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Review of the Hunter 260 by Tim Brewer

Year built 2000  
Location of boat Lake Pleasant Arizona  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2009  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes we love our Hunter. We alos have a Macgregor 26s that we use to trailer to the other lakes in AZ. (Yes we have great sailing in the desert). Our Hunter is in a mast up dry storage at Lake Plesant which is the lake we spend most of our time. We are on the boat every weekend either on the hook or at the transient slip in the marina. This boat works well for 4 adults on overnights and day sails, any more and it starts to get crowded. Ours is a tiller steer with a Hinda 15 hp outboard.  
Gear that's been added Stereo with IPOD connections, power cleats for jib, bimini., battery charger, shore power plug in for AC.  
Structural or complex improvements no  
The boat's best features Size of a trailerable sailboat and ease of launching. Slip fees are a premium in AZ and with all other cost would run about 1k per mont to leave in the water and maintain. We also have the caligia muscels that are cuasing problems and increase maintenance cost so ...having the option to easily launch and retrieve the boat with this level of comfort is the best attribute.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. jim clam cleats are not a good design for single handed sailing especially in higher winds. Rear tiller. I have had problems with the kenyon stove and the gasket in the cap considering the hear we get to in AZ when in dry dock. My keel is very hard to raise and operate maybe somehting wrong but there are no dealers in our area that know the HUnter well enough top assist. Location of mainsheet hook requires a foot release in high winds.  
Sailing characterisitcs Holds line and course very well, handles chop and big power boat wakes with no problems. Easy to sail under 20 knts, over and you need two hands on the sheets.  
Motoring characterisitcs With a 15hp the motor is more than the boat needs but nice to have the power. We can get hit by a fast approaching moonson in the late summer and it is nice to know I have the power to get in if required. Having come up though tiller boats I find the tiller steering to be very good and very responsive. At bit of owrk in a marina with all the ocntrols at the outboard but very manageable and responsive to steering in tight space in reverse and forward. I think the motor size assist greatly in this area.  
Liveability Very liveable for 4 adults on overnighters . Two adults there is plenty of storage and roon for an extended stay.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) bought it used  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any no experience. I wish there was a loca Hunter dealer that knew the boat to assist in some questions.  
Other comments Great boat for keeping at the lake or an ocasional trip. I would not want to day sail it and spend 2 hours each day in riggings. It trailers well if you have the right vehicle and can be launched and retrieve single handed. Best trailer sailor boat ion the mmarket IMHO  

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