Boat recommendation - 26ft or less

[LiftyK]

When sailing in company with similar boats to mine, I see quite a variety in how to cope with a stiff wind. Some choose to leave up full sails and cling on. I prefer to reef early, happily going for a third reef without hesitation when conditions merit it.

I‘m always surprised to see how my well-reefed boat frequently keeps up with those on their ear. Alas, many (not all) skippers who enjoy sailing their boat on its ear end up sailing solo as their partners then refuse to join them onboard.

In short, I encourage you to reef early and keep the peace. In addition, sailing under genoa alone in strong winds, where possible, is appreciated by nervous crew. A well prepared relatively small boat can still deliver a settling passag during a blow.

 

[andyb28]

If you're wife is not happy with the tilt how about getting a Catamaran?
Worked for my wife.

She is quite happy in the Sealine gin palace

 

[Jim@sea]

Hi Everyone,

I have been a bit round the houses with boats and could really do with some good advice from you.

For just over a year, I owned a Hunter Legend 290. It was a great boat in some respects and I had hoped to get my family into sailing with me. Prior to buying the Legend, I had been learning in a dinghy and still have one now (its a Gull).
Sadly, I had a couple of bad experiences with the boat. The main one being my wife gets scared of the boat heeling over and it got to the point she refused to get on the boat.

A local broker sold my Legend very quickly. 1 week!
After a lot of discussion, we decided to go back to a motor boat and now have a Sealine, which everyone is happy about in the family as it has more room, is easy to go places and most importantly, my wife feels safe.

It's left me with just the Gull if I want to progress with my sailing. I didnt think I would be all that bothered. But I now think I need to consider a smallish yacht that I can take out on my own either day sailing or occasional weekends. This would be ideal in the winter as the Sealine will be out of the water.

I am looking for something easy and forgiving for cruising (no racing). Would prefer twin / bilge keel and it made me go back through some of the boats I looked at prior to getting the Legend. Top of my list is probably a Hunter Ranger/Channel 245/26 or maybe an older Sadler 26.
There are lots of creeks / shallow bits to explore around here and so I dont want anything which needs a lot of water.
Any thoughts on those two boats?
Any others worth considering?

Edit: Needs to have a Sea Toilet, no porta pottis as there is no where to empty them.

Hi Everyone,

I have been a bit round the houses with boats and could really do with some good advice from you.

For just over a year, I owned a Hunter Legend 290. It was a great boat in some respects and I had hoped to get my family into sailing with me. Prior to buying the Legend, I had been learning in a dinghy and still have one now (its a Gull).
Sadly, I had a couple of bad experiences with the boat. The main one being my wife gets scared of the boat heeling over and it got to the point she refused to get on the boat.

A local broker sold my Legend very quickly. 1 week!
After a lot of discussion, we decided to go back to a motor boat and now have a Sealine, which everyone is happy about in the family as it has more room, is easy to go places and most importantly, my wife feels safe.

It's left me with just the Gull if I want to progress with my sailing. I didnt think I would be all that bothered. But I now think I need to consider a smallish yacht that I can take out on my own either day sailing or occasional weekends. This would be ideal in the winter as the Sealine will be out of the water.

I am looking for something easy and forgiving for cruising (no racing). Would prefer twin / bilge keel and it made me go back through some of the boats I looked at prior to getting the Legend. Top of my list is probably a Hunter Ranger/Channel 245/26 or maybe an older Sadler 26.
There are lots of creeks / shallow bits to explore around here and so I dont want anything which needs a lot of water.
Any thoughts on those two boats?
Any others worth considering?

Edit: Needs to have a Sea Toilet, no porta pottis as there is no where to empty them.

Yes you really have to know how to sail the smaller Hunter Legends (which is not a bad thing) On the Hunter Legend 240 we have it does lean over a lot, mind you its fast. I want to fit navigation instruments so I can see at what angle of lean it is the fastest as I am assuming that having it leaned over so the keel is nearly out of the water is not they best angle of heel.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Hi Everyone,

I have been a bit round the houses with boats and could really do with some good advice from you.

For just over a year, I owned a Hunter Legend 290. It was a great boat in some respects and I had hoped to get my family into sailing with me. Prior to buying the Legend, I had been learning in a dinghy and still have one now (its a Gull).
Sadly, I had a couple of bad experiences with the boat. The main one being my wife gets scared of the boat heeling over and it got to the point she refused to get on the boat.

A local broker sold my Legend very quickly. 1 week!
After a lot of discussion, we decided to go back to a motor boat and now have a Sealine, which everyone is happy about in the family as it has more room, is easy to go places and most importantly, my wife feels safe.

It's left me with just the Gull if I want to progress with my sailing. I didnt think I would be all that bothered. But I now think I need to consider a smallish yacht that I can take out on my own either day sailing or occasional weekends. This would be ideal in the winter as the Sealine will be out of the water.

I am looking for something easy and forgiving for cruising (no racing). Would prefer twin / bilge keel and it made me go back through some of the boats I looked at prior to getting the Legend. Top of my list is probably a Hunter Ranger/Channel 245/26 or maybe an older Sadler 26.
There are lots of creeks / shallow bits to explore around here and so I dont want anything which needs a lot of water.
Any thoughts on those two boats?
Any others worth considering?

Edit: Needs to have a Sea Toilet, no porta pottis as there is no where to empty them.

The current (October) issue of PBO has a comprehensive article on smaller cruisers. It might just have the info you are looking for.

 

[James_Calvert]

The current (October) issue of PBO has a comprehensive article on smaller cruisers. It might just have the info you are looking for.

Who on earth chose the pic of the Corribee?

 

[JimC]

Yes you really have to know how to sail the smaller Hunter Legends (which is not a bad thing) On the Hunter Legend 240 we have it does lean over a lot, mind you its fast. I want to fit navigation instruments so I can see at what angle of lean it is the fastest as I am assuming that having it leaned over so the keel is nearly out of the water is not they best angle of heel.

The boat recommended in earlier posts is a British Hunter not a Hunter Legend..

 

[ianat182]

A possible contender that might suit your requirements is the HAWK 20, they were/are quite an expensive yacht/dinghy compared to say a Wayfarer, or the Hunter Delta and Sonatas family.
There are two I see on the River Hamble , afloat on moorings. Have admired their appearance but don't see them very often so not probably racers.
Might be worth a check with Google for any for sale and their details.

ianat182

 

[Hacker]

I will put a Cornish Crabber 26 into the mix. Solidly built and draws 0.9m with the keel up. 6ft headroom with proper sea toilet. They aren’t cheap but hold their value well.

 

[andyb28]

A possible contender that might suit your requirements is the HAWK 20, they were/are quite an expensive yacht/dinghy compared to say a Wayfarer, or the Hunter Delta and Sonatas family.
There are two I see on the River Hamble , afloat on moorings. Have admired their appearance but don't see them very often so not probably racers.
Might be worth a check with Google for any for sale and their details.

ianat182

I would love a Hawk 20 Cabin, however, they are very hard to find for sale. I have spent hours trying to find one as I wanted one instead of the Gull.