I'm considering the purchase of a Hunter 260. I will be trailering it from Toronto to Florida each year. Am I setting myself up for a nightmare? Can anyone advise how they have made out with extended trips. I'm looking for comparisons between the water ballast & shoal keel models. (i.e. top speed & sway) Part 2.....Would i be considered on a KAMAKAZI mission for attempting a GULF STREAM crossing (weather permiting) in a water ballast vessel. Thank in advance. PS any other comments to help me make up my mind would be much appreciated.
- Status
Wouldn't do the Stream
I have a water ballast H26 and would not attempt taking it that far offshore. It's not rated for that either. As far as trailering, I've only pulled mine less than 500 miles at a time but it pulls with no problem. I never had any sway or see-sawing, even at highway speeds. Good luck, Jim
I have a water ballast H26 and would not attempt taking it that far offshore. It's not rated for that either. As far as trailering, I've only pulled mine less than 500 miles at a time but it pulls with no problem. I never had any sway or see-sawing, even at highway speeds. Good luck, Jim
Trailering-Yes/ Offshore-No
I agree with Jim's response on both counts. I have trailered my H26 with no problems 500 miles with a Chevy Blazer. I would suggest a somewhat heavier tow vehicle if you are going to go all the way to Florida. A transmission cooler should be added to the tow vehicle to protect the transmission from overheating and as a good insurance policy. Any good transmission shop can do it. Not very costly. Tanden axle trailer works well and tracks smoothly. I would suggest that all the trailer tires be balanced to make sure they ride smoothly and have proper air level. H26 is good boat, but I doubt offshore sailing is what it was designed for!! Good luck.
I agree with Jim's response on both counts. I have trailered my H26 with no problems 500 miles with a Chevy Blazer. I would suggest a somewhat heavier tow vehicle if you are going to go all the way to Florida. A transmission cooler should be added to the tow vehicle to protect the transmission from overheating and as a good insurance policy. Any good transmission shop can do it. Not very costly. Tanden axle trailer works well and tracks smoothly. I would suggest that all the trailer tires be balanced to make sure they ride smoothly and have proper air level. H26 is good boat, but I doubt offshore sailing is what it was designed for!! Good luck.
H260 Trailering
I tow with a F150 with heavy duty towing package and have no problems. Mostly flat terrain and fly down the road at 65mph. Do get a little fishy at 70 but that is rare when going that fast. Wish I could help with the offshore, you might pose the question to the forum at www.trailersailor.com Jim S/V Java
I tow with a F150 with heavy duty towing package and have no problems. Mostly flat terrain and fly down the road at 65mph. Do get a little fishy at 70 but that is rare when going that fast. Wish I could help with the offshore, you might pose the question to the forum at www.trailersailor.com Jim S/V Java
TOWING A H26 / H260
Scott: In Sept. 2000 we towed our just purchased 95 H26 (water ballast)on a Hunter dual axle trailer from Denver Co. to Spokane Wa. thru an early Wyoming snow storm with a 95 Ford 1/2 ton 4x4.(1100 miles) The truck has a 300 cu. in. 6 cyl motor. On good roads we ran at 60 to 65 mph without any problems. In the snow we reazlized we should have been towing toward Mexico. A 260 is a lovely, exciting boat, but not enough boat to attempt open water cruising. Good luck, Ray & Reba
Scott: In Sept. 2000 we towed our just purchased 95 H26 (water ballast)on a Hunter dual axle trailer from Denver Co. to Spokane Wa. thru an early Wyoming snow storm with a 95 Ford 1/2 ton 4x4.(1100 miles) The truck has a 300 cu. in. 6 cyl motor. On good roads we ran at 60 to 65 mph without any problems. In the snow we reazlized we should have been towing toward Mexico. A 260 is a lovely, exciting boat, but not enough boat to attempt open water cruising. Good luck, Ray & Reba
do it man
I bought my h26 in kansas and towed it home to the mtns. of new york. with a '85 chevy wagon. do the tranny cooler and have good tires. get the trailor wheels balanced and the axels greased. watch the tire pressure. if its not right then the trailor will give you trouble. Take your time and you'll do fine. if you plan to do this trip yearly i would also say that a "drag link" between the truck and trailor is the way to go. they are cheep and they stop sway. we tow show cars all over with a ford van and the drag link makes a differance and takes 2 min. to put on or take off. ...R
I bought my h26 in kansas and towed it home to the mtns. of new york. with a '85 chevy wagon. do the tranny cooler and have good tires. get the trailor wheels balanced and the axels greased. watch the tire pressure. if its not right then the trailor will give you trouble. Take your time and you'll do fine. if you plan to do this trip yearly i would also say that a "drag link" between the truck and trailor is the way to go. they are cheep and they stop sway. we tow show cars all over with a ford van and the drag link makes a differance and takes 2 min. to put on or take off. ...R
The Stream
We've trailered our Hunter 26 to Florida twice. Don't try to set the land speed record, use a tranny cooler and you should do fine. As for "crossing the stream", I suspect you mean going to Bimini. People have done that run in all sorts of boats, many of them hopelessly unsuitable. And some of the stoutest craft have come to grief there. Since you don't want to join Elian Gonzalez' mother, caution is paramount. You cross the stream according to it's convenience, not yours. The key is to wait for the proper weather and sea conditions suitable for your boat and skill. Sure, it's much safer to stay in the harbor, but that's not why you're a sailor, is it? The Bahamas government tourist bureau sponsors flotilla runs of small craft several times a year, with a chase boat and parties on arrival. I would look into those for a crossing.
We've trailered our Hunter 26 to Florida twice. Don't try to set the land speed record, use a tranny cooler and you should do fine. As for "crossing the stream", I suspect you mean going to Bimini. People have done that run in all sorts of boats, many of them hopelessly unsuitable. And some of the stoutest craft have come to grief there. Since you don't want to join Elian Gonzalez' mother, caution is paramount. You cross the stream according to it's convenience, not yours. The key is to wait for the proper weather and sea conditions suitable for your boat and skill. Sure, it's much safer to stay in the harbor, but that's not why you're a sailor, is it? The Bahamas government tourist bureau sponsors flotilla runs of small craft several times a year, with a chase boat and parties on arrival. I would look into those for a crossing.
Ferry?
A friend goes to Florida every year and told me this year he was taking his boat over to the islands on a ferry? Don't know any more but sounds safe. George s/v Whatever
A friend goes to Florida every year and told me this year he was taking his boat over to the islands on a ferry? Don't know any more but sounds safe. George s/v Whatever
Done it
I have a H26 (1995) and have thken it to the Gluf from NC. It travled great email me at edquad@mindspring.com.
I have a H26 (1995) and have thken it to the Gluf from NC. It travled great email me at edquad@mindspring.com.
- Status