1985 Hunter 23, good deal?

tkanzler · Jun 27, 2012

I can't comment other than it's a nice looking boat, and a good size to get into sailing with. I think that boat has standard fixed ballast and swing keel, and displaces around 2400 lb. With single-axle trailer and outboard, probably not much more than 3000 lb or so. Shouldn't be a problem for your tow vehicle, especially with factory tow package (6500 lb rating with V6 4x4?). You should have brakes on that trailer, though. They're probably shot, but you should have them.

MrUnix · Jun 27, 2012

It is hard to tell without seeing it in person, but based on the description, I'd say that is a very good price and would jump on it. I paid just a little less for mine, but it needed quite a bit of work to get her ready to splash (and I am still working on it!) The '85 models came with two different keel configurations.. a 2'3" draft fixed wing keel version and a 2' draft semi-wing keel with a cockpit controlled centerboard. Both weigh in just under 2500 lbs, so your tow vehicle should be fine. They were originally sold with a 5HP outboard, so your 8HP must be a PO upgrade and is more than enough power to push it around, even in a good headwind. They perform great in light winds due to it's tall rig, and most will tell you it needs to be reefed early when the wind really kicks up. About the only area of concern is the anchor locker and cockpit drain hoses which should be checked and replaced if they look suspect (an easy, inexpensive fix).

There are several H23 owners here that are really great people and a great resource for any problems or questions you may have. I wouldn't see any problem doing an overnighter with the wife and kids.. but any more might be a bit cramped unless you plan on a couple sleeping in the cockpit

Cheers,
Brad

Winkfish · Jun 27, 2012

BRING YOUR WIFE when you go to look at her (yes, I meant the all caps). As they say, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

Indysailor · Jun 27, 2012

Do you know how to tell if the sail are in good shape? A $2900 boat can become a $4000 boat or more pretty quick if it needs new sails.

tkanzler · Jun 28, 2012

chrisandmolly said:
Towing....yes tow pakage. Trailer doesnt have brakes that I know of. Looking at ~ 100 miles round trip.

If it were me, I'd add brakes. Not terribly hard to do, and awfully nice to have when you really need them, like when some nitwit cuts in front of you and steps on the brakes.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Titan/T4843100.html

As long as the axle has the 4-bolt flange on each end for drum/caliper brackets, and the pole tongue is 3" wide, it's all you need.

Just sayin'.

rgranger · Jun 28, 2012

Here are some good websites on trailer brakes

http://www.championtrailers.com/brkart.html#electric_brakes
http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/Titan/T4843100.html

I tow my Mac22 without brakes but my boat is lighter than yours and I'm towing with a Silverado. The last website I put above is for a kit. Anyway, tow it once or twice and on a safe road get up to about 40 mph and then see how fast you can stop and still keep the boat under control. That will give you a feel of how she will behave. Then remember that in the rain etc. things will be worse.

A 23' trailerable boat is a great size for what you have in mind. I have four kids and we have (all 6) camped out before -- usually not all 6 of us can coordinate our schedules but we have done it before. I have a boom tent I put over the cockpit and that becomes a double birth. I've even seen folks who have a floor grate with dog ears that fits over the two cockpit seats and converts the cockpit into a queen sized birth. I got the tent at an army surplus store on ebay. It comes in two parts and snaps over the boom. See attached story if you want to see pics of the tent. It would not be hard to rig something similar with tarps or even sew your own that custom fits your cockpit.

Bigger boats are harder to trailer, harder to launch, more expensive to maintain... I've done the bigger boat thing and came back down to a 22'.

On the sails.... See if you can raise the sails and get a look at them with a bit of wind in them. The "pocket" should be about a foot or two behind the mast (at most). If you see a "baggy" spot in the sail about half way down the boom, you have a blown sail. The cosmetic stuff on the boat itself is all an easy fix and people here can tell you how to do it on the cheap.... Even a hole in the hull is not that hard to fix...what you are actually buying are... the TRAILER, the OUTBOARD, and THE SAILS. If you have to start replacing that stuff you will get into some money....Remember...the boat is free, so take a really hard look at the other stuff.

MrUnix · Jun 28, 2012

These boats are pretty light (~3000lbs gross w/trailer), so brakes are nice but not really a necessity. AFAIK, the original trailers didn't have them, and the extending tongue would require some hydraulic line modifications to allow them to be used. I'd suggest pulling it around behind your vehicle for a while without brakes and see how it feels first.

Sails are a hard one to pin down.. you really need to spread them out fully to examine them, which isn't always possible. They should not be a deal breaker though.. Sails can be repaired for much less than a set of new, and there is always the used market. If they are questionable, try to use that fact to get a better price

Cheers,
Brad

Indysailor · Jun 28, 2012

If you can't raise the sails, look at them closely. See how worn they are. Are there tears, threads missing along any seams?
Generally, are they crisp and somewhat slippery or are they like an old quilt? Old sails may feel quite soft and cloth-like compared to a new sail and of course you are not expecting brand new, but you don't want them flying apart the first time you get in a good gust.
Ask if they are original or not. If they are original, then you can plan on having to replace them soon, unless they were kept in remarkable shape by the previous owner.
Sails are not necessarily a deal breaker for this boat, but it would be wise to factor in the cost of replacing them because even if they are in good shape now, it's a necessary cost at some point.

kenn · Jun 28, 2012

I'm a little concerned that you aren't yet sailing yet, but you're about to make a boat purchase. We also don't know how handy you are, or if losing $2900+ (cos the boat sucks or you later hate sailing) would ruin you.

With that caution out of the way... that boat sounds like a good deal. We paid something near to that for a smaller boat that we love to bits.

The Tacoma should be fine to pull it, and you probably won't need trailer brakes if you drive sensibly.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jun 29, 2012

Chrisandmolly;

As a former dealer knowing the boat too well as I was the top dealer for it, it sits high on a trailer and would suggest brakes. Otherwise if it starts to sway when towing, you will need to accelerate and then start to brake. If not, you will loose control.

I will be on vacation but if you have any questions, email me with your phone number and I will get back with you following the week of July 4 as I will not be anywhere there is a cell phone coverage, tv reception, land line or even computer internet. Oh what a heaven to get away from all of that.

crazy dave condon

rgranger · Jun 29, 2012

chrisandmolly said:
Yes....a big issue is "putting the cart before the horse" I always wanted to do this and it looks like a great deal BUT your thoughts are exactly mine. Believe me, Ive been tossing and turning at night on the pros/cons. I feel like I need to be learning something at this point in my life. I white water kayak and thats been a blast and now I want to go on a bit of a tangent.....not to mention the wife is totally stoked about the idea. Got a 17 yr old son thats intrigued, 21 yr old daughter thinks Im nutts lol. This certainly seems like a decent price, not that I have 3K to throw around not to mention the dock/storage and upkeep fees...that has me worried lol.

Im hopeing if I do totally hate everything to do with sailing Id just resell the boat....Chris

Chris:

I'm going to say BUY IT! Fill a cooler full of frozen water bottles, cokes and beer, another with pbj, poptarts and trailmix, a loaf of bread and maybe a few cans of chef-boy-r and put her in the water, find a cove to anchor in for the evening and have an adventure. But you have to know I am a complete sailboat junkie. You can't learn to sail if you don't sail... and you can't sail without a boat. The mechanics are not that hard to learn. It is just a matter of getting comfortable with it. I have had such amazing adventures with my kids. They are now as hopelessly hooked as I am. My third child is even building herself a sailboard. And my youngest (12) and I are restoring a Rhodes 22 together. My boats have given me a relationship with my kids that I would not have otherwise had. They love tinkering with the boat as much as I do and nights at anchor in a secluded cove are magic (bring a deck of cards).

And on cost....The nice thing about a trailer sailboat is you don't have to pay those expensive slip fees. Keep the boat at the house on the trailer. With practice you will be able to set her up and launch within 30 min. And if you have her at home you will find 20 min. here and there to work on her and very soon she will truly be yours. If it is at a marina, an hour away, then working on the boat becomes a real commitment of time, energy and money. I have personally made this mistake and I've come full circle, I've sold my bigger cruiser and now have another trailerable sailboat.

Fair winds,

r

tkanzler · Jun 29, 2012

rgranger said:
And on cost....The nice thing about a trailer sailboat is you don't have to pay those expensive slip fees. Keep the boat at the house on the trailer. With practice you will be able to set her up and launch within 30 min.

Another option is to 'dry sail' it - keep it at a marina with a ramp, on the trailer with the mast up, and splash it to sail, then haul it to store.

I did that for half a summer long ago, but I didn't leave the outboard on it, so there was a good bit of work to set it up each time, plus time waiting to launch. A quiet, secure marina would be better for that. No need for bottom paint, either. :dance:

It's not for everyone, and I keep mine in a slip for quick access (time is a precious commodity), but many folks do it that way.

myfuelisfree · Jun 30, 2012

I have an 86 Hunter 23, and I love it. Setting up the mast is going to be an interesting adventure but you have teenagers for free labor. You actuall get the manual for that boat by googling it. I started out the trailer sailor route but very quickly went to a slip because just like tkansler says "time is a precious commodity". Now I often run up after work and take her out for a few hours. Thr Hunter 23 handles well and is easily sailed solo or with a crew. My boys love it and there is nothing better to start a conversation than being anchored in a cove with a fishing pole and watching the sunset. Have fun!

taichi · Jul 2, 2012

I love my Hunter 23 - very stable and forgiving, flies on a beam reach, easy to step the mast, comfortable cockpit, small enough that you can feel every change in sail trim. This boat was made to dry sail off the trailer to save marina fees. Negatives are that the keel on that model is cast iron and needs annual preventive maintenance to avoid rust (lead keels don't rust) another negative is that between the fractional rig and the swept back spreaders and the stubby keel it leaves the boat with really poor close winded performance. You will have to motor if you need to go to windward, otherwise you will get good at tacking and learn to not be in a hurry. It's always a compromise - other boats that point better will be more tender than the Hunter 23. Another thing I've found is that the berths are too small for it to overnight very comfortable in it. It's best as a daysailer. I keep mine on the trailer in a marina with the mast up ready to go so we only step the mast spring & fall. I would not keep mine in the water cuz I prefer a clean bottom.

Fly_H23 · Jul 2, 2012

Take a few lessons first and sail on some club members boats. Offer to crew for others on race days. Don't let the boat bug lead you into buying a boat just yet. There are always H23's for sale...always. It's a good boat but not the easiest to rig and launch for a beginning sailor.

I'd suggest looking for a big daysailer as a first boat. Less investment, simple to tow and rig and easier to sell than a bigger boat if it's not right for you and your family.

Most of all, have fun sailing!!

1985 Hunter 23, good deal?

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