I am considering purchasing a 23.5 Hunter with water ballast system. I am not very familiar with this system and was wondering how other owners of this type of ballasting feel. What are some of the negatives that you have come across? Any response welcomed. Thanks
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Steven Gautney
I really like my boat... . . .
The 23.5 is considered by many to be "tender" to the wind. I'm saying that she rolls . . .in reaction to wind gusts . . .perhaps more easily than a boat with a different keel/ballast system. The positives are the ease of trailering and a inovative use of space. The "tenderness" is a boat characteristic like any boat may have . . .the only thing I do differently is perhaps reefing the sails more readily that I might in a fixed keel boat. I highly recommend the 23.5.
The 23.5 is considered by many to be "tender" to the wind. I'm saying that she rolls . . .in reaction to wind gusts . . .perhaps more easily than a boat with a different keel/ballast system. The positives are the ease of trailering and a inovative use of space. The "tenderness" is a boat characteristic like any boat may have . . .the only thing I do differently is perhaps reefing the sails more readily that I might in a fixed keel boat. I highly recommend the 23.5.
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Ray Bowles
Steve is right on.
The water ballast boat does require reefing earlier than a fixed keel boat but for starting out sailers this is not a problem and I feel is somewhat a blessing. Read everything you can about sailing BEFORE buying a boat. Understand what tender is and what reefing is. Then you will understand both ballast systems. The great part of almost all water ballast boats is the ease to launch, load and tow. The biggest advantage is you don't have to have a special trailer, or crane or someones boat yard to do your haul-out that you read so much about. Load up your trailer, hook-up your pick-um up truck and take your boat home to work on. Read, read some more and then buy. Good sailing my friend. Ray
The water ballast boat does require reefing earlier than a fixed keel boat but for starting out sailers this is not a problem and I feel is somewhat a blessing. Read everything you can about sailing BEFORE buying a boat. Understand what tender is and what reefing is. Then you will understand both ballast systems. The great part of almost all water ballast boats is the ease to launch, load and tow. The biggest advantage is you don't have to have a special trailer, or crane or someones boat yard to do your haul-out that you read so much about. Load up your trailer, hook-up your pick-um up truck and take your boat home to work on. Read, read some more and then buy. Good sailing my friend. Ray
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Ken Shubert
Tradeoffs?
It's easy to haul, rig, and launch..... even single handed if necessary. You can pull the CB and Rudder up and motor into knee deep water and even beach it on sand with the power boats. You can back into shallow water and board passengers with the swim ladder. The lack of a backstay makes for a very open cockpit but the 'pulled back' spreaders do chaffe the sails when going downwind. The H23.5 has a big sail area which leads to reefing early too. It's a simple rigging and ideal for the beginner and the lazy. There are many used ones to choose from too. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
It's easy to haul, rig, and launch..... even single handed if necessary. You can pull the CB and Rudder up and motor into knee deep water and even beach it on sand with the power boats. You can back into shallow water and board passengers with the swim ladder. The lack of a backstay makes for a very open cockpit but the 'pulled back' spreaders do chaffe the sails when going downwind. The H23.5 has a big sail area which leads to reefing early too. It's a simple rigging and ideal for the beginner and the lazy. There are many used ones to choose from too. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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Dave Royce
I Like mine also.......
I purchased my 1994 23.5 in 1996, I am the second owner and I think it is the best move I made. I presently keep it in a slip on the Puget Sound. I have just pulled it out to install a Roller Furling and to do the annual maintenance. Being able to take about an hour and bring it home is a real joy. As for sailing, this boat has handled great since I purchased it. I am really looking forwrd to the roller furler and being able to get underway alot easier. My wife and I spend may weekends living onboard and it is just right. If I had to purchase a boat all over again I would still look at the 23.5 it is just a great boat.
I purchased my 1994 23.5 in 1996, I am the second owner and I think it is the best move I made. I presently keep it in a slip on the Puget Sound. I have just pulled it out to install a Roller Furling and to do the annual maintenance. Being able to take about an hour and bring it home is a real joy. As for sailing, this boat has handled great since I purchased it. I am really looking forwrd to the roller furler and being able to get underway alot easier. My wife and I spend may weekends living onboard and it is just right. If I had to purchase a boat all over again I would still look at the 23.5 it is just a great boat.
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Dale Wile
Me, too!
I bought my 23.5 at the Seattle Boat Show in January, 1995. There are very few negatives (tenderness, a little space crampiness when all the grandkids go with us, less-than-desired storage space for all the stuff we carry); the positives are far too numerous to list. I agree entirely with what others have said in this post. We have trailered all over the Northwest, and hope to start branching out to other parts of the country. It is truly an excellent boat. Dale Wile Sandpoint, Idaho
I bought my 23.5 at the Seattle Boat Show in January, 1995. There are very few negatives (tenderness, a little space crampiness when all the grandkids go with us, less-than-desired storage space for all the stuff we carry); the positives are far too numerous to list. I agree entirely with what others have said in this post. We have trailered all over the Northwest, and hope to start branching out to other parts of the country. It is truly an excellent boat. Dale Wile Sandpoint, Idaho
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J McCue
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