Greetings. Can anyone point me to a resource that will compare the features of the 23.5 and 240? I'm interested in this class of boat for lake sailing and am interested in what Hunter changed (for better or worse) in discontinuing the 23.5 and releasing the 240. Thanks, -Richard
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Mike Collins
23.5 versus 240
Richard, A good source is the boat info section of this website. I have a 1993 23.5, and the differences I've seen are the stern seats and the mast raising support members on the 240. They are essentially the same boat. Mike
Richard, A good source is the boat info section of this website. I have a 1993 23.5, and the differences I've seen are the stern seats and the mast raising support members on the 240. They are essentially the same boat. Mike
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Richard
23.5 versus 240
Are they the same hull, same water ballast system, same rudder, same sail area, etc? Thanks...
Are they the same hull, same water ballast system, same rudder, same sail area, etc? Thanks...
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Drew
Ballast
240 has about 30% more ballast than the 23.5. I've never sailed the latter but's it's said to be more tender....
240 has about 30% more ballast than the 23.5. I've never sailed the latter but's it's said to be more tender....
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Ron Baer
240 vs 23.5
The displacement is the biggest difference. The 23.5 is 3000#, the 240 is 3600#. The 23.5 has 12 sq ft more sail area. The 240 has a bigger cockpit. The 23.5 has an open stern, the 240 has a small opening with small deck (great to sit on and let your feet dangle in the water). The centerboard is much heaver on the 240; need to use the winch to raise it. I believe the inside of the 240 is larger, but this makes for a higher boat, with more wind area. My opinion: the 23.5 is a faster boat, the 240 is a comfortable cruiser.
The displacement is the biggest difference. The 23.5 is 3000#, the 240 is 3600#. The 23.5 has 12 sq ft more sail area. The 240 has a bigger cockpit. The 23.5 has an open stern, the 240 has a small opening with small deck (great to sit on and let your feet dangle in the water). The centerboard is much heaver on the 240; need to use the winch to raise it. I believe the inside of the 240 is larger, but this makes for a higher boat, with more wind area. My opinion: the 23.5 is a faster boat, the 240 is a comfortable cruiser.
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Mike Collins
23.5 versus 240
I agree with Ron, My 23.5 is about 2000 lbs with an empty ballast tank and 3000 when full. It can be quite tender in gusts, until you get used used to the technique of reefing at about 15-18 knots of wind and feathering up into the wind on lifts. Due to its weight, it is a good light wind boat, and can be a lot of fun in heavier wind. Left alone, the boat will head up into the wind in gusts, by itself when overpowered. This is due to excessive heeling and stalling of the rudder. (not enough of the rudder in the water). I could believe that the extra 600 lbs. would help the boat stay on its feet. The 23.5, I believe is somewhat faster, but requires more attention to sail properly. I haven't sailed a 240, but have sailed a 260, and the 260 handles much like the 23.5 in gusts. I guess water ballast is water ballast. Due to the movement of the water and the changes in center of gravity, a quick gust can cause the excessive heeling and rudder stall. In a steady breeze, however, the boat settles down nicely, once you hit the groove. More food for thought. The best thing is to sail both boats and compare. Mike
I agree with Ron, My 23.5 is about 2000 lbs with an empty ballast tank and 3000 when full. It can be quite tender in gusts, until you get used used to the technique of reefing at about 15-18 knots of wind and feathering up into the wind on lifts. Due to its weight, it is a good light wind boat, and can be a lot of fun in heavier wind. Left alone, the boat will head up into the wind in gusts, by itself when overpowered. This is due to excessive heeling and stalling of the rudder. (not enough of the rudder in the water). I could believe that the extra 600 lbs. would help the boat stay on its feet. The 23.5, I believe is somewhat faster, but requires more attention to sail properly. I haven't sailed a 240, but have sailed a 260, and the 260 handles much like the 23.5 in gusts. I guess water ballast is water ballast. Due to the movement of the water and the changes in center of gravity, a quick gust can cause the excessive heeling and rudder stall. In a steady breeze, however, the boat settles down nicely, once you hit the groove. More food for thought. The best thing is to sail both boats and compare. Mike
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Richard
240 vs 23.5
Great info! Very much appreciated. I'd be sailing on Lake LBJ in Central Texas. Light wind is the norm, all summer long, so I think a 240 might be perfect for afternoon day sailing on LBJ. There's no way to put a boat in a slip, but I can leave a fully rigged boat in a yard next to the ramp. The ramp is pretty shallow, so it would be tough to launch a keel boat. So, water ballast and light winds might be the perfect match for what I need to do. Thanks again for the info and advice. I'll see if I can find somebody with a 240 on LBJ or Lake Travis and bring the BBQ in exchange for a ride...
Great info! Very much appreciated. I'd be sailing on Lake LBJ in Central Texas. Light wind is the norm, all summer long, so I think a 240 might be perfect for afternoon day sailing on LBJ. There's no way to put a boat in a slip, but I can leave a fully rigged boat in a yard next to the ramp. The ramp is pretty shallow, so it would be tough to launch a keel boat. So, water ballast and light winds might be the perfect match for what I need to do. Thanks again for the info and advice. I'll see if I can find somebody with a 240 on LBJ or Lake Travis and bring the BBQ in exchange for a ride...
Add H26 to your consideration
With your availability of mast-up storage, this would be a great choice. Check the floorplans and specs on the 26 and 260 and you will see that they are very similar.With any of the boats mentioned, you may find you want to make some additions to the trailers to make recovering your boat a little easier. Some of the stock trailers can damage your bow in the loading process.
With your availability of mast-up storage, this would be a great choice. Check the floorplans and specs on the 26 and 260 and you will see that they are very similar.With any of the boats mentioned, you may find you want to make some additions to the trailers to make recovering your boat a little easier. Some of the stock trailers can damage your bow in the loading process.
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