Hunter 140 vs Marlow-Hunter 15
Posted by arccpa@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Help me choose! Both are affordable, the 140 is $1,800 asking and the 15 is $3,500 (late model - 2022). I am sure the 140 has more needs as far as hardware sails but they both look seaworthy. So price isn't the deciding factor.
My goals - launch from the beach with anywhere from 1 to 4 adults, or a combination of 1-4 adults and kids. Could easily be 500lbs of crew, but often 240 or 300lbs. This is on the Mississippi Sound, shallow sandy water protected by barrier islands. Furthest trip would be 6-7 miles across the sound to the (sound side) of the islands. I favor stability/comfort over speed.
Hour_Atmosphere_1941@reddit
Most adults ive ever successfully had on a 15 footer is 3, and that was with me sitting at the bow straddling the mast to keep balance, if youre looking for comfort a dinghy is not for you, trailer sailors can be had for around the price of the 15 (swing keel boats like the siren 17 and 19, catalina 22, cs-22, and i think the hunter 22 has a swing keel model) they can be had for that sub 5k range, raising the mast can be a bit of a hassle without a gin pole (which can be made easily for reasonably cheap if you know how it works) but other than that they are pretty easily soloable. Also in even moderate winds (10-15kts) with a crew that doesnt know how to sail a dinghy, chances are good that you will end up in the water, and even with people with experience you may end up in the water as balance (not personal, but balancing the boat) is extremely important
arccpa@reddit (OP)
Beach launching is a critical factor for me, so it needs to be light enough to dolly. I'm absolutely interested in Hobie waves or getaway also but haven't found one yet
arccpa@reddit (OP)
Thanks for all the help. I'm leaning to the Hunter 15 but it doesn't have a dolly, so - more advice please! Is it feasible to push it on it's trailer down the beach (our beach is not very wide, less than 100 feet, sand is typical beach sand - not hard). The boat is, depending on where I look it up, something like 500lbs or less. I could add a wheel to the trailer jack end.
Efficient_Waltz_8023@reddit
How about a plain old Hobie 16. Many can be had wicked cheap. With beach wheels easy to launch. Yes it’s old technology but still a solid choice.
arccpa@reddit (OP)
I haven't sailed a 16 but I'm a little intimidating by sailing it solo or with just a kid in heavier wind, vs a dinghy. I need to look into it more they are certainly available
walt-m@reddit
An 8 ft wide catamaran is going to be more stable and less prone to tipping over than a dingy.
The wave/getaways are rotomolded polyethylene. They are heavier than the 16s, and offer considerably less performance. These are newer models and catered more towards families or casual sailors.
The 16s are fiberglass and sail much better. They are however more prone to pitchpoling then the newer plastic models when pushed to their limits. While it may be an older design it is still a popular one design for racing. It was sort of a standard beach cat for decades so there are tons of them still out there, readily available spare parts, etc. It is not a boat for four adults, or at least not very much fun.
Hobie 18's have much more buoyancy in the bows so instead of digging in and tripping the boat they just kind of bounce back up. My wife and I learned to sail on an 18 SX and buried the bowels to the mast many times while learning without issue. We often sailed with three adults, four if there was enough wind to still move along at a good pace and we could take advantage of the extra weight.
We mostly sailed with a local fleet and while most boats had a crew of two, there was usually a few that were solo sailed, unless it was a racing event.
arccpa@reddit (OP)
Thanks. My concern is not just tipping, but righting afterwards, which will be much easier with the hunter 140. something about the bigger cats makes me nervous. i've sailed waves and they are much more tame.
becoming_stoic@reddit
I used to teach sailing on 16's at a summer camp for kids. You and the kids got this. Supper fun but prepare to get wet!
Plastic_Table_8232@reddit
Survey the boats and choose the one that is closest to sailing. If one has blown out sails you’re going to spend more for a - singular, sail than the cost of the boat. I’m being a bit hyperbolic but at that price range anything you invest is the equivalent to lighting cigars with $100 bills.
For what it’s worth on my 30’ two people was ideal and it got crowded with more. If you have the finances and ambition to sail you will soon find yourself wanting a larger boat. Don’t get over invested in this one.
Learn from my mistakes please.
arccpa@reddit (OP)
I used to have a 23 then a 32. This is just for fun at the beach house, where I have no dock. Need something I can store under the house, wheel down the beach and go. So never say never but I've been down the road of wanting a bigger boat already.
weitzenheimer@reddit
The 15 is much bigger than the length would suggest and would handle 4 adults better. Check sailboat data and you can compare the 2. If money is not an issue I'd go with newer and bigger
arccpa@reddit (OP)
Thanks. The dimensions are very similar but the freeboard on the 15 is much higher. The 15 is also almost twice as heavy. That's good and bad since I'm going to be launching from the beach.
I can't tell for sure, but unbelievable the 15 is fiberglass and the 140 is foam sandwich plastic. Does anyone know if that's correct and what the advantage is?
weitzenheimer@reddit
The 15 is much bigger than the length would suggest and would handle 4 adults better. Check sailboat data and you can compare the 2. If money is not an issue I'd go with newer and bigger
iammiscreant@reddit
I can’t see 500lbs being comfortable or practical on the Hunter 140.
Have you considered a cat?