why choose a hunter 260

[sigoks]

I'm looking to buy a sailboat and have narrowed down my choices. The 260 is one of those choices. My only problem is that I am in Iraq for the next few months and can't go check one out in person yet. I've done a lot of looking online but a few details are difficult to find out. I figured this forum might be a good place to get some information. One thing I'm looking at is headroom in the main cabin. How much is there with the hatch down and with it up? How long is the V-berth? This is important, because I'm tall. I have not found a good picture online that shows the entire head to include the floor. I'm looking at the Water ballast version? Is there a bilge under the floor and if so can standing water in the head drain into it? Does the trailer come with a mast raising system that makes it easy when short handed? Did the boat motor usually come with a electric ignition and raising/lowering? How tender is the boat in a 20knot wind? Well, that should do it for now. My other option would be a catalina 250. The hunter looks like it has more room though, so any info you can give would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Pat Hooyman]

Check out this sites owner reviews - there are a lot of them for the H 26

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/ind...=15&Itemid=170

And for the H 260

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/ind...=20&Itemid=170

 

[Steve Dion]

You will want a double reef in 20kts of wind.

I don't know if these WB boats are going to be much different regardless of the mfg.

Do you need a trailerable boat? If not, you can find a lot of options that may serve you better. Where are you going to be sailing?

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Robert,
Let me take one question at a time.
There is about 5' 6" clearance at the stove with the hatch down and about 7' clearance with it up. This allows you to cook in comfort.

The table swings around to the sleep position and that extra cushion adds to the V-berth making it about 6' long. This is not the primary bunk. The 'master' bunk under the cockpit is the full beam of the boat, 8' 11".

No bilge under the floor. The water ballast tank is there instead. The floor of the head and the floor of the cabin are one piece. Any water that gets in this area has nowhere to go and must be sponged up. Due to chronic rain leaks water will end up here until you do the various improvements to prevent the leaks.

The mast raising system is part of the boat, not the trailer. It is straight forward for two people. More difficult for one. I never do it alone myself.

This class of boat is not designed for heavy weather. Do not consider it if you are concerned about how it handles in 20 knots of wind. I am very comfortable with sailing the H260 with the main reefed. 20 knots is right at the point where I decide to stay in my slip. It's not more tender with greater wind.

The motor mount is not the lifting type. The ease of tilting the motor will depend on the manufacture. Since all motors are under 15 hp, it is a manual process to tilt it into the 'out of water' position. My Mercury is no problem to tilt manually. Most dealers did install motors with electric start and remote controls for the H260.

I hope that helps.

 

[sharkdive1]

Another great place for info is this site http://kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html.

 

[George H260]

After spending time with the H260 website at http//h260.com most of your questions will be answered. Feel free to contact the H260 users who frequent this forum. We're a friendly bunch and always willing to help.

Be safe and thank you for serving your country

George USAF retired

 

[hoganc]

You will love it

headroom in the main cabin
I am only 5-10 but I still have to walk around with my head bent over with the hatch down. When I am anchored out, I usually open the hatch and I have a cover that keeps the rain and wind out. Cooking etc. is easy this way.
I reef around 12-15 which keeps things more in order. I still find the rudder is a little less effective than I wish for.

 

[Rick Webb]

I looked at the Catalina

Two things made me buy my 23.5 (though I wish I had the 26 just for the enclosed head)

I thought my 23.5 was larger inside and had a larger cockpit maybe an illusion but it was a very strong impresion.

The mast raising system on the Catalina only works on the trailer on the Hunteryou can do it either way.