Hunter Liberty/Minstrel- any good??

[sparkie]

I'm considering buying a Hunter Liberty or a Minstrel. Does anyone out there have experience of sailing/owning one (either) and could give an opinion on their performance?? The main attraction for me is the shallow draft and the fact that the lifting centre plate appears to be quite light. I have a drying mooring and my present keel weighs 750lb. Getting a bit much for her down below.

Any help/advice/contacts appreciated

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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[LeonF]

Sailing Today did an article on the boat and the various models a while ago..There is also an owners assoc with a good web site, mentioned in the article. Can't remember it off the top of my head but can look at my back issues if you wish me too. Rumoured to be an excellent boat, and a modified version has been transatlantic.

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[sparkie]

Thanks Leon,

I have looked at the ST web page and issue 33 apparently contains a used boat test on the Liberty, which I will order asap, I've also found the owners club web site and that has been v.useful.

Safe sailing

Sparkie




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[karlh]

Sparkie,

I have issue 33 and will send you copy of boat test if you wish.
I also sail a copland harrier 20 which i have owned since august this year.
do you know of any tests or any other sources of information on the harrier?

karlh

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[ditchcrawler]

I had a Minstrel for 3 years before I moved up to a larger boat(Hunter Pilot 27).A great fun boat & ideal for my area (East coast).I sailed her up & down the coast(Blackwater,Walton,Stour & Orwell,Crouch etc).The centreplate means you can float on a puddle as the rudder hinges up.I had a 5HP Honda on mine which is in a well & it does the job.As a gaff rigger(technically a sliding gunter) you get good downwind speed as you can let the main right out to the shrouds which are not angled back much due to the short mast..I had runners fitted for downwind blows but they are not really needed.It is easy to lower the mast & I towed her home for winters with a 2.9 Ford Scorpio.I sailed with others who had the Liberty which has twin unstayed masts & they sail well as they feather in a blow.One of the guys in the Association on the east coast sailed his to France(& back).They have a large separate loo for a 23ft boat,which surprises everyone.I would buy one again if I was looking for a small boat(which might happen).

 

[sparkie]

Karlh

Thanks for replyand kind offer. Unfortunately I have already ordered a copy of the test from ST. Typical!! I have an early test report of the Harrier from PBO but at the present moment can't put my hand on it- it's here somewhere! What I do have if of interest is some original sales literature, which I'm happy to copy for you. If you let me have your address by private e-mail I'll send you copies, in the meanwhile I'll continue to search for the test report.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

 

[sparkie]

Ditchcrawler,

Thanks for the reply, +very interesting and informative. How did your boat and the Libertys in your fleet perform to windward? I seem to do a lot of windward sailing in the Irish Sea, sometimes on all three legs of a triangular course! Also, was she fairly stiff in a blow? I've seen reference to them being a bit tender.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

 

[ditchcrawler]

The Minstrel prefers to sail free & does not point all that high.I fitted reefing lines back to the cockpit & reefed early.Both Liberty & Minstrel have the majority of ballast in the bottom floor & the centreboard is not very heavy so they are more tender than a fin keeler.I never found it a problem as I am a cautious sailor.I sailed the Minstrel in a F5/6 downwind but upwind this was too much.

 

[sparkie]

Thanks Ditchcrawler, there is one Liberty in our harbour already, now you've said that I think it's time I made his aquaintance and see how he fares in a Cardigan Bay blow before committing myself.

Thanks once again

Safe sailing

Sparkie