I'm interested in purchasing a Hunter 260. I am currently sailing a Seafarer 23. My Seafarer 23 is an old, heavy, strong and stable boat, but rather limited in space. The use of the cabin area in the 260 really impressed me as well as the general design. However, I am concerned about the stability of the waterballast and center board boat. Are there any 260 sailors out there who have done extended cruising on the Great Lakes who could comment on the stability and strength of the Hunter 260? dkiracofe@comcast.net
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Dick
Must be great
Just talking to a Hunter dealer in Iowa this afternoon. Told me how he was offered a demo in a 260 when he was down in Florida picking up a boat. Said that he tried everything he could think of to lay the boat on its side, but could hardly get the rub rails in the water. He seemed pretty impressed.
Just talking to a Hunter dealer in Iowa this afternoon. Told me how he was offered a demo in a 260 when he was down in Florida picking up a boat. Said that he tried everything he could think of to lay the boat on its side, but could hardly get the rub rails in the water. He seemed pretty impressed.
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Mark
Easy
We sail our 260 on the Southern Ocean. Sailed it in 30-35 knot breezes nad fairly big seas. Have a problen with the mounting board for the water tank in the bow cracking away from its aft support however othwise it sails as well as you would expect for a boat of this size. Reef early and sail flat.
We sail our 260 on the Southern Ocean. Sailed it in 30-35 knot breezes nad fairly big seas. Have a problen with the mounting board for the water tank in the bow cracking away from its aft support however othwise it sails as well as you would expect for a boat of this size. Reef early and sail flat.
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Ray Bowles
Dave, We have a 95 H26 which is virtually the
same boat and sail out boat alot, like 1100 miles last summer, with much of this in winds in excess of 15 mph up to 25. Above 25 we usually find a nice beach as we sail on a river. She loves it and the ONLY difference is we reef earlier than the heavier boats her size. By doing that she sails flatter and much faster than most except true race boats. We also spend at least 2 nights a week on the hook with many trips of 5 to 7 days. Over 8 and I need to pump the 20 gal holding tank. There are just the 2 of us and we are retired. Add an additional reef in the third position and add a traveler and adjustable jib blocks if you really want to trick her out. Ballast is ballast regardless of material used. If stuck in the proper place all boats will sail. The beauty of water ballast is you leave it behind when towing thus allowing a larger boat to be towed. If you don't plan to tow then conventional boats are cheaper. Ray S/V Speedy
same boat and sail out boat alot, like 1100 miles last summer, with much of this in winds in excess of 15 mph up to 25. Above 25 we usually find a nice beach as we sail on a river. She loves it and the ONLY difference is we reef earlier than the heavier boats her size. By doing that she sails flatter and much faster than most except true race boats. We also spend at least 2 nights a week on the hook with many trips of 5 to 7 days. Over 8 and I need to pump the 20 gal holding tank. There are just the 2 of us and we are retired. Add an additional reef in the third position and add a traveler and adjustable jib blocks if you really want to trick her out. Ballast is ballast regardless of material used. If stuck in the proper place all boats will sail. The beauty of water ballast is you leave it behind when towing thus allowing a larger boat to be towed. If you don't plan to tow then conventional boats are cheaper. Ray S/V Speedy
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Mike Pajewski
We sail the other side of the lake
Dave We sail our H26 "Loon' out of Manitowoc, WI. I've been out in some pretty rough stuff on the lake, and the boat will take more than you will. Reef around 12-15 knots, and she does fine. We sailed last summer from Manitowoc to Sturgeon Bay. Pictures on this site. I would not have any second thoughts about crossing over to Manistee with the right weather window. As far as stability, the water ballast boat will heel quicker initially, and steadies up. The fin keel version sails about the same. The advantage of water ballast is easier trailerability. We have towed to the Apostle Islands, and this summer , will try a new sailing ground on Lake Winnebago. We schedule our own launchings and store the boat indoors or at home. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Dave We sail our H26 "Loon' out of Manitowoc, WI. I've been out in some pretty rough stuff on the lake, and the boat will take more than you will. Reef around 12-15 knots, and she does fine. We sailed last summer from Manitowoc to Sturgeon Bay. Pictures on this site. I would not have any second thoughts about crossing over to Manistee with the right weather window. As far as stability, the water ballast boat will heel quicker initially, and steadies up. The fin keel version sails about the same. The advantage of water ballast is easier trailerability. We have towed to the Apostle Islands, and this summer , will try a new sailing ground on Lake Winnebago. We schedule our own launchings and store the boat indoors or at home. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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Alan
Keel 260 (called a 270 now) vs. 260 water ballast.
Sorry Mike, have to disagree a little here. I generally reefed at 3-5 knots earlier in my 26 vs. a keeled 260. Some of that difference could be attributed to my older sails but not all. A ton of water wieghs as much as a ton of lead but, you can put the ton of lead much lower and on the centerline vs. water. I think the 26/260 is a blast, but somewhat less stable (heels quicker)then a keeled boat. Proper reefing is the key to keeping the kids and Mrs. happy (I like to put the rail in the water myself). When going to windward where reefing is needed, performance suffers because of the relatively large amount of windage from the high cabin which then competes with the reduced sail area for moving the boat. There is no free ride so the large cockpit, cabin and high freeboard that we all like carries the price of windage. Think about where you will sail, usual wind conditions, depth of the water, and so on. The 26 was best for me because of relatively low cost, large cabin and cockpit, and swing keel. I can let my six year olds walk to the beach from an anchorage. I don't trailer but, the water balast allows a lighter swing keel to be used. Heavy iorn swing keels carry their own set of problems that I didn't want. In my opinion, the boat lives to sail between 10 to 15 knots of wind. Personally have singlehanded in 28 to 30 knots with higher gusts. It was exciting. alan
Sorry Mike, have to disagree a little here. I generally reefed at 3-5 knots earlier in my 26 vs. a keeled 260. Some of that difference could be attributed to my older sails but not all. A ton of water wieghs as much as a ton of lead but, you can put the ton of lead much lower and on the centerline vs. water. I think the 26/260 is a blast, but somewhat less stable (heels quicker)then a keeled boat. Proper reefing is the key to keeping the kids and Mrs. happy (I like to put the rail in the water myself). When going to windward where reefing is needed, performance suffers because of the relatively large amount of windage from the high cabin which then competes with the reduced sail area for moving the boat. There is no free ride so the large cockpit, cabin and high freeboard that we all like carries the price of windage. Think about where you will sail, usual wind conditions, depth of the water, and so on. The 26 was best for me because of relatively low cost, large cabin and cockpit, and swing keel. I can let my six year olds walk to the beach from an anchorage. I don't trailer but, the water balast allows a lighter swing keel to be used. Heavy iorn swing keels carry their own set of problems that I didn't want. In my opinion, the boat lives to sail between 10 to 15 knots of wind. Personally have singlehanded in 28 to 30 knots with higher gusts. It was exciting. alan
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Jeff Peltier
angle of heal
You'll probable find that it will heal over further in a puff than your other boat. This is because the ballast not being as hung below the boat requires more heal for it to be effective. Once you're comfortable with that, the boat will handle alot of weather. As you have already heard, typically the 260 requires reefing a little earlier than other boats. It's a matter of how comfortable you want to be and how long you want your sails to last, more than safety. Jeff Peltier
You'll probable find that it will heal over further in a puff than your other boat. This is because the ballast not being as hung below the boat requires more heal for it to be effective. Once you're comfortable with that, the boat will handle alot of weather. As you have already heard, typically the 260 requires reefing a little earlier than other boats. It's a matter of how comfortable you want to be and how long you want your sails to last, more than safety. Jeff Peltier
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