Hunter 701 and Sprinta Sport

[Haguesail]

A sailing colleague and I are looking at sharing a low cost day-sailor/dual handed boat and have narrowed down to a Hunter 701 and a Sprinta that are reasonably local (in Holland). Trailing candidates are a Westerly GK24 (too slow in light conditions?) and a Trapper 300. Criteria are price, condition, ease of use, safety in a stink (knocked out several others in this class) and ability to sail to rating. Would appreciate comments, especially on the 701 as it is hard to find much info on the web, also looking for rig measurments and recommendations for 701 mainsail.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Tam_Hazan]

Try Hunters Owners Association.

They have a website and can often put you in touch with other 701 sailors. Annual subs are quite low, and definitely worth it for the links and associated information available.
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[Haguesail]

I ended up buying the Trapper 300,"Den Doolerd" (the Wanderer) pretty much for a song as the owner, or more specifically his SWMBO, wanted it and all the gear and sails in the house gone. It was easily the best combination of performance, accomodations and price in a 26-foot package. Hell of a buyers market out there.

Spent the last few months bringing back to scratch and had her out the first time last weekend. Great little boat, all lines aft and easy to singlehand. Getting her an ORC certificate and a few sails upgraded (via Chris at Ullmann/Portsmouth, who seems to know most of the Trapper fleet there), should make a quick and easy Wednesday night racer this season. We have few other old 1/4 tonners in the series so we should also have some competition after the big boats have pulled away. Also nice not to have to worry about a finding lot of crew.

Chris

 

[Lakesailor]

It's nice when someone reports back on progress.

 

[Haguesail]

As a further update, I have the boat sorted out now and results are improving in the Wednesday races. The new Ullman main (Portsmouth loft, they do many of the Trapper 300s) made a big improvement, and I am waiting on a new #1. Managed 4th out of 11 and 9th out of 14 in the last two (on SW rating), sailing solo, and also regularly beat a few of the bigger boats back to the line. The Trapper is a lot of fun and easily managed solo, unless I get hasty with the spinnaker and make a loud (sail and me) and unattractive mess up front. There is also useful posted information and support from the owners association, and I better understand now why they are evangelical about this little boat.

Chris