Thinking of downsizing from my H26

[rade0041]

Water levels on our lake have been low for 2 years now making it impossible to keep my boat in the water. I am thinking of downsizing to a smaller more usable boat for where we are.

We don't ever spend the night in the 26 so I am looking for something with more cockpit room and less cabin room. So, that leads me to the Hunter 170, 216 and the newer 22. I'm not sure I will find a 22 in MN or WI so it is probably between the 170 and 216. I'm leaning towards the 216.

I know these boats are "plastic", they crack and people have issues with the hydraulic center board. I can deal with that stuff.

Do both boats have about the same amount of room in the cockpit? It is hard to tell from the pictures.

Are there any model years to avoid or a year where they made a "must have" design change?
Any other optional equipment that they came with that would be nice to have?
Any other advice when shopping for one of these boats?

Thanks!

 

[rgranger]

The biggest cockpit I have ever seen in a 22' boat is on a Rhodes 22.

The Rhodes 22 Owners' Group

rhodes22.org

From the description of how you want to use your boat, I would think a ComPac 16 might also be worth a look.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@rgranger
Being a dealer for Compac at SML, wind was not as good as the coast.

When Warren Luhrs asked me my thoughts on ACP, I strongly suggested building in fiberglass which did not occur but my other 17 recommendations were adopted on the 170.

 

[CurtisC]

Check out the Hunter 18 - the 170's bigger fiberglass brother Marlow Hunter 18

 

[CrispyCringle]

H23.5 and the 240's have big cockpits and a little simpler than the 26.

 

[waterman30]

My last boat was a Rhodes 22. Huge cockpit is right. Current boat is a 23.5. I anchor overnight a lot and has great liveability for its size (I am 6' tall) . Also great for thin water. Last weekend I dragged anchor overnight into about 3 feet of water and had no problem. I pull up the centerboard at anchor and partly pull up the rudder or at least take off a lot of tension. The 23.5 and 240 also have tilting pop top. Seems to work pretty much as well as Rhodes flat pop top. Cockpit size is decent and I like the two large cockpit lockers that are not open to below decks. I did like the way the Rhodes sailed with the longish stub keel and centerboard. Probably my fav configuration for how I sail. But the Hunter has suprised me at how good she sails for a water ballasted boat. The big full batten main and small jib (no furler on mine) work well. Over 15 kts I douse jib. At 20 take a reef. She sails well under main alone. Does not heave-to well. I'm talking lake sailing for both these boats.