Hunter Horizon 26 versus MG Spring 25

Fire99

Fire99

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Evening everyone,

I know these boats have had a bit of discussion independently but I'm interested if anyone can pass any comparisons between the two. They're both within 1ft of length of each other. They're the same width. They're within 100lbs of weight and their internal layout is extremely similar.

MG goes for a wing keel and dual rudders, Hunter has twin 'fin' and a single transom hung rudder. Hunter has more ballast and the MG has a larger sail area.

So there are the stats. Has anyone experienced both?

Rather interested in these two oddies.

thanks,

Nick
 
I have sailed a Horizon 27 ( which went quite well ) and alongside club 26's, only alongside Springs.

The Horizon is much more conventional.

It will also take the ground regularly, which I wouldn't fancy with a Spring; both for the loading on the splayed rudders and the fact that when - not if - a wing of the keel digs in it could mean big problems.

If you use a marina and want the last inch of performance ( of the two ), + stripes, the Spring might be for you.

I'd go for the Horizon without hesitation.
 
I had a Hunter 27 for several years. They are good tough boats, I had no problem on my drying mooring but due to the speed of the flood tide at my mooring I did convert to a fore and aft mooring after a few months swinging.
In breezy weather it was a very lively boat needing constant attention and would round-up for fun. I tried all combinations of reefing, I checked and played around with different mast rake's etc. but with little success.
I eventually bought a new main sail which did helped a little but not as much as I had hoped it would.
When it did round-up the rudder would cavitate and loose it's grip.
I used to sail it with the main sheet in one hand and the tiller in the other like a dinghy ready to dump the power.
This may have been totally down to my sailing but I don't think so.:rolleyes:
It was also very manoeuvrable under engine in forward and reverse.

The boat I have now is bigger and heavier, has twin rudders and is totally different to sail, and is much more stable and controllable when the wind picks up , it doesn't have a tendency to round up and tracks very well in a straight line but at slow speed in a tight spot with no prop wash over the rudders is a pain.
I have never sailed in a MG Spring.

Just something to think about.

Pete
 
Pete,

that's interesting; when I sailed the Horizon 27 it was on a test ( with view to buying one ) with Peter Poland; it was quite breezy, but I don't remember it rounding up, as that would have upset me a little.

Could well just be my memory giving up though ! Genuine question, did you play with mast rake ?
 
Fire99 said:
Evening everyone,

I know these boats have had a bit of discussion independently but I'm interested if anyone can pass any comparisons between the two. They're both within 1ft of length of each other. They're the same width. They're within 100lbs of weight and their internal layout is extremely similar.

MG goes for a wing keel and dual rudders, Hunter has twin 'fin' and a single transom hung rudder. Hunter has more ballast and the MG has a larger sail area.

So there are the stats. Has anyone experienced both?

Rather interested in these two oddies.

thanks,

Nick
Click to expand...

Wiggy of this parish had some positive comments to make on another thread about the MG25.......... I believe he was actually an owner rather than a prejudiced observer.

Just do a search on MG Spring 25 and you will see what I mean:rolleyes:
 
I take it you are as usual trying and failing to have a go at me...

I have been fair on the Spring in saying it has the edge on performance, now take my argument re drying out; if you look at the keel footprint - and tipping the boat right over if a wing digs in - and splayed rudders do you consider that a good idea for drying out on other than an ideal seabed ?

Lots of different designs on the soft mud drying moorings at my club inc Horizon 26 & 27 but no-one has even bothered to try a Spring...
 
Seajet said:
Pete,

that's interesting; when I sailed the Horizon 27 it was on a test ( with view to buying one ) with Peter Poland; it was quite breezy, but I don't remember it rounding up, as that would have upset me a little.

Could well just be my memory giving up though ! Genuine question, did you play with mast rake ?
Click to expand...

Yes I did, as stated in my post above. I also contacted Hunter about this, they suggested the main sail was probably a bit baggy and not to over sheet it. It did looked OK to me and others at the club.
Even with the new main sail it did not stop the rounding up very much when it got a bit windy. Other sailors on-board with me have agreed with me on this.
There were 2 reefs in the main that were often used with the adjustable backstay, outhaul and the roller reefing genoa.

Don't get me wrong I am not slagging the boat off I did like the boat in all other respects but it could be a handful when the wind got up and the tiller and mainsheet needing constant attention as the auto-helm could not cope.

pete
 
Thanks guys for the 'mostly' constructive comments.

I did read (and contribute) to a previous thread about the MG so please let's not turn this into a slanging match. I know some love them and other's much less so.

I'm not concerned about regular drying since my mooring though a 'swing', is afloat 24/7, regardless of tides.

Broadening this out a little, I'll explain the scenario. My boats live on the river Blackwater which, being the East Coast, is a challenge for Fin Keelers so I'm looking at Bilge / Wing / Lifting Keels. My current Snappie, though I can sail it like a 23ft dinghy is cramped inside and a challenge to make good pace at all points of sail.
I'm looking for something with comfortable sleeping for two and comfortable entertaining for four and more cruiser / racer, rather than something too relaxed.

So the Hunter / MG may be a little small inside for me but seem quite fun to sail but would be interested if they're very different to sail from eachother, since their stats. are very similar. Obviously if there are other options I've overlooked in the sub £15k sector, I'd be interested to hear.

Ta :)
But I want a boat which is more racer/cruiser rather than a strictly
 
Fire99,

reading your requirements, how about;

Anderson 26

Evasion 25 / 26

Etap 26

Centaur

Griffin

Merlin 28 ?

Seawolf 26 twin keel

Sadler 26 twin keel ?

Just a few thoughts, ? = unsure if within budget !

Of these, personally I'd probably go for the Seawolf 26, a chum has one and it seems a good boat.
 
Fire99 said:
Broadening this out a little, I'll explain the scenario. My boats live on the river Blackwater which, being the East Coast, is a challenge for Fin Keelers so I'm looking at Bilge / Wing / Lifting Keels. My current Snappie, though I can sail it like a 23ft dinghy is cramped inside and a challenge to make good pace at all points of sail.
I'm looking for something with comfortable sleeping for two and comfortable entertaining for four and more cruiser / racer, rather than something too relaxed.

S Obviously if there are other options I've overlooked in the sub £15k sector, I'd be interested to hear.

Ta :)
But I want a boat which is more racer/cruiser rather than a strictly
Click to expand...

Looking on Apollo Duck Lifters for sale under 15 k and more than 24 foot that fit the cruiser racer category would be
Evo 26 Anyone?
http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=291157

Seal 28?
http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=314169

and of course my favorite
http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=325241

But mine would come with a trailer!
 
Fire99 said:
Thanks for the suggestions but I've never heard of these two being classed as Cruiser/Racers. The Centaur in particular is far too staid for me I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

The Contessa 27, that became the MGC27 may be worth a look.

Available with a few keel options.

I have raced against a couple of the locally and they perform well on the water and would be available in-budget.
 
We had a Hunter 26, No problems kept it for a few years and she held her value well. We looked at the Spring, Fantasia 27, Gibsea 76 and MG27 and brought the Hunter. All were very similar but the Hunter had the edge for us.
 
bendyone said:
We had a Hunter 26, No problems kept it for a few years and she held her value well. We looked at the Spring, Fantasia 27, Gibsea 76 and MG27 and brought the Hunter. All were very similar but the Hunter had the edge for us.
Click to expand...

That's really interesting.. What may I ask, swung you towards the Hunter from the others?
 
We found the right one for sale in the right place, dismissed the Spring because of the slopping side decks, the Gibsea because of the headroom the MG because we only looked at one. We would have been happy with the Fantasia but the Hunter was right at the time.
 
bendyone said:
We found the right one for sale in the right place, dismissed the Spring because of the slopping side decks, the Gibsea because of the headroom the MG because we only looked at one. We would have been happy with the Fantasia but the Hunter was right at the time.
Click to expand...

Good stuff.. Did you enjoy owning her?
 
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