I'm still looking for the perfect trailer sailor, even though there doesn't really seem to be one. The Santana 2023 (W. D. Schock Corp.) can be set up for sailing in 10 minutes or less, with no tools. Roller furling jib and main, special quick-connect headstay, permanently-attached shrouds are the reason it can be set up so fast. It was even the Cruising World/Sailing World Boat of the Year for water ballast trailerables a few years ago. The Hunter 240 is a little newer design, looks more finished, and dealers are closer (not close enough, but closer), and I'm really impressed with the HOW support group. But most of my sailing will be off the trailer, and set up time is important. A half-hour on the ramp, in the dark, with the bugs biting, and kids fussing, can seem like forever (been there, done that). So how long does it take you to set up and take down your Hunter 240?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
G
Gregory Stebbins
Well...
Russ, I've no experience with a 240 but if you don't count the time spent in the emergency room and X-ray, a Hunter 23 isn't to bad.
Russ, I've no experience with a 240 but if you don't count the time spent in the emergency room and X-ray, a Hunter 23 isn't to bad.
J
Joe R.
More than 10 min
My first time to set up the 240 took about 3hrs, but I had only seen it done once and wanted to be very sure not to screw up. My previous boat took about 45 min when I had one other that also knew what to do. I can set up the 240 in about the same time after having done it several times now. I can also do the whole thing alone when necessary. Takes a little longer. I prefer to step the mast once the boat is already in the water (not as far to fall and water is softer than road.) It takes about 15 min to get ready to attach the boom (step the mast and jib). Every thing else is already in place and the balast tank is flooded.
My first time to set up the 240 took about 3hrs, but I had only seen it done once and wanted to be very sure not to screw up. My previous boat took about 45 min when I had one other that also knew what to do. I can set up the 240 in about the same time after having done it several times now. I can also do the whole thing alone when necessary. Takes a little longer. I prefer to step the mast once the boat is already in the water (not as far to fall and water is softer than road.) It takes about 15 min to get ready to attach the boom (step the mast and jib). Every thing else is already in place and the balast tank is flooded.
T
Tom
half hour max...
unless you're drinking a few beers, great mast raising system, add launch time, and yes ya don't want to fall off so be careful on the foredeck.
unless you're drinking a few beers, great mast raising system, add launch time, and yes ya don't want to fall off so be careful on the foredeck.
D
Dave Condon
working alone?
If your wife and you do it together once you have the routine down, 15 minutes is what I have seen. I can do it in the same time but I know the boat some may disagree but the key is learning a routine that the both of you are happy with. Crazy Dave
If your wife and you do it together once you have the routine down, 15 minutes is what I have seen. I can do it in the same time but I know the boat some may disagree but the key is learning a routine that the both of you are happy with. Crazy Dave
M
MIke B
set up time
Although I would agree that set up time is important, We have had our h23 for years , no trips to er, just one office call, , In my opinion , find a boat that suits you and learn to do it quickly , do not let that be a deciding factor, The more you do it the easier it gets, etc, Unless there was some horrendous problem with setting up , it is not a good measurment, of boat to buy, they are sail boats, not set up boats, Mike
Although I would agree that set up time is important, We have had our h23 for years , no trips to er, just one office call, , In my opinion , find a boat that suits you and learn to do it quickly , do not let that be a deciding factor, The more you do it the easier it gets, etc, Unless there was some horrendous problem with setting up , it is not a good measurment, of boat to buy, they are sail boats, not set up boats, Mike
C
Charlie Kilmer
WORTH THE TROUBLE
Russ, No matter what you buy, it will take 15-30 minutes to set up. My last boat (a 14 ft. O'Day) took 15-20 minutes. The new boat (H 240) takes about the same amount of time. The only thing quicker is a fishing boat....... Well worth the time spent to enjoy sailing. This boat trailers well, launches well, and loads well. Hope it works for you! Charlie, "GOOD MEDICINE "
Russ, No matter what you buy, it will take 15-30 minutes to set up. My last boat (a 14 ft. O'Day) took 15-20 minutes. The new boat (H 240) takes about the same amount of time. The only thing quicker is a fishing boat....... Well worth the time spent to enjoy sailing. This boat trailers well, launches well, and loads well. Hope it works for you! Charlie, "GOOD MEDICINE "
H
Harvey Small
Enough time
Let's face it, I've never had to worry about launching the boat before the trailer's wheel bearings have cooled down!
Let's face it, I've never had to worry about launching the boat before the trailer's wheel bearings have cooled down!
R
Russ King
Thank you!
Thanks for the info. I wrote to Hunter, to ask why they haven't improved the setup time. The Santana literature claims 7 minutes to set up. Who wouldn't want that? Here's their setup: roll mast back (mast crutch has roller), insert in mast step; raise mast, attach forestay with quick-connect auto-tensioner; fold down the boom; fill ballast tank; attach a few lines (shroud lines are always connected; they refer to halyards, sheets, traveller, etc.), unfurl the main and jib; sail away. If Hunter had this setup on their trailerables, I think I'd buy one tomorrow.
Thanks for the info. I wrote to Hunter, to ask why they haven't improved the setup time. The Santana literature claims 7 minutes to set up. Who wouldn't want that? Here's their setup: roll mast back (mast crutch has roller), insert in mast step; raise mast, attach forestay with quick-connect auto-tensioner; fold down the boom; fill ballast tank; attach a few lines (shroud lines are always connected; they refer to halyards, sheets, traveller, etc.), unfurl the main and jib; sail away. If Hunter had this setup on their trailerables, I think I'd buy one tomorrow.
S
Stephen Dawes
260 time....
We have rigged/de-rigged our H260 about 30 times over the last 18 months. It takes MINIMUM 40 minutes frome the time you enter the ramp pkg lot to fully rigged and on the water.. This 40-45 minute time is a practical rig time for weekend trips etc..and can only be achieved with practice. It assumes you are also packing the boat with your gear for the weekend and fully rigging the boat before you launch.. Our local dealers talked about 15-20 minutes but that is just not practical. Sure, you can raise the mast and attach the forestay in about 15 min, but fully rig and launch?, I don't think so.. Stephen Dawes H260 PS. My wife and I are in our early 30's and are pretty good shape.!!
We have rigged/de-rigged our H260 about 30 times over the last 18 months. It takes MINIMUM 40 minutes frome the time you enter the ramp pkg lot to fully rigged and on the water.. This 40-45 minute time is a practical rig time for weekend trips etc..and can only be achieved with practice. It assumes you are also packing the boat with your gear for the weekend and fully rigging the boat before you launch.. Our local dealers talked about 15-20 minutes but that is just not practical. Sure, you can raise the mast and attach the forestay in about 15 min, but fully rig and launch?, I don't think so.. Stephen Dawes H260 PS. My wife and I are in our early 30's and are pretty good shape.!!
M
Mike Pajewski
Depends on what's hanging from the mast
Although the Santana sets up easier, it is more comparable to a MacGregor than a Hunter. They use a lighter mast section, less sail area, and sheetmetal tangs and turnbuckles and not the heavier duty hardware on our Hunters. During the Sail magazine rally for the trailerable boats, the mainsheet pulled out of the deck on the Santana. I'll keep my Hunter. I find every time I add something to improve the rig, my setup time goes up. Add a CDI furler, lazy jacks, VHF antenn, windex. I have found that I have more success spending the (2-3 hours) afternoon thoroughly rigging the boat is better than making a mistake. When we lived in Iowa, we kept our boat in a marina on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, and launched on the Iowa side about 3 miles downriver. On launch day the wind really piped up, so we elected to motor the boat to the marina and put the sails on there. The next day, I started to pull the messenger line down for the CDI furler and the knot came undone. (My fault-poor knot choice) boat. You can haul a 210 lb. guy to the top of the mast on a H26 using the main halyard and a seat harness. The people eating their dinners in the marina resteraunt for surely amused. I know take my time and do it right. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Although the Santana sets up easier, it is more comparable to a MacGregor than a Hunter. They use a lighter mast section, less sail area, and sheetmetal tangs and turnbuckles and not the heavier duty hardware on our Hunters. During the Sail magazine rally for the trailerable boats, the mainsheet pulled out of the deck on the Santana. I'll keep my Hunter. I find every time I add something to improve the rig, my setup time goes up. Add a CDI furler, lazy jacks, VHF antenn, windex. I have found that I have more success spending the (2-3 hours) afternoon thoroughly rigging the boat is better than making a mistake. When we lived in Iowa, we kept our boat in a marina on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, and launched on the Iowa side about 3 miles downriver. On launch day the wind really piped up, so we elected to motor the boat to the marina and put the sails on there. The next day, I started to pull the messenger line down for the CDI furler and the knot came undone. (My fault-poor knot choice) boat. You can haul a 210 lb. guy to the top of the mast on a H26 using the main halyard and a seat harness. The people eating their dinners in the marina resteraunt for surely amused. I know take my time and do it right. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
J
Joe Baker
L&R H-26
We launch and retrieve like the power boats(quicker than most). Pop a couple straps and back it in!!! Set up mast, connect boom(main attached), connect rigid vang, raise the main, unfurl the jib and sail away in 10 to 20 minutes. A little sweat is created for the 10 minute version. Another 10 minutes to have a refreshment and check everything is a good idea. Some enjoyment can be had just by becoming proficient. We have beaten a number of power boats away from the dock!!!
We launch and retrieve like the power boats(quicker than most). Pop a couple straps and back it in!!! Set up mast, connect boom(main attached), connect rigid vang, raise the main, unfurl the jib and sail away in 10 to 20 minutes. A little sweat is created for the 10 minute version. Another 10 minutes to have a refreshment and check everything is a good idea. Some enjoyment can be had just by becoming proficient. We have beaten a number of power boats away from the dock!!!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.