailing pretty quickly without having to launch and retrieve.
Hi Woody. 1. I think the concensus for for roller furling on Carlyle would be a CDI FF4 w/ ball bearings. CDI sells them for about $500 including shipping. 2. Overall weight for a 25.5 is 4500 pounds 3. We have a Merc 7.5 on our 25.5 (in Boulder) and haven't had any issues with being underpowered. If your 8hp is giving you trouble, it might just be better to get it repaired rather than invest in another. There is a good outboard repair service in Keysport that will fix your motor while its on the boat. In looking at our motor mount, I might be concerned about dropping the weight of a 4-stroke on it. The mount, as it is, makes raising and lowering our 7.5 a one-handed chore. I also notice a little flex in the transom with our motor. A heavier motor might cause enough flex to become an issue. The more important point might be that if you decide to get a new motor, make sure you get the longest shaft you can. In rough conditions, we can pull the motor out of the water. 4. We've had our 25.5 for about a year and really haven't done much except in restoring the boat. Lots of oxidation to clean and restore, painted the bottom, sailcare on the main, refinish the exterior teak, outboard carb rebuild. We found the jib didn't want to drop without assistance, so we added a downhaul (as recommended by the previous owner of YOUR boat). Not necessary if you get roller furling, but until you do, its more than a nice-to-have. The admiral went over the interior completely. Looks pretty good. You've already got a bimini. That's important on Carlyle (we don't have one). One thing you might consider is to put your new baby in a slip (rather than keeping her on the trailer). We can be out sailing pretty quickly without having to launch and retrieve.
sweet looking ride
Woody sweet looking ride- enjoy! ps-did it come with a crew member as seen in the photo? chris
Woody sweet looking ride- enjoy! ps-did it come with a crew member as seen in the photo? chris
Thanks for the info
Steve....Thanks so much for your valuable info & advice. I'm going to check into the furler you recommended. Good food for thought on the weight of a 4 stroke possibly being an issue. I'm not ready to buy a 4 stroke. Shopping at this point. The dealer I spoke to in St. Louis said that some they won't even carry any line of 2 stroke. A Yamaha 9.9 is going for roughly $1,900.
Steve....Thanks so much for your valuable info & advice. I'm going to check into the furler you recommended. Good food for thought on the weight of a 4 stroke possibly being an issue. I'm not ready to buy a 4 stroke. Shopping at this point. The dealer I spoke to in St. Louis said that some they won't even carry any line of 2 stroke. A Yamaha 9.9 is going for roughly $1,900.
Fellow Carlyle sailer
Bill.....Thanks for the great info. It seems that all agree on CDI as the place to look for a furler. Don't have a downhaul on the jib currently. Sounds like we have a mutual friend in Jim A. My 2 stroke was in the shop for a choke problem that fowl the plugs & a gave RPMs bearly over idile. A St. Louis shop fixed it, but were real strong on a 4 stroke recommendation. You know how it is when you look at shiny new things for your boat. A slip may be in my future, but not just yet. PS...Your right..The Hunter 25.5 is one of the best boats on the Lake. I get lots of compliments, Thanks again.
Bill.....Thanks for the great info. It seems that all agree on CDI as the place to look for a furler. Don't have a downhaul on the jib currently. Sounds like we have a mutual friend in Jim A. My 2 stroke was in the shop for a choke problem that fowl the plugs & a gave RPMs bearly over idile. A St. Louis shop fixed it, but were real strong on a 4 stroke recommendation. You know how it is when you look at shiny new things for your boat. A slip may be in my future, but not just yet. PS...Your right..The Hunter 25.5 is one of the best boats on the Lake. I get lots of compliments, Thanks again.
Great Advice
George......Good insight re: the 4 stroke motor. Local dealers are in a real push; they say due to near future EPA standards. I will shop around and will most likely wait to next season or later before making any changes. The CDI furler will get my immediate attention. The E-Z steer is new to me. will most definitely look into that also. Your town of Traverse City, MI. is much to blame for my being into sailboats...smiling. Sailboats had always been in the back of my mind....until my employer sent me to MI. for 6 months of work. I feel in love with the Lake, your town, and the wonderful boats...When I returned home I purchased my first boat of any kind... A Hunter 18.5...4 years later and with my wifes blessing we steped up to the Hunter 25.5 She is without a doubt..my Mistress.
George......Good insight re: the 4 stroke motor. Local dealers are in a real push; they say due to near future EPA standards. I will shop around and will most likely wait to next season or later before making any changes. The CDI furler will get my immediate attention. The E-Z steer is new to me. will most definitely look into that also. Your town of Traverse City, MI. is much to blame for my being into sailboats...smiling. Sailboats had always been in the back of my mind....until my employer sent me to MI. for 6 months of work. I feel in love with the Lake, your town, and the wonderful boats...When I returned home I purchased my first boat of any kind... A Hunter 18.5...4 years later and with my wifes blessing we steped up to the Hunter 25.5 She is without a doubt..my Mistress.
Sweet Ride
Thanks Chris.....She is a "sweet ride". I enjoy every minute. The little sailor didn't come with the boat, but did come with my Daughter.
Thanks Chris.....She is a "sweet ride". I enjoy every minute. The little sailor didn't come with the boat, but did come with my Daughter.
new to the web
hey guya i just got a 25.5 year 84, fixed keel. i needing all the info i can get,ie weight mast heitht and such. new in sailing only 5 or 6 years around oakland with catalina 22's (fun boat) can yall help this Army Retired redneck? Thanks all!!!!! Johnny
hey guya i just got a 25.5 year 84, fixed keel. i needing all the info i can get,ie weight mast heitht and such. new in sailing only 5 or 6 years around oakland with catalina 22's (fun boat) can yall help this Army Retired redneck? Thanks all!!!!! Johnny
whats the best roller furler for the buck?
yo would yall give me some idea's on a roller furling for my 25.5 year 84. fixed dagger keel. thanks------------johnny
yo would yall give me some idea's on a roller furling for my 25.5 year 84. fixed dagger keel. thanks------------johnny
Johnny,
Lots of 25.5 info here: http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/model.tpl?sku=30179116948414&fno=0&bts=T Just dig around until you find what you need. A lot of people think the best roller furler bang for the buck (for 25.5) is the CDI FF4 with ball bearings. Gotta look at the specific conditions where you are and what you want the furler to do.
Lots of 25.5 info here: http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/model.tpl?sku=30179116948414&fno=0&bts=T Just dig around until you find what you need. A lot of people think the best roller furler bang for the buck (for 25.5) is the CDI FF4 with ball bearings. Gotta look at the specific conditions where you are and what you want the furler to do.
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