Thinking about buying a 1986 Hunter 23 that needs a ton of work. I am just trying to find out if replacement gear is fairly easy to find. I am going to have to replace all of the interior cushions and some wood as well as some of the rigging etc. Trying to make sure I don't get in over my head... Thanks
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Frank Ladd
Just say no!
Why spend a ton of time and money on a boat that will be worth less than $8000 for boat motor trailer and sails in like new condition. A typical well kept Hunter 23 sells for between 5000 and 7000 depending on the gear. If you like that model then search for a good one. If you are short of money finding a part time job that will help you buy a good one will put you in the water faster than buying a junker for cheap. I think the only reason to buy a junker is that you enjoy working on boats. But be forwarned restoring cars will return your materials costs and give you a little money for labor. Restoring boats rarely even pays for the cost of the old boat and the restoration materials. So it often ends up like you are paying for the privledge of having a junker to work on.
Why spend a ton of time and money on a boat that will be worth less than $8000 for boat motor trailer and sails in like new condition. A typical well kept Hunter 23 sells for between 5000 and 7000 depending on the gear. If you like that model then search for a good one. If you are short of money finding a part time job that will help you buy a good one will put you in the water faster than buying a junker for cheap. I think the only reason to buy a junker is that you enjoy working on boats. But be forwarned restoring cars will return your materials costs and give you a little money for labor. Restoring boats rarely even pays for the cost of the old boat and the restoration materials. So it often ends up like you are paying for the privledge of having a junker to work on.
I hate to say it but I agree
My H23 was in pretty decent shape when I bought her and I still ended up spending a bunch of time fixing and modifying. That's time that could be spent sailing. Isn't that why you want a boat? This also raises an interesting question: How do you get rid of a junker that can't be sold? Peter H23 "Raven"
My H23 was in pretty decent shape when I bought her and I still ended up spending a bunch of time fixing and modifying. That's time that could be spent sailing. Isn't that why you want a boat? This also raises an interesting question: How do you get rid of a junker that can't be sold? Peter H23 "Raven"
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Frank Ladd
Give it to a charity
you get a tax deduxtion and the Boy Scouts or Sea Scouts or someone gets a fixer upper for cheap. Another alternative is to part the boat out. If it is a popular model the parts could be worth something.
you get a tax deduxtion and the Boy Scouts or Sea Scouts or someone gets a fixer upper for cheap. Another alternative is to part the boat out. If it is a popular model the parts could be worth something.
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Brian Conneely
I 3rd the notion
Doug, I also agree with Peter and Frank but I do have this to add. If the price is right and a thorough survey says so then make it a project. The H23 is a great introductory boat to work on because its various systems are simple. I spent some dough and time on it and brought a mediocre boat back up to ship shape...but make sure you thoroughly go over the entire boat. If you need to replace most of the interior woodwork due to rot (bulkheads etc) then look elsewhere. That is a pretty hefty job. Also consider some of the extras that are included with any boat. If furling, vhs, extra sails etc. are on the inventory then thats one or less thing to purchase later on. Check the blue book on this website to see some price quotes and what exactly the deals include. brian h23 kickin back
Doug, I also agree with Peter and Frank but I do have this to add. If the price is right and a thorough survey says so then make it a project. The H23 is a great introductory boat to work on because its various systems are simple. I spent some dough and time on it and brought a mediocre boat back up to ship shape...but make sure you thoroughly go over the entire boat. If you need to replace most of the interior woodwork due to rot (bulkheads etc) then look elsewhere. That is a pretty hefty job. Also consider some of the extras that are included with any boat. If furling, vhs, extra sails etc. are on the inventory then thats one or less thing to purchase later on. Check the blue book on this website to see some price quotes and what exactly the deals include. brian h23 kickin back
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Frank Ladd
even if it is free it may not be worth it
You mentioned that the boat will need a lot of work so if you buy it for free and the engine works fine and the trailer is fine maybe you'll only need new sails ($1500) new rigging ($800) and new canvas ($400) so you'll have spent a lot of time and $2700 on a boat thats only worth $5500 in good condition. I think you'd be sailing sooner if you got a part time job and just bought a good one for $5500 to $6500. There are good H23's that are ready to sail all over the place.
You mentioned that the boat will need a lot of work so if you buy it for free and the engine works fine and the trailer is fine maybe you'll only need new sails ($1500) new rigging ($800) and new canvas ($400) so you'll have spent a lot of time and $2700 on a boat thats only worth $5500 in good condition. I think you'd be sailing sooner if you got a part time job and just bought a good one for $5500 to $6500. There are good H23's that are ready to sail all over the place.
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Mark
It is ALWAYS a bigger, more expensive...
I agree with all of you. Furthermore, If you want to go sailing, you should be aware that it is always going to tale MUCH longer and cost more to fix the boat than you expect. Many people have said multiply your guess estimates by three if you are not experienced and you want quality results. If you are not in a rush, it could be a fun and rewarding project! good luck! Mark
I agree with all of you. Furthermore, If you want to go sailing, you should be aware that it is always going to tale MUCH longer and cost more to fix the boat than you expect. Many people have said multiply your guess estimates by three if you are not experienced and you want quality results. If you are not in a rush, it could be a fun and rewarding project! good luck! Mark
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Jeremy
I disagree
I recently bought a project hunter23 for 100 dollars on the trailer and yes it needs some work (and a motor) but for those of us who already have one boat to sail, and moderate skills with our hands it can be rewarding to restore something that would otherwise go to rot. If you don't want the boat right away, I say go for a servicable restoration, remember it is still an old boat and doesn't have to be the nicest one on the water.
I recently bought a project hunter23 for 100 dollars on the trailer and yes it needs some work (and a motor) but for those of us who already have one boat to sail, and moderate skills with our hands it can be rewarding to restore something that would otherwise go to rot. If you don't want the boat right away, I say go for a servicable restoration, remember it is still an old boat and doesn't have to be the nicest one on the water.
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Randy Simmons
Yes and no
The advice on buying a boat ready to sail is true and you won't miss any sailing time. BUT, on the other hand, there are advantages to re-doing a boat to fit your needs. I was given a H23 that had been left open (with everything for it on the hull floor) for 9 years near a woods and a barn. The fiberglass hull was in good shape, but other than that... I bought new rims and wheels to get her home (new wheel on old rim for spare). Buddy painted her in the garage where we worked for a 12-pack and a day on the boat. We pin-striped her the next day. Had an Amish saw mill plane down some old oak boards and built a beautiful red oak custom interior the way I wanted it (more for comfort and less "spartan" than stock, but similar lay-out). Updated the wiring and control panels, gave it a 3 battery system (2 house and one motor so I could stay out for two/three days at a time, permanent sink, stoves, counter and storage space, new sails, and a used 9.9 long shaft (elect. and pull start). The bad news was I spent a year buying everything I thought I would need (waiting for sales) and asking questions (this forum was a BIG help, too bad Hunter was not). I spent three plus months of every spare minute working on the boat, and did not get her in the water until August of last year. Now I have approximately $3500 in a boat that I know inside-out, is like new, and is what I want as far as comfort (well, I'd rather have a new H356...). All I'm getting at is that I saved money on paper, could not have afforded it any other way, but if you figure the sailing time lost and my labor at even minimum wage, well... Randy Simmons H23 Munchkin
The advice on buying a boat ready to sail is true and you won't miss any sailing time. BUT, on the other hand, there are advantages to re-doing a boat to fit your needs. I was given a H23 that had been left open (with everything for it on the hull floor) for 9 years near a woods and a barn. The fiberglass hull was in good shape, but other than that... I bought new rims and wheels to get her home (new wheel on old rim for spare). Buddy painted her in the garage where we worked for a 12-pack and a day on the boat. We pin-striped her the next day. Had an Amish saw mill plane down some old oak boards and built a beautiful red oak custom interior the way I wanted it (more for comfort and less "spartan" than stock, but similar lay-out). Updated the wiring and control panels, gave it a 3 battery system (2 house and one motor so I could stay out for two/three days at a time, permanent sink, stoves, counter and storage space, new sails, and a used 9.9 long shaft (elect. and pull start). The bad news was I spent a year buying everything I thought I would need (waiting for sales) and asking questions (this forum was a BIG help, too bad Hunter was not). I spent three plus months of every spare minute working on the boat, and did not get her in the water until August of last year. Now I have approximately $3500 in a boat that I know inside-out, is like new, and is what I want as far as comfort (well, I'd rather have a new H356...). All I'm getting at is that I saved money on paper, could not have afforded it any other way, but if you figure the sailing time lost and my labor at even minimum wage, well... Randy Simmons H23 Munchkin
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Mark Price
Randy, Got any Pics
I would love to see how the interior turned out with all the work you did . Got any Pictures you could post. Mark Price S/V Wendy Lee H23
I would love to see how the interior turned out with all the work you did . Got any Pictures you could post. Mark Price S/V Wendy Lee H23
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Randy Simmons
Pictures for Mark
Sorry Mark, all I have are 35mm pics and no scanner. Next time I go up to the boat (she is on Lake Erie and an hour and 20 minutes away), I will try to get some pics with a cheap digital camera I have. The main modifications I did were the permenant kitchenette with shelving (I hated the looks of the alcohol stove, wanted two burners, and got more storage out of the same amount of space this way), electrical (more lighting, stereo, Ritchey lighted compass, fish-finder/depth meter/speed, berth and saloon fans, 2 sets of rocker switches w/ a cig lighter for access's, more batteries), and a drop-leaf full size table (48") that turns the benches into a bed when dropped down. The bench backs are removable and get stowed in the quarter-berth when I need the extra bed. Everything else pretty much follows the old lay-out (it had to by design). The nice part is all the red oak with a satin poly finish on every part of the boat looks so warm. The bulk head was a major pain to fit the boards to, but the after effect with the brass light was worth it. It is nice for two couples to sit at the real table and play cards, eat,... We use it like a camper at the dock at night and I don't trailer it. I kept the quarter-berth, lowered the floor of it and have hooks for life jackets, extra lines, and racks for fishing poles all along it on both sides plus room to store anything else I want. I get down the companion-way with an oak ladder that swings up out of the way to get to the 50 quart cooler that fits under there perfectly. I also put shelves under the v-berth out of the way of the swing-up sections to get to the head and made it easy to get under the rest of the v-berth for storage. Other than that... Thanks for the interest, Randy Simmons H23 "Munchkin"
Sorry Mark, all I have are 35mm pics and no scanner. Next time I go up to the boat (she is on Lake Erie and an hour and 20 minutes away), I will try to get some pics with a cheap digital camera I have. The main modifications I did were the permenant kitchenette with shelving (I hated the looks of the alcohol stove, wanted two burners, and got more storage out of the same amount of space this way), electrical (more lighting, stereo, Ritchey lighted compass, fish-finder/depth meter/speed, berth and saloon fans, 2 sets of rocker switches w/ a cig lighter for access's, more batteries), and a drop-leaf full size table (48") that turns the benches into a bed when dropped down. The bench backs are removable and get stowed in the quarter-berth when I need the extra bed. Everything else pretty much follows the old lay-out (it had to by design). The nice part is all the red oak with a satin poly finish on every part of the boat looks so warm. The bulk head was a major pain to fit the boards to, but the after effect with the brass light was worth it. It is nice for two couples to sit at the real table and play cards, eat,... We use it like a camper at the dock at night and I don't trailer it. I kept the quarter-berth, lowered the floor of it and have hooks for life jackets, extra lines, and racks for fishing poles all along it on both sides plus room to store anything else I want. I get down the companion-way with an oak ladder that swings up out of the way to get to the 50 quart cooler that fits under there perfectly. I also put shelves under the v-berth out of the way of the swing-up sections to get to the head and made it easy to get under the rest of the v-berth for storage. Other than that... Thanks for the interest, Randy Simmons H23 "Munchkin"
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John O'Brien
I Took On a "Free" H23
I took over ownership of a neglected 1985 H23 in January, getting the boat for free, if only I'd take it off the hands of the owner. Since then I've put in about $3,500 in the boat, including purchasing a new mainsail and sail cover for $1,000. It was a great project for winter weekends for my son and I. The result is a boat that we enjoy, appreciate, and know very well. Flaws remain, more work needs to be done, but that will be put off until winter. The boat is too much fun right now. With some hindsight, I agree with those who suggest taking over a boat in great disrepair is a gamble, but well worth it if you think the restoration project might be fun itself. With a boat as small as the H23, my sense is that can't go too wrong on the $$$ side.
I took over ownership of a neglected 1985 H23 in January, getting the boat for free, if only I'd take it off the hands of the owner. Since then I've put in about $3,500 in the boat, including purchasing a new mainsail and sail cover for $1,000. It was a great project for winter weekends for my son and I. The result is a boat that we enjoy, appreciate, and know very well. Flaws remain, more work needs to be done, but that will be put off until winter. The boat is too much fun right now. With some hindsight, I agree with those who suggest taking over a boat in great disrepair is a gamble, but well worth it if you think the restoration project might be fun itself. With a boat as small as the H23, my sense is that can't go too wrong on the $$$ side.
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