Wot, no views on Hunters? Help.

[rex_seadog]

Amazed there's no response to my post last Friday (21 Feb) on buying a Hunter Horizon 26. This forum inevitably has an opinion and helpful advice on even the most obscure topics (even how to fit PVC soffit boards) but nothing on the product of one of the few British volume yacht builders still in existence. Maybe not as common as the ubiquitous Centaur but there must be someone who has/had or knows someone who has/had a Horizon. Not even a dickie bird from the recently formed Yahoo Horizon forum. Perhaps I have caused offence by sailing with my fenders down.
Now if I suggested buying a Bav, Bev, Jen ...............

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[Trevor_swfyc]

If I cannot say anything positive then best say nothing, maybe others have the same approach.

Trevor

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[rex_seadog]

Eureka - a reply. Many thanks Trevor. But if there are only negatives better to hear them now rather than after parting with the readies.

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[byron]

<font color=blue>Maybe there are too many of us Stinkpotters here who can offer no useful advice /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Go on... ask a question about a Stinky just to see.

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[aod]

The horzon 26 is a cracking boat, fast, safe and well made. They used to be made at Rochford in Essex and there are quite a few on the East Coast.
I personaly have never heard anything negative about them other than they were expensive when compared against other comparable boats on the market.

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[MADFISH]

Wow. Sorry. Missed that post.

I have a Horizon 26. Great boat. What do you want to know?

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[steve_cronin]

Hunters are booring.......

..well that is if you like moaning because there is nothing to moan about!

We owned a Hunter Horizon 30 for 7 years from new. I have to tell you that Hunter Boats under the helmsmanship of Peter Poland is as good a builder as you could wish to meet. That boat went everywhere along both sides of the Channel with not one moments doubt on our part. It was constructed to the highest standards and when she was surveyed prior to our passing her on to her new owners (who came sailing with us in Greece on our new boat last year), the surveyor, Jim Pritchard found absolutely NO faults* and commented on her condition as a 7 year old. Andy & Brenda the new owners constantly get compliments lavished on the boat and offers to purchase. Wonderful boat. There were several Hunters on our pontoon at Port Hamble and all the owners were entirely happy with their purchase*. One, a 27, even got dropped by the boat hoist at Hamble Point onto concrete but following minor repairs was back in commission soon.

In short, as far as I'm concerned, you won't get as good a 26ft sailing boat for your money ANYWHERE else* so if you don't buy you aren't as serious as you say you are (IMO of course - free world)

Sorry I didn't spot your post earlier.

Steve Cronin

* minor niggles excepted of course

 

[warrior40]

Again..

I think that if you do a search you will find that this Q re hunter has come up time and again, hence thats why no response!1

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[MADFISH]

Quick rundown then.

Pros

Go upwind in a bit of breeze like no other bilge keeler of her length.
Built very well. (Some home finishes are a bit rough but nothing serious).
All epoxied from new. Osmosis problems very rare.
Saloon is a fantastic size. I have had 9 people sat down drinking on a rainy day!
Expect about 5 knots upwind, 5 - 6.5 on a reach and motors nicely at 5 - 5.2 knots with inboard. (Topped out at 9.1 knots with the kite up once!)
Sail areas - 152 sq ft genoa 154 sq ft main.

Cons

Can carry quite alot of weather helm sometimes
Dosn't go too well in light airs
Aft cabin a little on the small size
Forward bunk too small for a double
lack of clothes stowage space


This do?


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[ruff_n_tumble]

Hunters are: quick (in the right hands of course), solidly built, good in a blow, easy to sail, manoeuverable in tight corners, bright and airy below. They do only sleep 4 in comfort though, and that with an extension to the forepeak berth.

<hr width=100% size=1>Steve Marsh
Hunter 27 OOD "Ruff-n-Tumble"
Gosport

 

[david_e]

Re: Hunters

Most have said what needs to be said about the boat.

From a buying perspective, have you demo sailed one yet, worth doing if going from fin to bilge keel. Have you got the copy tests from the mags.

Hunter offer the option of home build, worth investigating the history of the boat and if home built get a comprehensive survey done and allow for the that fact in the price and future re-sale.

I would imagine they are great boats, when we were looking, the equivalent to our bennytoe is half as much again so was out of reach.

You better let us know how you get on - especially after all this fuss!!)

Good luck.



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[graham]

Re: Hunters

There was a bloke assisting on hunters stand at the London boatshow last year. I got talking and he rents out various hunters on the Shannon .

Could be worth the expense of going over and renting one for a few days sailing.The proof of the pudding and all that.

Hunters should be able to give you his details as he obviously has connections with them.

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[rex_seadog]

Re: Hunters

Well what can I say. Thanks for the big response - all is noted. (Hope all the favourable posts don't come from the vendor and his mates). I knew you'd come up with the goods with a bit of prompting. My main dilemma is whether it's is worth all the expense and hassle in moving up from the Delta (with which I've been very happy and have, after 5 years, got it just how I want it) for a little more room and home comforts on the Horizon. Was relying on my Abbey Nat. shares to fund the change!
PS Hope I don't get dragged into a libel action. I see both posts have been pulled.

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[david_e]

Re: Hunters

Is it not a more sea kindly boat than the Delta? That would be another obvious benefit.

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[Guest]

Re: Hunters

Had a bilge keel 26 for 7 years. I agree with all the others who say Hunter is a good firm to deal with, and my boat surveyed very well when eventually it was sold. I enjoyed sailing it.

Only adverse comments I would make are 1/ dont buy one with an outboard in the well - much better to buy a diesel engined boat. And 2/ the 26 bilge is not partic good upwind in a blow because it is a bit tender and inclined to round up. So you find that if you have enough sail up to overcome the hull windage, you heel and round up. Not enough sail, and you dont make progress. So in more than 20 knots I found myself motorsailing which is when it pays to have the diesel. No great problem really.

Overall - Good boats.

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[Guest]

Re: Hunters

And in case Mr Hunter is reading this - I would definitely buy another boat from them if they would get their act together and produce a decent 34 ft catamaran

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[tadpole]

Wrong Hunters?

I suspect you must be thinking of the 'other' Hunters from them lot across the pond. )

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