HUNTER 260
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 26.25 ft |
| LWL | 23.25 ft |
| Beam | 8.96 ft |
| Draft | 6 ft/ 1.75 ft min |
| Displacement | 5,000 lb |
| Ballast | 2,000 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.5 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 29.21 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 9.46 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 30.54 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 9.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 311.3 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 138.2 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 234.9 sq ft |
About the HUNTER 260
Water ballast model (for ease of trailering - tanks remain full for sailing). Based on the earlier HUNTER 26.
Designed by Rob Mazza and the Hunter Design Team, the Hunter 260 was built by Hunter Marine (USA) from 1997–2005. This compact cruiser is characterized by a displacement of 5000.0 lb and a beam of 8.96 ft, offering a balance of interior volume and manageable handling for its size.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruising and weekend getaways, particularly for couples or small families who prioritize a spacious cockpit and easy single-handed handling over long-range offshore performance.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.1 and a relatively light displacement of 5000.0 lb, the Hunter 260 is designed for protected coastal waters rather than heavy offshore passage-making.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Hunter 25.5 and Beneteau First 26, as they share similar production eras, fractional or B&R rig configurations, and a focus on interior comfort within the 25-27 foot length range.
Performance
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
20 listings · boat years 1996–2004 · median $19,500
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 26.25ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
24 reported issues across 9 systems for the HUNTER 260, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a HUNTER 260? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 24 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Used sails that fit the HUNTER 260
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