I had a 1993 Hunter 23.5, which I liked so well that I decided to upgrade. I sold it and bought a Catalina 250WK, which I despised and sold! So, I am planning to buy either a 23.5 or a 240 between now and next spring. My question relates to the significant differences in prices for used a 23.5 versus the 240. The 240 is better looking and has several nice features, but it is still basically the same boat. I will keep the boat on the trailer at the lake with the mast up and launch at the marina ramp. I will sail weekends plus 4 or 5 overnights a year. Has anyone bought a used 240 after looking at a nice 23.5. If so, what were your thoughts in making this decision? Thanks, John
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Ken Koons
240 purchased this past spring
John, I was looking at 240 versus 23.5's this spring. I bought a 1998 240. I liked the stern rail seats and companionway entry better on the 240. I was seeing 23.5's in the 9,500 to 10,500 range for 94 to 95 models. I got the 98 for just under 14k. That price included a lot of extras, Magma grill, GPS, Handheld VHF. I figured it was worth the extra $$ to get the layout I wanted and buy a 3 to 5 year newer boat.
John, I was looking at 240 versus 23.5's this spring. I bought a 1998 240. I liked the stern rail seats and companionway entry better on the 240. I was seeing 23.5's in the 9,500 to 10,500 range for 94 to 95 models. I got the 98 for just under 14k. That price included a lot of extras, Magma grill, GPS, Handheld VHF. I figured it was worth the extra $$ to get the layout I wanted and buy a 3 to 5 year newer boat.
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Rick Webb
I Had the Same Decision to Make
Well, almost I was trying to decide between a new 240 or a used 23.5. I liked the stern rail seats on the 240 but really liked the price of the 23.5. There are only three significant differences between the two I can think of: 1. The transom and rudder makes for what looks like a smaller cockpit 2. the standing rigging 3. The layout of the aft berth, it is across the boat instead of in line with the boat. If you are planning to use the aft berth and are the first one in it is very claustrophobic. I opted for the 23.5 and ordered a set of stern rail seats from Hunter for $650 and am very happy with the choice we made.
Well, almost I was trying to decide between a new 240 or a used 23.5. I liked the stern rail seats on the 240 but really liked the price of the 23.5. There are only three significant differences between the two I can think of: 1. The transom and rudder makes for what looks like a smaller cockpit 2. the standing rigging 3. The layout of the aft berth, it is across the boat instead of in line with the boat. If you are planning to use the aft berth and are the first one in it is very claustrophobic. I opted for the 23.5 and ordered a set of stern rail seats from Hunter for $650 and am very happy with the choice we made.
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Frank
Who says its better looking?
I'm not sure there is any way that one looks better than the other. I does strike me that the motor on the 23.5 is easy to reach and start and steer; on the 240 it does not look as easy to reach. I think the 240 and the 23.5 sail about the same. The 240 cost more because it is newer and some things have been improved, while other things have been unimproved. One nice thing about my 235 that I never considered before I bought it is its motoring ability. Because it is easy to reach the motor tiller at the same time you can turn the boat on a dime even when in reverse. This is so rare on a sailboat that I have had a lot of fun getting oohs and ahhs as I back into a slip just like the dual engine powerboats do.
I'm not sure there is any way that one looks better than the other. I does strike me that the motor on the 23.5 is easy to reach and start and steer; on the 240 it does not look as easy to reach. I think the 240 and the 23.5 sail about the same. The 240 cost more because it is newer and some things have been improved, while other things have been unimproved. One nice thing about my 235 that I never considered before I bought it is its motoring ability. Because it is easy to reach the motor tiller at the same time you can turn the boat on a dime even when in reverse. This is so rare on a sailboat that I have had a lot of fun getting oohs and ahhs as I back into a slip just like the dual engine powerboats do.
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Greg
Things I noticed
I looked at both the 240 and the 23.5 and the price difference was one of the factors in my selecting the 23.5. However, some things i noticed between the two was the Tiller connection, the 240 didnt seem as sturdy as the 23.5, and as in the other posts, the motor accessability wasnt as good on the 240. I found a good deal on a 23.5 and couldnt be happier. The boat sails nice and is easy to handle getting in and out of the marina... i havnt put it on the trailer yet since i bought it this year, I keep it in the water to minimize set-up time... Anyways... those are some of the things i noticed... good luck in your search.. Greg s/v Passin Wind
I looked at both the 240 and the 23.5 and the price difference was one of the factors in my selecting the 23.5. However, some things i noticed between the two was the Tiller connection, the 240 didnt seem as sturdy as the 23.5, and as in the other posts, the motor accessability wasnt as good on the 240. I found a good deal on a 23.5 and couldnt be happier. The boat sails nice and is easy to handle getting in and out of the marina... i havnt put it on the trailer yet since i bought it this year, I keep it in the water to minimize set-up time... Anyways... those are some of the things i noticed... good luck in your search.. Greg s/v Passin Wind
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Ken Shubert
Differences ?
I believe the H240 has less sail area and some extra rigging on the mast. It seemed to be more crowded to go forward. The H23.5 motor access is excellent and it's possible to turn the motor 90 degrees and run circles around the CB. That's a nice feature when in queue for the ramp. Ken S/V WouffHong
I believe the H240 has less sail area and some extra rigging on the mast. It seemed to be more crowded to go forward. The H23.5 motor access is excellent and it's possible to turn the motor 90 degrees and run circles around the CB. That's a nice feature when in queue for the ramp. Ken S/V WouffHong
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John Powell
Thanks!
Thanks for the good thoughts. I wasn/t sure of the ability to steer the 240 with the motor. That was one of the things about the C-250 I did not like - that is not being able to use the motor to steer. I will be sure to look at this if I get closer to a 240. John
Thanks for the good thoughts. I wasn/t sure of the ability to steer the 240 with the motor. That was one of the things about the C-250 I did not like - that is not being able to use the motor to steer. I will be sure to look at this if I get closer to a 240. John
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Ken Koons
steering the 240
John, Generally I try to "lock" the outboard in straight ahead position when When I'm driving my 240 and steer with the tiller and rudder. I've found that it's nearly impossible to steer the boat with just the outboard. I'll often stand on the stern-swim platform area with my feet straddling the rudder and steer with the tiller. That way I can easily reach the motor. It is very hard on the back muscles trying to reach the motor handle from the seats in the 240 for extended periods of motoring. Good luck in your choice. You really can't go wrong with either boat.
John, Generally I try to "lock" the outboard in straight ahead position when When I'm driving my 240 and steer with the tiller and rudder. I've found that it's nearly impossible to steer the boat with just the outboard. I'll often stand on the stern-swim platform area with my feet straddling the rudder and steer with the tiller. That way I can easily reach the motor. It is very hard on the back muscles trying to reach the motor handle from the seats in the 240 for extended periods of motoring. Good luck in your choice. You really can't go wrong with either boat.
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Bill Krause
Steering 240
To steer the 240 as mentioned was a chore until I found an inexpensive solution. I bought a tiller extension for the outboard and it works great. You can stand in the cockpit or even sit on the stern rail seats. You can find them in any marine catalog or marine store.
To steer the 240 as mentioned was a chore until I found an inexpensive solution. I bought a tiller extension for the outboard and it works great. You can stand in the cockpit or even sit on the stern rail seats. You can find them in any marine catalog or marine store.
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