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My local Catalina dealer just sent me an email, informing me of a 1997 Hunter 280 for sale, <u>with trailer</u>, diesel, AC and heat, and more. I haven't seen the boat, but from the photos, it looks pretty nice. I checked Yachtworld before posting this notice, and the asking price seems to be well below the average being asked for that model and approximate age.
I have no connection with the dealer or owner of the boat, and no other interest in it, but am passing the info along in case anyone is interested. It might be a good buy for someone. The price indicated in the following link is $36,995., but in the email that they sent me, the price has been reduced to $31,995.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Steve Blackburn</i> <br />Hunters are that bad are they? Seriously.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It all depends on what you think of the B&R Rig... After helping a guy dismantle his after it all came down on his deck, I got a bad taste for it (and the Coors-can mast extrusion). Seriously. I don't see the big advantage of no backstay, except being able to have a huge roach. (No Frank, not that kind!)
Other than that, over the years, every size of Catalina seemed to have higher quality components, better construction and workmanship, and a more timeless look. But I'm just an old curmudgeon.
For many years, Catalinas were widely thought to be poorly built. Even now, many sailors (who, in my opinion, don't know any better) consider them the bottom of the heap of production boats. For that reason, I disregard most dockside opinions about boats.
When it comes to choosing a sailboat, it's all about your intended use. I wouldn't choose a Hunter 280 to cross an ocean, but it would be fine for bay or lake sailing. Take a look at some photos of a Hunter 280 on yachtworld. It has a gorgeous interior layout. The equipment list for that boat is staggering. If it has only been sailed in the Cincinnati area since new, it probably hasn't been sailed hard in harsh conditions, and the engine hours are probably very low. If someone buys it to take to the east coast or elsewhere, it has a trailer, and should be do-able. The asking price, with trailer, is well below the average price of a Hunter 280 of a similar vintage, without trailer.
It seems like a good opportunity for someone to get a good buy. Not me. I have a boat.
I have never owned a Hunter but I did look at the photos of that 280. It is a sweet looking boat. I really like that transom design. With a trailer and loaded with equipment it will be a very nice buy for someone.
I believe we sailors are often too fixated with our own manufacturer and model. On one hand I guess it is good to be proud of your boat but on another level it seems sort of silly. None of these boats - C25, C250, Capri, and that Hunter 280 or a 260 - are made for ocean work or other heavy duty sailing. They are intended for lake and bay and close coastal sailing and, I suspect, they are all quite capable of it. IMHO it is a Ford vs Chevy thing.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Dave Bristle</i> <br />Jeez, Frank--that's about 76 times you've mentioned the 272... When're you gonna just do it?? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> If, If, If; it would be a miracle for me to cross paths with one on a trailer and as nice as my Catalina 25. If I did I would. Anyone live close to Strictly Sail who could look at that boat for me? If it were really nice I would be interested.
I just looked up the specs for the Hunter 280, and what I see makes me question the advertisement about this boat being sold with a trailer. The H-280 has a 9'-6" beam, and If I am not mistaken, a load of that width requires a "chase car", in addition to a wide load permit, and the driver of the tow vehicle would have to have a Class "A" license. I wonder if the trailer shown in the ad is just a yard storage trailer?
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by lcharlot</i> <br />I just looked up the specs for the Hunter 280, and what I see makes me question the advertisement about this boat being sold with a trailer. The H-280 has a 9'-6" beam, and If I am not mistaken, a load of that width requires a "chase car", in addition to a wide load permit, and the driver of the tow vehicle would have to have a Class "A" license. I wonder if the trailer shown in the ad is just a yard storage trailer? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> The largest trailer you can legally pull without doing anything special, according to the US DOT, is 8'-6". If the width is greater than that, the states are allowed to adopt their own regulations, and you have to check with each state to find out what their regulations are, although I believe most of them follow the same general guidelines. Without having checked all the state laws, I believe you can usually go up to 10'-0" without a chase car, if you put a wide load sign on the front of the truck & rear of the trailer. If it's wider than 10'-0", you'll need signs and a chase car with strobe lights.
I just re-checked to be sure, and the email that I received from the dealer said, in large, bold type, that the trailer is included for that price.
I hired a commerciat boat transport company to haul my Ericson 32 from Florida to Knoxville. It's 10'4" wide. He used wide load signs, a flasher, but no chase car. The hauling rate came out to a little over 4 bucks a mile one way. I'm sure with the price of fuel now, add a buck at least.
I've never had the greatest opinion of Hunters but on Monday I had a guy approach me and asked if I would consider a trade for his [url="http://www.marinesource.com/buyerslistings/photodetails.cfm?ListingNmb=10521814706"]1983 Hunter 34[/url]. His family has grown and he wants to move down a bit. Holy crap is that a nice cabin! I read at least 20 owner reviews and every one except one said they'd buy it again. The general consensus is it's a tender sailer, 34 feet with a 52 foot mast, so reef early, but a fast boat that points well. Maybe a little under powered (22 horse)but remedied by the addition of a 3 blade prop. It's got me thinking for sure.
Dave, I'm pretty sure the 1983 Hunter was Cherubini designed, and, if so, they are very well respected boats. That looks like a nice one. I raced against a 27 footer of that vintage, and it was fast.
That H-34 appears to have no relationship to today's Hunters--no B&R rig, a split backstay, nice lines (almost an IOR hull)... a little like a Swan! I think we can approve. What's the engine?
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">OMG I'm looking at this one in a boat yard just down the road from my marina: 44' Cascade Cutter $13,000 Just another 60k and it would be a heck af a nice boat. What do you think? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think I'd end up single if I took on a project like that!
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">44' Cascade Cutter $13,000 Just another 60k and it would be a heck af a nice boat. What do you think? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> I think I'd like it to have a keel. Is that what the additional $60K is for?
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.