We're seriously considering purchasing an H260 in the next few months. Because of our budget and God willing, we'll probably be looking for a good pre-owned 260. Could someone advise of the progressive improvements made on the H260 over the past few years. Of those improvements, what have been the most important or most critical? Is there a particular year to stay away from? In the older 260's, are there certain improvements that I should look for or confirm before purchasing? We have been also considering the Catalina 250 wk. In looking at the Catalina 25/250 Owners Forum (by the way, that is an outstanding forum) they have some posts advising of the progressive changes of the C250 which was very helpful. I don't know if I just couldn't think of the right words, but I couldn't find any topics here that discussed those changes to the 260. If someone can remember the post and refer me to it, that would help also. Lastly, if anyone has experienced both the C250 (wing keel) and the H260 (water ballast), I would like to know your comparative analysis. Thanks for your advice. It's appreciated.
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Crazy Dave Condon
minor improvements
There have been no major improvements. That was done when the 26 was changed to the 260. If you would want an in depth anaylsis of the 260 and 250 on construction, I know the boats too well but there is alot and I will be glad to email you the info as it will be alot. So that you know, I am a dealer but I do know all the boats you have mentioned too well. What is your email address? Crazy Dave Condon
There have been no major improvements. That was done when the 26 was changed to the 260. If you would want an in depth anaylsis of the 260 and 250 on construction, I know the boats too well but there is alot and I will be glad to email you the info as it will be alot. So that you know, I am a dealer but I do know all the boats you have mentioned too well. What is your email address? Crazy Dave Condon
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John Powell
Avoid the 250
Look back in the archives and you will see my ranting about the 250 I owned (its someone else's problem now). I think you will find the 260 to be a lot more boat. John
Look back in the archives and you will see my ranting about the 250 I owned (its someone else's problem now). I think you will find the 260 to be a lot more boat. John
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Darren Mayes
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Ray Trombino
Progressinve Improvements
The biggest improvement was additional opening ports. As Dave said, all the rest are pretty minor. (I wish I had a few more opening ports). Ray
The biggest improvement was additional opening ports. As Dave said, all the rest are pretty minor. (I wish I had a few more opening ports). Ray
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Rob Verner
260 wb vs 250 wk
Comparing the 260 water ballast to a 250 wing keel doesn't seem a fair comparison. However I'm facing the same question and am hoping to test both this summer.I tried a Macgregor last fall and was underwhelmed. Crazy Dave where are you? I'm in Vermont, but can go anywhere in the Northeast. Rob
Comparing the 260 water ballast to a 250 wing keel doesn't seem a fair comparison. However I'm facing the same question and am hoping to test both this summer.I tried a Macgregor last fall and was underwhelmed. Crazy Dave where are you? I'm in Vermont, but can go anywhere in the Northeast. Rob
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Tim Daley
I want info. too, please
Dave I am buying a '94 26 (or is it 260 for that year ?) and I'd be happy to get any and all info about any changes, problems, technical, or whatever. Sent to daleytim@hotmail.com. Thanks, Tim
Dave I am buying a '94 26 (or is it 260 for that year ?) and I'd be happy to get any and all info about any changes, problems, technical, or whatever. Sent to daleytim@hotmail.com. Thanks, Tim
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Douglas Miles
Take a 200 mile drive if you want to...
Bobby, My 260 sits next to a MacGregor 26 & a Catalina 250 (dry storage). The Hunter is significantly larger and much more nicely appointed. We are extremely happy with the 260 and are out enjoying it most weekends. We plan on cruising Lake Travis again soon but haven't firmed up the plans yet. You are welcome to join us up here in Arlington for an outing if you can't find anyone closer. Doug
Bobby, My 260 sits next to a MacGregor 26 & a Catalina 250 (dry storage). The Hunter is significantly larger and much more nicely appointed. We are extremely happy with the 260 and are out enjoying it most weekends. We plan on cruising Lake Travis again soon but haven't firmed up the plans yet. You are welcome to join us up here in Arlington for an outing if you can't find anyone closer. Doug
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Rick Webb
Looked at the 26X, 250 & 26 before buying a 23.5
I dismissed the 26X as soon as I walked into it. I did not like the mast raising system on the 250 and thought it was more comperable to the 23.5 than the 26. On the 250 the boat must be on the trailer to raise the mast. I had decided on the 26 but found a super deal on the 23.5 and thought the 26 might be a little too big for the cars we had to tow. It is a tough decision but take your time and when your boat shows itself you will know.
I dismissed the 26X as soon as I walked into it. I did not like the mast raising system on the 250 and thought it was more comperable to the 23.5 than the 26. On the 250 the boat must be on the trailer to raise the mast. I had decided on the 26 but found a super deal on the 23.5 and thought the 26 might be a little too big for the cars we had to tow. It is a tough decision but take your time and when your boat shows itself you will know.
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Chris Haake
Where's the extra 6?
The H26 lengh is 25'9 and the H260 lengh is 26'3. Where is the extra 6 inches on the H260?
The H26 lengh is 25'9 and the H260 lengh is 26'3. Where is the extra 6 inches on the H260?
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Bobby Duvall
So far, so good. Thanks
Dave, my email is RDUVALL@austin.rr.com and I would seriously appreciate your advice. Doug, thanks very much for the offer to sail and I might take you up on it if I can't find someone in the Austin area. I would also appreciate your insights on your boat. I made an inquiry to LaVida Starships and may take my family up to the Dallas Boat Show this week if I can get away from work. They have a couple of pre-owned 260's in stock. Through the C25/250 forum, a high school coach took me and my family out on his 250wk and we were immensly impressed and I've sailed with him a couple of times since. I hope to experience a 260 sometime in the next month or so if it works out. I want to have experienced both boats before heading toward a purchase. Reference the idea of choosing between a C250wk and the 260: I read a couple of posts on the 250 site advising it was not hard to launch the wk once you got it all together and I've seen many positive posts on the 250 wk. For me, I'll have the boat in the water about 85% time but I want the trailer-ability. I also understand that the 260 may be a little faster on hull speed. Back in October, Calvin Smith (from this forum) I think recently purchased a 260 (coming from a 250) but wanted to sail it a few times before he advised me of his thoughts between the two good boats. It might be about time to hear back from him. Thanks again for your input. It is valuable to me.
Dave, my email is RDUVALL@austin.rr.com and I would seriously appreciate your advice. Doug, thanks very much for the offer to sail and I might take you up on it if I can't find someone in the Austin area. I would also appreciate your insights on your boat. I made an inquiry to LaVida Starships and may take my family up to the Dallas Boat Show this week if I can get away from work. They have a couple of pre-owned 260's in stock. Through the C25/250 forum, a high school coach took me and my family out on his 250wk and we were immensly impressed and I've sailed with him a couple of times since. I hope to experience a 260 sometime in the next month or so if it works out. I want to have experienced both boats before heading toward a purchase. Reference the idea of choosing between a C250wk and the 260: I read a couple of posts on the 250 site advising it was not hard to launch the wk once you got it all together and I've seen many positive posts on the 250 wk. For me, I'll have the boat in the water about 85% time but I want the trailer-ability. I also understand that the 260 may be a little faster on hull speed. Back in October, Calvin Smith (from this forum) I think recently purchased a 260 (coming from a 250) but wanted to sail it a few times before he advised me of his thoughts between the two good boats. It might be about time to hear back from him. Thanks again for your input. It is valuable to me.
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Brian
Extra 6 inches
I recently bought an 1996 H-26. I also looked at a new 2003 260. Most of the differences are minor. One thing I noticed is that the stern is a little different. The 260 has more length and slope on the stern and a slightly larger "swim platform" at the top of the steps. I would think that accounts for most of it but I can't really say for sure. I really could not tell the diffence in the interior except for a couple of small things. The cabin table does not drop down into the seats to form a 3rd bunk which apparently the 260 does. It does swivel around to extend the V-berth. The sink counter in the head has a small compartment on top to to hold things under sail that I believe is not on the 260. The compartment for the batteries seems bigger on the 26 than the 260 although the 260 was equipped with a holding tank that is not on my 26. The 260 had a 20 gallon fresh water tank installed in the large compartment under the V-berth. My 26 has 2 small collapsible tanks (one under each sink) On the plus side I have a huge locker under the V-berth. On the minus side I have less tankage. I won't know how this will play out until I get to really use the boat this summer. The 260 has permanent mast struts installed which probably makes a slightly better mast raising system instead of the 2 wires used on the 26. The fuel locker is taller on the 260 and there is a seat in the middle of the cockpit at the stern which accounts for the extra height. Hope this helps. Thanks Brian
I recently bought an 1996 H-26. I also looked at a new 2003 260. Most of the differences are minor. One thing I noticed is that the stern is a little different. The 260 has more length and slope on the stern and a slightly larger "swim platform" at the top of the steps. I would think that accounts for most of it but I can't really say for sure. I really could not tell the diffence in the interior except for a couple of small things. The cabin table does not drop down into the seats to form a 3rd bunk which apparently the 260 does. It does swivel around to extend the V-berth. The sink counter in the head has a small compartment on top to to hold things under sail that I believe is not on the 260. The compartment for the batteries seems bigger on the 26 than the 260 although the 260 was equipped with a holding tank that is not on my 26. The 260 had a 20 gallon fresh water tank installed in the large compartment under the V-berth. My 26 has 2 small collapsible tanks (one under each sink) On the plus side I have a huge locker under the V-berth. On the minus side I have less tankage. I won't know how this will play out until I get to really use the boat this summer. The 260 has permanent mast struts installed which probably makes a slightly better mast raising system instead of the 2 wires used on the 26. The fuel locker is taller on the 260 and there is a seat in the middle of the cockpit at the stern which accounts for the extra height. Hope this helps. Thanks Brian
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Douglas Miles
Try to get experience loading/unloading on trailer
Bobby, See if your friend will let you help him get the Catalina on & off the trailer. The ones I have helped with had to run the tow vehicle significantly deeper into the water than I have to. I am not a waders kind of guy like my Catalina bretheren. If you don't deal with trailering that often then it may not be that big of a deal. The extra 1000 pounds of ballast will also be noticed when trailering. Any concern about dragging the fixed wing keel on Lake Travis's rocks? Stay deep! I have really enjoyed being able to beach (still a catamaran guy at heart!) the boat along the gulf coast when we get the chance. Doug
Bobby, See if your friend will let you help him get the Catalina on & off the trailer. The ones I have helped with had to run the tow vehicle significantly deeper into the water than I have to. I am not a waders kind of guy like my Catalina bretheren. If you don't deal with trailering that often then it may not be that big of a deal. The extra 1000 pounds of ballast will also be noticed when trailering. Any concern about dragging the fixed wing keel on Lake Travis's rocks? Stay deep! I have really enjoyed being able to beach (still a catamaran guy at heart!) the boat along the gulf coast when we get the chance. Doug
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Tom
26 --> 260
Check out the HOW Boat boat info section for more info on changes between 26 and 260, complete with pictures and specs. In Addition to the info already posted: + Rudder changed substancially + Wheel helm option added with H260 + Opening port in aft berth (under cockpit seat) This is really a nice feature. + Mast is lighter due to struts that were added. + Cabinet was added in the Galley Fair winds, Tom
Check out the HOW Boat boat info section for more info on changes between 26 and 260, complete with pictures and specs. In Addition to the info already posted: + Rudder changed substancially + Wheel helm option added with H260 + Opening port in aft berth (under cockpit seat) This is really a nice feature. + Mast is lighter due to struts that were added. + Cabinet was added in the Galley Fair winds, Tom
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Calvin
My Opinion
I believe the 260 is much better than the Catalina 250 WB and that the 250 WB is significantly better than the 250WK. When considering the 250WK bear in mind that this boat was designed from the start as a water ballast boat. I have seen postings on the Catalina users site that support this- the WB is significantly faster and since the WK is actually underballasted probably more stable. I have owned the Mac 26X, the Catalina 250 WB and now a Hunter 260. No way I would go back to either of the first 2.
I believe the 260 is much better than the Catalina 250 WB and that the 250 WB is significantly better than the 250WK. When considering the 250WK bear in mind that this boat was designed from the start as a water ballast boat. I have seen postings on the Catalina users site that support this- the WB is significantly faster and since the WK is actually underballasted probably more stable. I have owned the Mac 26X, the Catalina 250 WB and now a Hunter 260. No way I would go back to either of the first 2.
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