The Hunter....if
I learned to sail this year on a Hunter 23.5 water balast I bought earlier this year. I liked the boat a lot but everyone I met ran the boat down as being too tender, etc. My wife got frightened the first time we took it out and the boat never recovered her confidence. (Our relationship is just fine, thank you.) I just bought a Catalina 250 and have my smaller Hunter for sale. I like the Hunter better because it is easier to sail. The 250 has weather helm problems, to me. The 250 does not have the room inside that the Hunter has and it is not as wide. I am convinced that Catalina makes a slightly better quality boat. The price of the Catalina will probably hold up better. My question mark above "if" is there because I am comparing my 23.5 and you asked about the 26. I think you will find a great deal more information on the 26 on the Hunter Owners Web site than you will find on the 250 on this or other sites. Hunter owners may just have more trouble or more to say, I don't know. Based on my experience, I would rather have the Hunter 26 but I am satisfied with my 250. Hope this helps some. John
