HHEELLPP!!! We need your help and suggestions. My husband has decided the Hunter 260 is for us and is going to be giving a deposit on a new one over the weekend. Question is- we are unsure which options we really want/need. This is our first big (?) sailboat - He has been sailing a 16ft Hobie for 20yrs. Please help us decide-what do you think about the companionway canvas? Marine head or port-a-pottie?? any other wishes/needs you think we should consider? We are getting a lot of extras but wonder if we are wasting $$ or will be grateful. Thanks for your help-I don't think my h has been this excited since our first baby was born!! (I'm just scared!)
- Status
companionway canvas
We have a 95 23.5 and we like our companionway canvas because it protects the wood and plexiglass from the sun. We have seen several boats without the canvas and the wood is wore and the plexiglass seems to spiderweb.
We have a 95 23.5 and we like our companionway canvas because it protects the wood and plexiglass from the sun. We have seen several boats without the canvas and the wood is wore and the plexiglass seems to spiderweb.
How will you use the boat?
If you only go our for a day sail you could get by with less than if you spend the night. Anyway here are some things that we would consider important, 1. By all means get the marine head, the thought of dealing with a porta-pot in the summers heat is too much to bear. 2. A bimini will help protect you and the kids from that July sun. 3. If you plan to visit alot of the tight harbors on the south shore of LI (and you don't want to spring for radar) go for some type of charting gps (at least you will know where u are). 4. If you plan to cruise to Block Island and around LI and can spring for it radar is worth it (then you will know were everone else is in the fog, yes you will have fog) 5. Unless you will be gone for several days you can pass on refridgeration. 6. A dodger is nice for those cool/rainy days. If you have left over $ buy a bigger boat or better yet a used boat with all the goodies already on board. Russell Egge s/v Allie Kat
If you only go our for a day sail you could get by with less than if you spend the night. Anyway here are some things that we would consider important, 1. By all means get the marine head, the thought of dealing with a porta-pot in the summers heat is too much to bear. 2. A bimini will help protect you and the kids from that July sun. 3. If you plan to visit alot of the tight harbors on the south shore of LI (and you don't want to spring for radar) go for some type of charting gps (at least you will know where u are). 4. If you plan to cruise to Block Island and around LI and can spring for it radar is worth it (then you will know were everone else is in the fog, yes you will have fog) 5. Unless you will be gone for several days you can pass on refridgeration. 6. A dodger is nice for those cool/rainy days. If you have left over $ buy a bigger boat or better yet a used boat with all the goodies already on board. Russell Egge s/v Allie Kat
Dodger
Go for a dodger rather then the canvas, it has a traditional look and allows the slider to be open during rain etc. Becareful they don't size it to big, as you still have to be able to go forward with out to big a step or obstruction. Also a roller furler is a must to simplify things. For other issues, they will come with use and personal taste, instruments, compass, depth sounders stereo, etc.. good luck
Go for a dodger rather then the canvas, it has a traditional look and allows the slider to be open during rain etc. Becareful they don't size it to big, as you still have to be able to go forward with out to big a step or obstruction. Also a roller furler is a must to simplify things. For other issues, they will come with use and personal taste, instruments, compass, depth sounders stereo, etc.. good luck
Some Now Some Later
Joyce, You've chosen a great boat. Below are options I wouldn't do without. 1. Stern Rail Seats 2. Roller Furler 3. 9.9 Four Stroke electric start with remote controls. Honda's are well thought of. 4. Dual Batteries with a selector switch. 5. Canvas Camper Top for headroom and ventilation at night. 6. Marine head would be nice but it comes at a price. Portable Toilets need little maintenance. These items are best installed by the dealer. Most anything else can be added later as the budget allows. Good Luck, Jeff S/V "Festivity" 1996 Hunter 26
Joyce, You've chosen a great boat. Below are options I wouldn't do without. 1. Stern Rail Seats 2. Roller Furler 3. 9.9 Four Stroke electric start with remote controls. Honda's are well thought of. 4. Dual Batteries with a selector switch. 5. Canvas Camper Top for headroom and ventilation at night. 6. Marine head would be nice but it comes at a price. Portable Toilets need little maintenance. These items are best installed by the dealer. Most anything else can be added later as the budget allows. Good Luck, Jeff S/V "Festivity" 1996 Hunter 26
If You are Financing
Get all the high dollar items in with the boat, unless of coarse you are going to pay cash for them. You are going to be amazed however at how much you are going to spend real fast. My votes are: Roller Furling Stern Rail Seats GPS with Charting feature (they are handy on road trips too) VHF with Automated Fog Horn Radar Reflector (Not Expensive) Vessel Safety Check from Coast Guard Auxillary or Power Squadron(FREE)and Safe Boating Class (cost of materails usually about $25)
Get all the high dollar items in with the boat, unless of coarse you are going to pay cash for them. You are going to be amazed however at how much you are going to spend real fast. My votes are: Roller Furling Stern Rail Seats GPS with Charting feature (they are handy on road trips too) VHF with Automated Fog Horn Radar Reflector (Not Expensive) Vessel Safety Check from Coast Guard Auxillary or Power Squadron(FREE)and Safe Boating Class (cost of materails usually about $25)
A list of goodies.
Joyce, My wife and I are very happy for you two. We just bought a 1995 H26 last summer. The boats are almost the same. We have, and strongly recomend: 1. Stern rail seats. What a joy they are! 2. GPS 3. A good VHF radio. 4. Marine toilet. Much cleaner a fresh. 5. Flare Kit, First aid kit, and real Good life vests. We use water skiing type. 6. roller furling jib. Now that we've spent your retirement we will sign off. Good Luck, Ray & Reba.
Joyce, My wife and I are very happy for you two. We just bought a 1995 H26 last summer. The boats are almost the same. We have, and strongly recomend: 1. Stern rail seats. What a joy they are! 2. GPS 3. A good VHF radio. 4. Marine toilet. Much cleaner a fresh. 5. Flare Kit, First aid kit, and real Good life vests. We use water skiing type. 6. roller furling jib. Now that we've spent your retirement we will sign off. Good Luck, Ray & Reba.
sewing machine
buy a sewing machine from sailrite. You can make any canvas goods you ever need and pay for the machine many times over. My 42 came with a bimini but To this I added a complete enclosure, have recovered cushions, made canvas storage bags for the exterior and interior and still have the machine.
buy a sewing machine from sailrite. You can make any canvas goods you ever need and pay for the machine many times over. My 42 came with a bimini but To this I added a complete enclosure, have recovered cushions, made canvas storage bags for the exterior and interior and still have the machine.
While your at It!
I added to mine 260. Wheel steering. Pedestal guard for
a) mounting the cockpit table. (b) for mounting the Honda engine controls. Get the Bimini. Most of all...enjoy!
I added to mine 260. Wheel steering. Pedestal guard for
a) mounting the cockpit table. (b) for mounting the Honda engine controls. Get the Bimini. Most of all...enjoy!
Goodies
We got our H260 April 2000 and we go on three day sails. Goodies: Compainionway canvas a must stops water from coming in. We have used this while under way during rain. Easy to pass things back and forth. Marine Head is a tough choice do you have plenty of access to pump outs, then get it, else the port-a-pottie. Bimini Poptop dodger get this from your dealer AmeriSeam makes both. Roller furler a MUST. Wheel steering with pedestal guard have any intruments mounted there. I'm the process of have this done for pedestal guard. Engine controls on the pedestal. Honda 9.9 Have it Love it. Stern Rail Seats Happy Sailing Jim S/V Java
We got our H260 April 2000 and we go on three day sails. Goodies: Compainionway canvas a must stops water from coming in. We have used this while under way during rain. Easy to pass things back and forth. Marine Head is a tough choice do you have plenty of access to pump outs, then get it, else the port-a-pottie. Bimini Poptop dodger get this from your dealer AmeriSeam makes both. Roller furler a MUST. Wheel steering with pedestal guard have any intruments mounted there. I'm the process of have this done for pedestal guard. Engine controls on the pedestal. Honda 9.9 Have it Love it. Stern Rail Seats Happy Sailing Jim S/V Java
270
I don't know what the difference between the 260 and 270 is but if possible I would order an inboard diesel. Add a manuual bilge pump, located in cockpit no matter what.
I don't know what the difference between the 260 and 270 is but if possible I would order an inboard diesel. Add a manuual bilge pump, located in cockpit no matter what.
acc
suggest as basics, wheel steering with controls for throttle and gear selectionon the pedestal, roller furling, stern rail seats, upgrade fabric cushions, shore power if leaving in the water and mast head VHF antenna for the radio. Depends on the dealer who you are dealing with as to what they might recommend. Crazy Dave Condon
suggest as basics, wheel steering with controls for throttle and gear selectionon the pedestal, roller furling, stern rail seats, upgrade fabric cushions, shore power if leaving in the water and mast head VHF antenna for the radio. Depends on the dealer who you are dealing with as to what they might recommend. Crazy Dave Condon
In the same boat!!
Joyce, I'm buyng the 260 next week, after I do a little more homework! My list of options are "must have" and "add ons". Focus on those options that must be installed by the dealer, and those which improve the overall safety of the boat vs those you can upgrade to later and are more or less convenience items. I'm curious to know if you plan to trailer the 260? Are you getting the fixed keel? Please let me know how things work out. Best of luck to you!!
Joyce, I'm buyng the 260 next week, after I do a little more homework! My list of options are "must have" and "add ons". Focus on those options that must be installed by the dealer, and those which improve the overall safety of the boat vs those you can upgrade to later and are more or less convenience items. I'm curious to know if you plan to trailer the 260? Are you getting the fixed keel? Please let me know how things work out. Best of luck to you!!
Accessories............
just buy a bigger boat that has all this as standard equipment. Now that you are moving up to a cruising boat you are going want a bigger one in 3 years anyway. The other option is to buy a larger used boat that has the canvas, shore power, batteries, roller furling etc etc for the same price that you are going to end up spending anyway. This is assuming that you are NOT going to trailer the boat around.
just buy a bigger boat that has all this as standard equipment. Now that you are moving up to a cruising boat you are going want a bigger one in 3 years anyway. The other option is to buy a larger used boat that has the canvas, shore power, batteries, roller furling etc etc for the same price that you are going to end up spending anyway. This is assuming that you are NOT going to trailer the boat around.
The guy under me is right
I bought a new 450,should have listened and put the money on an older boat with all the goodies,and a little debt dont hoit[ny]. I havent stopped working on this new boat.
I bought a new 450,should have listened and put the money on an older boat with all the goodies,and a little debt dont hoit[ny]. I havent stopped working on this new boat.
thank you all
I truly appreciate your help- we have decided, based on your replies, to go w/ the marine head, but not on the companionway at the moment. Also saw a picture of a pop-up canvas where companionway would sit- does the companionway pop up too?? We can always add that on as time goes on. Believe me- I tried to convince my h to go w/ a used boat and all the goodies included but he has his heart set on a trailerable and wants new new new so we will pay pay pay!!! Kevin- we live in Merrick, where are you from?? We plan to keep the boat in a slip (don't know where) but will take it out and store it over the winter. I thin my h wants the boat close by. Who are you buying your boat from?? If you want, you can email us at joycefl6@yahoo.com. Hopefully we will see you at Fire Island this summer?? Looking forward to hearing from you. I think one of the things my husband is so excited about is meeting a lot of great people. this forum is a perfect beginning.. Hope I don't drive you all crazy w/ stupid questions but remember- he is the excited one, I am the scared one. Please have patience. Joyce
I truly appreciate your help- we have decided, based on your replies, to go w/ the marine head, but not on the companionway at the moment. Also saw a picture of a pop-up canvas where companionway would sit- does the companionway pop up too?? We can always add that on as time goes on. Believe me- I tried to convince my h to go w/ a used boat and all the goodies included but he has his heart set on a trailerable and wants new new new so we will pay pay pay!!! Kevin- we live in Merrick, where are you from?? We plan to keep the boat in a slip (don't know where) but will take it out and store it over the winter. I thin my h wants the boat close by. Who are you buying your boat from?? If you want, you can email us at joycefl6@yahoo.com. Hopefully we will see you at Fire Island this summer?? Looking forward to hearing from you. I think one of the things my husband is so excited about is meeting a lot of great people. this forum is a perfect beginning.. Hope I don't drive you all crazy w/ stupid questions but remember- he is the excited one, I am the scared one. Please have patience. Joyce
Don't Forget the Screen for Companionway
For a extra $90.00 you can attach a screen to the Canvas. This should help keep the bugs out. I just purchased the 240 and can us at night looking for refuge from the bugs. I hope this helps, Brad Amundson
For a extra $90.00 you can attach a screen to the Canvas. This should help keep the bugs out. I just purchased the 240 and can us at night looking for refuge from the bugs. I hope this helps, Brad Amundson
Pop Your Top !
A couple of rainy days aboard will convice you that the pop-up top is a very good investment. Ours stayed in the bag for months but those rainy days really made it essential. It's possible to sail with it up, but I don't care for it. Even under the best of 'over-night' conditions it helps keep moisture, debris and bugs out of the cabin. Unless you're well under 5' tall, you need the headroom. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
A couple of rainy days aboard will convice you that the pop-up top is a very good investment. Ours stayed in the bag for months but those rainy days really made it essential. It's possible to sail with it up, but I don't care for it. Even under the best of 'over-night' conditions it helps keep moisture, debris and bugs out of the cabin. Unless you're well under 5' tall, you need the headroom. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Hey Neighbor
I thought your husband was going for the 26 (used). I would consider using one of the newer portable sanitation units that you could dump or pump out instead of a marine head, shore power, roller furling, and a shower for starters. Anyway, give me a call if you want more input. Nice to know that I'll have someone to sail with now that the guy who showed your husband the winged keel 260 moved to Florida. Alan
I thought your husband was going for the 26 (used). I would consider using one of the newer portable sanitation units that you could dump or pump out instead of a marine head, shore power, roller furling, and a shower for starters. Anyway, give me a call if you want more input. Nice to know that I'll have someone to sail with now that the guy who showed your husband the winged keel 260 moved to Florida. Alan
- Status