Considering a Hunter 23 and...

[dhaberman]

I am looking to purchase my first boat and I have it narrowed to three boats. One is a Hunter 23, I have read many of the posting here and I still have a couple concerns and was wondering if anyone had an opinion. 1. The plexi companion way top. I just feel like sooner or later I am going to step on it and fall throw. I have sailed and training on boat that had FG tops and they became a working area. 2. With a a decently sloped ramp can it be easily launched and retrieved or is a tongue extension more a necessity rather than a good idea.

Thanks!

 

[Sailavie1]

I have a 2007 Hunter 25 with the same plexi glass sliding hatch. The nice thing about it is that it lets in light to make the interior much brighter. Although I have never stepped on it My self, I did watch in horror when a guest did and was pleasantly surprised he no harm was done. To your launching question, my 25 has a fixed keel that draws 2' and I have no problem on the ramp. I do not need hitch extensions during launching and retrieving. These shallow draft boats are the best!
Andre

 

[dhaberman]

Thanks Andre, I really appreciate the info. I was not looking at Hunters, but a Cat22 got sold out from under me and I ended up in front of this Hunter 22 and I did like. Just would really like to get some tiller time to see how it compares to the Cat22 wing keel and O'day 222 that I sail and have been considering!

 

[Kermit]

I am looking to purchase my first boat and I have it narrowed to three boats. One is a Hunter 23, I have read many of the posting here and I still have a couple concerns and was wondering if anyone had an opinion. 1. The plexi companion way top. I just feel like sooner or later I am going to step on it and fall throw. I have sailed and training on boat that had FG tops and they became a working area. 2. With a a decently sloped ramp can it be easily launched and retrieved or is a tongue extension more a necessity rather than a good idea. Thanks!

You will not fall through. But it will crack.
The trailer extension is an absolute must regardless of the ramp. A good flat ramp helps tremendously.

 

[dhaberman]

You will not fall through. But it will crack.
The trailer extension is an absolute must regardless of the ramp. A good flat ramp helps tremendously.

Thanks Kermit...The boat that I looked at had "Not a Step" on the plexi, not sure that was factory or the owner, so it got me thinking. Looks like you like your H23.

David

 

[caverun]

I had a similar concern on the plexiglass sliding hatch on our H240, but it has not been an issue. For headroom and ventilation, everytime we are on the boat that hatch is slid open under the hinged seahood, out of harm's way.

 

[isaksp00]

It is somewhat of a breakage risk, but at least on the 23 it is a flat piece, not molded, so I would think replacing it would be more feasible than on the models with a molded cover. Has not been an issue with me, but I only really use the boat in decent weather, and the cover is protected in its "stowed" position, so having guests misstep would be unlikely.

My trailer has a tongue extension, which is always extended since I don't tow it on public roads at speed, and I would think it'd be tough to launch or retrieve lacking that. Unless maybe you have one of those National Guard type trucks that can go almost all the way into the water.

 

[dhaberman]

It is somewhat of a breakage risk, but at least on the 23 it is a flat piece, not molded, so I would think replacing it would be more feasible than on the models with a molded cover. Has not been an issue with me, but I only really use the boat in decent weather, and the cover is protected in its "stowed" position, so having guests misstep would be unlikely.

My trailer has a tongue extension, which is always extended since I don't tow it on public roads at speed, and I would think it'd be tough to launch or retrieve lacking that. Unless maybe you have one of those National Guard type trucks that can go almost all the way into the water.

Thanks for the reply. I am feeling better and better about the plexi cover. Thinking back on other boats I help stepping mast on, I guess that is the only time now that I still worrying about the cover. Seems like we may full use of the covers when we were stepping the mast. I guess I will just need to think that one through.

I don't have one of those vehicles, but wish that I did...LOL. I guess an extension will be needed.

I am going back to see the boat on Saturday. I will let you all know how it goes.

Thanks to all who posted!

 

[isaksp00]

When you inspect it, make sure you squeeze way back in the quarter berth areas and also into the lazarette under the cockpit and in all the storage bins under the bench seats in the main cabin and vee-berth. Depending on whether it has been used or stored, there may be water down there and may be some rotting or delamination of the wood bulkheads. That may not be a deal breaker, but could offer some negotiating clout. Also look at the bulkheads (sort of like shelf brackets) that the side chain plates are attached to - one of mine cracked due to water incursion and I had to replace it. It may be tough to see if there has been any wetting of the wood, but those are plywood and if the chain plates leak, it is soaking into the wood's edge. Those are the main things I missed when I bought mine, but neither was a disaster.

 

[dhaberman]

When you inspect it, make sure you squeeze way back in the quarter berth areas and also into the lazarette under the cockpit and in all the storage bins under the bench seats in the main cabin and vee-berth. Depending on whether it has been used or stored, there may be water down there and may be some rotting or delamination of the wood bulkheads. That may not be a deal breaker, but could offer some negotiating clout. Also look at the bulkheads (sort of like shelf brackets) that the side chain plates are attached to - one of mine cracked due to water incursion and I had to replace it. It may be tough to see if there has been any wetting of the wood, but those are plywood and if the chain plates leak, it is soaking into the wood's edge. Those are the main things I missed when I bought mine, but neither was a disaster.

Awesome!!! thanks for the tips, I will check all that for sure!

 

[ENeedz]

I have an H23 (for sale by the way) that I sailed for 3 years before moving up. It is a fun boat to sail, easy to single hand and rock solid. When the you go on heel the wing keel digs in and the boat stiffins right up. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Mine has a trailer with an extension tongue. Very simple to launch and retrieve. It would be pretty difficult without the extension, unless I was will ing to sacrifice the truck.
Good luck.

 

[Paladin27]

Heh, I launched and retrieved my H23 twice before I even realized that the trailer HAD an extendable tongue! It's definitely easier with it extended... but I had success in both circumstances. The hardest part for me is getting the boat lined up on the trailer, can't see the keel till it's halfway out of the water and hard to tell if it's centered over the axle or not.

Also, I've accidentally stepped on the hatch more than a few times... I wouldn't recommend making a habit of it, but it took my weight.. granted I'm a skinny guy

 

[Kermit]

I'm a skinny boy trapped in a fat man's body.

 

[dhaberman]

Heh, I launched and retrieved my H23 twice before I even realized that the trailer HAD an extendable tongue! It's definitely easier with it extended... but I had success in both circumstances. The hardest part for me is getting the boat lined up on the trailer, can't see the keel till it's halfway out of the water and hard to tell if it's centered over the axle or not.

Also, I've accidentally stepped on the hatch more than a few times... I wouldn't recommend making a habit of it, but it took my weight.. granted I'm a skinny guy

Very cool. I did find out that the trailer did have a tongue extension, the owner didn't know it either! So I guess I am okay on that front and I guess I am going to have to just get use to not stepping on the cover!!!!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Kermit;

get hold of this fellow and give him my cell phone. I will be glad to talk with him next week after the third haul of moving furniture.