Was the 260 ever nominated in Sail's Top Ten? The 260 seems to be a logical evolution to a point of being almost the perfect trailerable sailboat. I noticed that Hunter didn't make it with any of their smaller boats this year. I'm not a H260 owner... yet.
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You'll learn!
You'll learn fast the mags tend to favor the one-designs over the production boats. I quess in thier own narrow minded way they are trying to keep the industry pure. However, the the regular guy production boat buyer is the one keeping every one in business, not the do-it-your selfer who makes or restores old boats and parts or the guys who pay an exceptionally high price for a "special" boat that meets the blue blazer litmus test!
You'll learn fast the mags tend to favor the one-designs over the production boats. I quess in thier own narrow minded way they are trying to keep the industry pure. However, the the regular guy production boat buyer is the one keeping every one in business, not the do-it-your selfer who makes or restores old boats and parts or the guys who pay an exceptionally high price for a "special" boat that meets the blue blazer litmus test!
I'm not sure
I don't recall seeing the 260 in any of the mags, really. It ma be that the 260 is too close to the 26 to count as a "new" model in the mag contests. Not that they really have any rules... but CW and Sail always seem to give at least a mention to the boats of their big advertisers.
I don't recall seeing the 260 in any of the mags, really. It ma be that the 260 is too close to the 26 to count as a "new" model in the mag contests. Not that they really have any rules... but CW and Sail always seem to give at least a mention to the boats of their big advertisers.
Fit & Finish, Performance factors
Don't expect to see a water ballast boat in the top 10. At least not a bottom-flooding water ballast boat like the Hunter 240/260. The general comments that Cruising World/Sailing World have made in the past are: 1. Water ballast boats are generally inferior to their fixed-keel counterparts (in sailing performance). 2. Quality of workmanship (fit and finish) are poorer than the larger boats. 3. A used fixed-keel sailboat is recommended over a new water ballast boat. These comments apply to all water ballast boats: Hunter, Catalina, W D Schock, MacGregor. Making a sailboat trailerable means making compromises. Folding catamarans and trimarans make the least compromises in terms of sailing performance, but you must make sacrifices in other areas (your wallet suffers most). If you want a reasonably light, trailerable sailboat with overnight accomodations and you don't want to pay up to $50,000 for a Corsair F24 or $100,000 for an F28, then you must accept compromises in sailing performance and in overall quality. As Heinlein once wrote: TANSTAAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).
Don't expect to see a water ballast boat in the top 10. At least not a bottom-flooding water ballast boat like the Hunter 240/260. The general comments that Cruising World/Sailing World have made in the past are: 1. Water ballast boats are generally inferior to their fixed-keel counterparts (in sailing performance). 2. Quality of workmanship (fit and finish) are poorer than the larger boats. 3. A used fixed-keel sailboat is recommended over a new water ballast boat. These comments apply to all water ballast boats: Hunter, Catalina, W D Schock, MacGregor. Making a sailboat trailerable means making compromises. Folding catamarans and trimarans make the least compromises in terms of sailing performance, but you must make sacrifices in other areas (your wallet suffers most). If you want a reasonably light, trailerable sailboat with overnight accomodations and you don't want to pay up to $50,000 for a Corsair F24 or $100,000 for an F28, then you must accept compromises in sailing performance and in overall quality. As Heinlein once wrote: TANSTAAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).
Water Ballast HC50 is there!
The HC50 w/water ballast made the list. Several higher end boats and racing boats use water ballast in addition to a stand keel.
The HC50 w/water ballast made the list. Several higher end boats and racing boats use water ballast in addition to a stand keel.
H50 a little different
I don't think the H50 (which is a cool boat IMHO) uses water as ballast but for balance. As I understand it, at a certain speed (11 knots) water is forced into chambers on the winward side to make the boat sit more upright, having the same effect as people sitting on the rail.
I don't think the H50 (which is a cool boat IMHO) uses water as ballast but for balance. As I understand it, at a certain speed (11 knots) water is forced into chambers on the winward side to make the boat sit more upright, having the same effect as people sitting on the rail.
To BC from SD
Bryan: Actuall this is the quote about the water ballast from the HC50 page. Water Ballast System "The water ballast system on the HC-50 is a simple yet highly effective way of ballasting the boat in heavier winds. On both the port and starboard side of the boat there is a tank that is capable of holding 2700lbs of seawater. When the heel of the boat exceeds 20 degrees fill the windward tank and you suddenly have the equivalent of 12 200lbs crewmembers on the rail. The process is easy, simply open the valves on the high side and flip the pump switch, both of which are located in the cockpit. When the boat meets or exceeds 12 knots the tanks can be filled without the electric pump. Each tank can be filled in 5 minutes and the water can be transferred from tank to tank using gravity in under a minute. In the case of an accidental jibe the boat will heel slightly more and slow down. This is due to the fact that the water density in the tank is the same as that of the surrounding water." This boat is beyond cool, it is totally bitchin. I was at Pacific Sail Expo, and they had the proto type there. We understand that they have modified the boat slightly from the prototype. They will add a wheel instead of a tiller and several other things. It is a little stark inside but a good layout and well planned. If I had $400K+, I could acutally think about have one.
Bryan: Actuall this is the quote about the water ballast from the HC50 page. Water Ballast System "The water ballast system on the HC-50 is a simple yet highly effective way of ballasting the boat in heavier winds. On both the port and starboard side of the boat there is a tank that is capable of holding 2700lbs of seawater. When the heel of the boat exceeds 20 degrees fill the windward tank and you suddenly have the equivalent of 12 200lbs crewmembers on the rail. The process is easy, simply open the valves on the high side and flip the pump switch, both of which are located in the cockpit. When the boat meets or exceeds 12 knots the tanks can be filled without the electric pump. Each tank can be filled in 5 minutes and the water can be transferred from tank to tank using gravity in under a minute. In the case of an accidental jibe the boat will heel slightly more and slow down. This is due to the fact that the water density in the tank is the same as that of the surrounding water." This boat is beyond cool, it is totally bitchin. I was at Pacific Sail Expo, and they had the proto type there. We understand that they have modified the boat slightly from the prototype. They will add a wheel instead of a tiller and several other things. It is a little stark inside but a good layout and well planned. If I had $400K+, I could acutally think about have one.
Same thing SD
Right, but the HC50 has a standard keel and does not rely on water as its ballast like the trailerables. I agree with your commencts on the HC50. I saw the prototype at the Miami boat show last Feb. It looks like she'll do about 5 knots even before you start the motor or put the sails up Another example of Hunter pushing the envelope. I drooled over her and would love one too. Now, if you have any ideas on how to come up with about $500k ...
Right, but the HC50 has a standard keel and does not rely on water as its ballast like the trailerables. I agree with your commencts on the HC50. I saw the prototype at the Miami boat show last Feb. It looks like she'll do about 5 knots even before you start the motor or put the sails up
Another example of Hunter pushing the envelope. I drooled over her and would love one too. Now, if you have any ideas on how to come up with about $500k ...Similar View
I am in agreement that the sailing magazines overlook the myriad sailors who aren't going to buy the big purist boats. I have a Hunter 23.5 and a Catalina 250 wing keel. I prefer the 23.5 because it is easier to trailor,more fun to sail, and has about as much room in the cabin - and for a lot less money. However, the sailors I have talked with keep telling me that, apparently, what I believe is not really what I believe. I'll take the Hunter. John
I am in agreement that the sailing magazines overlook the myriad sailors who aren't going to buy the big purist boats. I have a Hunter 23.5 and a Catalina 250 wing keel. I prefer the 23.5 because it is easier to trailor,more fun to sail, and has about as much room in the cabin - and for a lot less money. However, the sailors I have talked with keep telling me that, apparently, what I believe is not really what I believe. I'll take the Hunter. John
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