which boat to buy

[Capt John]

Here's the problem. We're new to sailing and plan on purchasing our first boat. We really like the Hunter 25 we saw at the Strictly Sail boat show in Chicago last year. We are planning on purchasing one at next year's show. But, I saw a nice used Hunter 30 for about the same price on the net. As a novice, I wonder if the 30' would be to much? What do you recommend I put in/add to the Hunter 25 if I purchase that one? I can't seem to find a used 1990's-2000's Hunter 25 (fresh water). Does everyone keep them once they get them? One of the reasons drawing me to the boat. People must really enjoy them. We plan on having a slip for the boat and shore power is available at the marina.

Thanks for any advise.

Cheers,

John

 

[Chuck Creel]

hunter25 vs hunter 30

i own a 1979 hunter 30 and love it. friend of mine has a 1984 26.5 that i have sailed and it depends on what you are gonna do with it and size of family.

both the 25 and 26.5 are good handling boats and fast but the interior room can't compare to the hunter 30. If you are planning on anchoring out for a few days i'd go with the 30. the head room in my h-30 is 6'2" and lots of srorage space.

The H-30 is really a coastal cruiser. Wife and I have stayed out as long as 4 days without being too cramped.


If i can answer any questions for ya drop me an e-mail with your number or i can send you my cell.


fair winds.

Captain Charles Creel

 

[GuyT]

How many crew??

Most all boats today say they are easy to single hand and with roller furlers and sheets going back to the cockpit, that is true. The real challenge is getting off and back in the dock with a larger boat with only one person. Sure it depends on your dock. Is there a cross current? Is there protection from wind? How tight will you be between your neighbors?
Once you are on the water you will say, man I would like a bigger boat! Boats are easy to handle on the open water - it is in confined space and the size of the crew that may be a determining factor.
Another thing is comfort - are you going to stay onboard overnight or just daysail? If you are staying overnight, get a bigger boat.
Personally if I was going to dock the boat at a slip, I would get the 30 ft. The 25 ft. boat is more in the trailer-able size.

 

[seadaddler]

30

I would go with the 30ft over the 25ft because in the 25 to 30
is real no big deal to handle.
Some boats are easier to sail than other singled handed,with all
lines leading back to cockpit,The Hunter arch over the cockpit with
travelar above makes things easy,furling main makes things real easy.
I had a Hunter 290 no furling main but sailed it single handed many times.
Docking with wind takes time to learn on any size boat,the more you do it
the better you get.
I now have a 36-Hunter and first few times docking were very scary for me
trying to get used to all the controls for the engine power,last year was my first year with it and I was always nervous in and out of dock.
My crew was not always very helpful and had to do most of docking myself,I
now give my crew very important instructions what to do.
I also now back my 36 into my slip when not very windy,it took time for me
to get brave to back her in,even did it first time by my salf with no wind.
My wife kept asking me to back her in so we could use the rear walk through
stern step,so much better now.
I single hand my 36 many times and anchor out even single handed,it takes time
to learn how to handle a boat.
Nick

 

[Capt John]

Great Advise

Great advise and Thanks!

I have sailed a little with friends. We own a bow rider for tubing/wake boarding now. With the age of our kids (20yoa 3rd yr of college/ 15yoa high school), they are busy on their own, so it would mostly be the wife and I with my daughter and a friend tagging along at times. We would be doing mostly daysailing with a few overnighters. Getting a slip is a long waiting list, but we may get in next year. The price of a slip compared to trailering the boat, set up and take down each time we go out is our consideration. The marina is protected and is a safe harbor, located on Green Bay off of Lake Michigan. My wife's opinion is to get the 25 for now and maybe move up in time. She is, of couse, using common sense regarding cost of storage, launch and removable fees etc each year for a larger boat. College isn't cheap these days. I like the larger boat for the comfort and the amenities. I like the idea of a shake-down sail.

I will look at the boat info. New is nice but expensive.

Cheers,

John

 

[kenkindy1]

Lots of boats to look at

I have a 1998 H240 which is essentially the same hull as the new 25. My 240 is a water ballast model which has it's pluses and minuses. On the plus side it is easy to trailer, launch, retrieve, pull down the highway to new sailing destinations. I am on a resevoir in the middle of Indiana so to make longer sailing trips I need these features. On the negative side, the boat heels more than the new 25 does, There is very limited standing headroom, and the interior room is also not as big as a 30 foot.

As you're on Green Bay and have lots of water to explore you wouldn't need the positive features.

If I were in your postion I'd look to the bigger boat. No matter what boat you buy you'll want an even bigger one next summer. We call it 2 foot itis in the boating world.

Good luck.

Ken

 

[Capt John]

2ft itis

LOL, I see your point. I did look at the Hunter 260 and others here on advise. I do like the 260 and the prices for the used aren't bad. Less than a new 25, but a few more bells and whistles.

I'm 6ft and do like the extra head room of a larger boat. The wife and I don't see eye to eye (literally and figureatively-she is 5-4) so to her, the costs are driving the decision. Need to find a compromise somehow. Maybe the smaller one first, then bump up to the larger one in time. We've got time yet.

Thanks,

John

 

[George]

H25 vs H30

You are really talking apples and oranges here.

The new H25 replaces the H240 and is a relatively small trailerable boat ideal for week ends and daysailing. This is a small boat easy to single hand. Ideal for a family that wants a simple, easy to handle boat that you can tow with the family car and park in your back yard during the winter.

When you move up to a 30 foot boat you have lots more room but everything is bigger, costs more, and weighs more. Getting the boat in and out of the water is more complicated, sailing it requires more crew and unless you are very experienced, takes some skill to single hand. This is not normally a good choice for a first sailboat.

 

[Steve Dion]

If you are not going to trailer it.......

Capt. John:

If you do not plan on trailering the boat you should go with a used 30 vs the new 25.

The chances of keeping the 30 is much greater. If you cannot stand up to put your pants on in the morning that gets old fast. The larger boats are usually stiffer and easier to handle when it really starts blowing.

Depending on how you are setup, they are something easier overall than the smaller boats too.

You will end up with an inboard vs outboard too.

 

[MikeH]

My 2 cents

Hi Capt John,

From what I read of your posts, I hear: Costs are driving our decisions, headroom is desirable, sailed a little with friends, wife & me & daughter & friend doing mostly day sailing, slip with shore power, like the new H25.

I started sailing 32 years ago in very small (<18') boats and moved up to a 26 footer 5 years ago. I'm ready for a 30 footer now, and it'll happen someday. Five years ago my kids were in grade school, now they're older teenagers and bigger. We do day sailing and longer, 4-day island cruises, we have a marina slip, I'm 5'11" and my wife is shorter.

The differences between us are our years sailing and the age & size of our kids.

For a newer sailor a smaller boat is more manageable, and (like it or not) cheaper to maintain & repair. I'd suggest you look for a less expensive, older 26 or 27 footer with an outboard that is in decent shape from a long-time previous owner. Save the extra you would have spent on upgrades, or a future sailboat, or a college fund. I can almost guarantee you that the newer you are, the more fender-benders you'll have and you'll be happy you have an older boat that is more manageable if it's a little shorter.

One you have the feel of it you'll get the itch to go bigger as George says, but by then you'll know more and feel more confident about what you really want. Good luck!

http://homepage.mac.com/mikeharms/PhotoAlbum2.html

 

[reserche]

my "new" 31'

I bought a Hunter 31 this summer - awesome, awesome boat... experienced yacht brokers and others have said to me - many people think 31' is the ideal size. With 6 ' 3" of headroom, I really enjoy the comfort both inside and out. We took her out this weekend with the family who don't sail)- their assessment: "Amazing."
The cost of the slip and all - is expensive. But- would hauling a boat in and out of the water get old? Seems like you might use it less than if its right there, ready to go.

Just my two cents

 

[Capt John]

Got to agree

After a lot of reading, I have to agree with George and Mike (and my wife). There will be time to move up to a larger boat. I have looked a lot at the H260. It seems like a good compromise. A bit more extras, still trailerable, manageable and something I could use for quite some time. I have looked at the boats for sale here and at George's contibutions to the site. With each look, I find my self liking it more and more. The one in GA looks and sounds nice, but I have not received a reply about my inquiry. I have gotten a peak at a couple of others that look nice as well from some inquiries. For the price, I can get a well equipped fairly new H260 cheaper than the new H25.

I did get a call from the marina and should be offered a 30' slip in or about Feb 09 for the 2009 season. George, if you get to Menominee across the big pond send a shout out (shipwreck_4@yahoo.com or flittonj@mi.gov). I have a dream of a big sail across Lake Michigan to Traverse City. Been there a few times(drove) and love the wineries.

I'll keep trying to locate a H260.

Cheers,

John

 

[Steve Dion]

Sail one in 15kt winds before you buy!

Capt. John:

I suggest that you sail a water ballast boat in 15kts of wind before you purchase one. There are lots of good things to say about these trailerable boats, but they are very tender.

Your wife may not be your best friend any more if you scare the s--t out of her. The waters of Lake Michigan and beyond can be as bad as some oceans so be prepared.

 

[JoeWhite]

get a 30+

I have a Hunter 1984 25.5 Shoal keel that is trailerable with the trailer. Originally I thought I would tow it and set it up and go sailing. The amount of time that you need to set it up and specially take it down after an overnight sail when you are tired is not ideal. So I keep it set up in the water. I get on it just about every weekend. The cost and the risk of towing is not worth it. So get a permenant keel. You will have to learn how to handle the wind and dock it without placing a few scratches on it. The rest of it is fun. Water Balast heels too much. you will have to wait on the ramp for about 30 minuites for the water to drain before you can drive up to the parking lot. Other boaters want to get in and you are blocking their way. Get a 30 footer. I am getting ready to move up after 4 years.