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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Sloop smitten by Hunter help!

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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2010 : 12:24:55

Took a tour on a well priced 2001 Hunter 290. Considering trading up. Is this a bad idea?

97 Catalina 250 TR/ WK
Hull #301
Attleboro, MA

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2010 : 13:05:26

I guess that depends on what "well priced" means. I did a quick Yachtworld search to take a look. Did it only have 2 production years? I only saw '00 &'01 models listed. That limited production sends a red flag my way. If they're all that great, why did they stop making them. It's not like the company went out of business. Maybe overpriced for the product

Maybe not good value for dollar? Don't know but these are my first questions. In the same price range as the 290,(around $40k) I found 12 Catalinas in New England ranging from a 36 to a 30. Granted they are older boats but they are also a lot more boat. IMHO

Edited by - John Russell on 03/29/2010 13:06:01

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2010 : 19:20:54

What other boats in that size/price range have you toured or sailed on? What appeals to you about the Hunter vs. the others? For me, the answer is "nothing", but that's just my taste. Do your homework--the bigger they get, the harder it is to undo a mistake.

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triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2010 : 20:15:04

It's a step in size. That's a start. Is there a Catalina around in the same size, a 30 or 309? It will be better built, although I have appreciated Hunter's willingness to deal with their weak points and to do better in later builds. The 260 is an example where they bit the bullet and repaired hull leaks at the keel.

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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 11:16:51

I like the separate and roomy for and aft cabins of the H 290. The galley and head seem quite functional. Yanmar makes a good engine and the arch, though ugly, would clear cockpit clutter. Also like the fit and finish down below.

Looked at the C30's and do not like the interior very much. It's beamy but the aft berth is actually smaller than the one in the C250. Love the C309 but its too expensive. The C28 is too small to warrant the extra cost.

My 250 is great for day sailing or an overnighter, but for a family of five it's a little tight for extended coastal sailing.

Anyway I will probably have to wait another year before an upgrade. With this weather it's hard not to be an armchair sailor.

Edited by - on

triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 18:40:47

Are you getting swamped out there? We are over our flood, and getting ready for a good year. Ice is still on lakes, but it will be off early this year.

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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 05:13:36

Lot's of friends had flooded basements. Stores ran out of pumps and wet-vacs. Looking forward to the nice whether tomorrow and Friday.

Vern

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 05:36:33

An [url="http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/14180"]Oday 28[/url] is a beautiful boat! The one linked is a bit expensive but I'll bet you can find one for less. Tom Potter got me looking at this boat when he bought one and I'll tell you what, a lot of cabin, a lot of deck, pretty boat, proven design.

Wow, check out this [url="http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/16628"]Oday 30[/url] for $17,900 in Mystic! I want one!

Edited by - DaveR on 03/31/2010 05:57:42

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 05:46:38

It's always good to solicit the thoughts of others, but ultimately the decision is yours as to which boat is right for you. You know, far better than we, your lifestyle and your tastes. Buy the boat that appeals to you, meets your needs and inspires your sense of adventure, and you're likely to be happy with it.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 06:16:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 An [url="http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/14180"]Oday 28[/url] is a beautiful boat! The one linked is a bit expensive but I'll bet you can find one for less. Tom Potter got me looking at this boat when he bought one and I'll tell you what, a lot of cabin, a lot of deck, pretty boat, proven design.

Wow, check out this [url="http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/16628"]Oday 30[/url] for $17,900 in Mystic! I want one!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

O'Day's are pretty, but no longer in production, and after watching one sink, I'm not sure I would run out and buy one. FWIW before the O'day sank, a Pearson hit th esame shoal in th esame race, and fater pounding the rocks for 20 minutes or so got away with no damage. In a similar hit at another spot, our boat got away with needing the leading edge of the keel re-encapsulated.

The O'day's keel separated from the bottom of the boat, sinking it in about 3 minutes. O'day just isn't on my list any more.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 06:18:05

If the Hunter has double spreaders, it will be much more difficult to raise/lower the mast if that is a factor for you. We transport our boat at least 2 times a year to/from the marina, and we lower our mast to get out ot Lake Huron/Georgian Bay. The ease of not having to fight with the extra rigging is a major plus for the smaller boats.

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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 15:16:48

Steve,
How do you like your C&C? Sailed a 27' one in MT. Liked it. I could probably find a 32' boat in similar price range for an 1985-87 year range. I'm a little worried about buying an older boat though especially if I have to finance it for over ten years. C&C might stand up to more years however.

Vern

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 16:47:03

I like the C&C very much. It has a very nice, livable, main saloon and galley. It's the Landfall version, which is specifically designed for offshore sailing, and it's very ruggedly built. Most of the lines are led to the cockpit, and it's very well set up for sailing short-handed. I have sailed it in heavy weather and intentionally overpowered, to see how it would behave, and I wouldn't be afraid to sail it hardly anywhere offshore, if I was sure I was up to it. At my age, it's hard to convince yourself that you can take the beating, but each year I get caught on the Bay in another storm, and I begin to think maybe I can do it. I'm thinking about circumnavigating the DelMarva peninsula this summer, and that might give me enough of a taste of offshore sailing to bolster my courage. I've sailed offshore before, but not seriously offshore.

C&C built more copies of the racing version than the Landfall version, and the racing version still has a great racing reputation, and I sometimes wish mine was a racer, but I have been racing other peoples' boats on the Bay, and satisfying my racing urges that way. I've heard that the racing version really isn't good offshore, so, if I still have thoughts of sailing offshore, maybe it's just as well that I have the version that's up to it.

C&Cs are good boats and very good sailers. Probably the biggest concern is the fact that most of them have balsa cored hulls. Mine is rock-solid, but, if moisture gets inside, it can be a costly fix. A good survey should provide reassurance.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2010 : 08:12:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> The O'day's keel separated from the bottom of the boat, sinking it in about 3 minutes. O'day just isn't on my list any more <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Could happen to any boat with old bad keel bolts, and I've never heard any talk about Odays having probs like that. I have however heard talk of Hunters and thin hulls.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2010 : 09:31:53

I'm amazed at the difference in living space on the C27 compared to the C25.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2010 : 09:36:12

Is that really trading up? I would think you would prefer a 34 or 36 foot boat, with a little bit of separate space for your kids and yourselves. The cost is a lot higher, though.

An interesting option would be to travel with a family or two on 2 or 3 boats and share activities and spaces. Possible trips to Cuttyhunk, the Vineyard, Block Island, or Newport would be a lot of fun with a group. If I lived right on the coast, I might try to develop somerelationships like that.

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