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Hunter 265
Designer: Hunter Design Team  ·  Builder: Hunter Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Hunter 265

Built during a brief three-year production run from 1985 to 1987, this compact cruiser represents Hunter Marine's entry into the smaller sailboat market during the mid-1980s boom. At just over 26 feet overall with a 22-foot waterline, the Hunter 265 maximizes interior space through its generous 9-foot beam while maintaining reasonable trailering dimensions. The fractional sloop rig and wing keel configuration make this boat particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. With 304 square feet of sail area driving 4,400 pounds of displacement, the design offers a good balance of performance and stability for newer sailors or those seeking manageable boat handling. The wing keel provides shallow water access with its 3.5-foot draft while contributing to directional stability. Hunter's focus on practical cruising amenities shows throughout this model, though the relatively low comfort ratio of 15.39 suggests this boat favors sailing performance over heavy-weather cruising comfort. The capsize screening formula of 2.2 indicates reasonable stability for protected waters and moderate coastal conditions. With a theoretical hull speed of 6.34 knots, the 265 offers respectable performance for day sailing and short coastal hops, making it an attractive option for sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$9,500 – $9,500
typical asking price
Median $9,500  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$9,500 – $9,500 1
Rate a listing price
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About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.58 ft / 8.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.42 ft / 6.83 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 4,400.00 lb / 1,996 kg
Ballast 1,800.00 lb / 816 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 304.00 ft² / 28.24 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Wing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hunter Design Team
Builder Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built 1985
Last Built 1987
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.17
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 40.91
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 174.3
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 15.39
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.2
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.34 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.18
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 720.98 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.15
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 29.42 ft / 8.97 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
SA Fore 138.57 ft² / 12.87 m²
SA Main 165.16 ft² / 15.34 m²
SA Total (100%) 303.73 ft² / 28.22 m²
Est. Forestay Length 30.89 ft / 9.42 m
Mast Height (DWL) 38.75 ft / 11.81 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 23 gals / 87 L
Find a Hunter 265 For Sale
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