What are the biggest differences between the 240 and the 23.5. I solo sail most of the time from a very good ramp. I store the boat rigged accross the street from the ramp. Day sail most of the time but occational trips to the Channel Islands 25 miles off shore for weekends only. I would be moving up from a 170. Thanks, Brian
240 vd. 23.5
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240 versus 23.5
The 240 is basically an update from the 23.5. I have a 1993 vintage 23.5 and have been quite happy with it. The 240 have a slightly different rudder arrangement, stern seats, different set up to steady the mast when raising, etc. Sailing the 23.5, which is water ballasted with a centerboard is much like dingy sailing. It is a little tender in gusts, but will settle down in a steady breeze. You will learn to feather up into the wind to keep the rudder in good water to keep it from stalling. We've also learned to reef the main at about 15 knots of wind, as you will hit hull speed even with the reef, and it is much more manageable to sail. The hunters like this have large mains, which will overpower the boat causing it to round up in gusts (your first mate won't usually like that sensation). You can save some $$ going with an older 23.5, if you don't miss the stern seats and all. Check out the boat info on the HunterOwners.com website. Hope this helps you, Mike Collins Yacht "C"
The 240 is basically an update from the 23.5. I have a 1993 vintage 23.5 and have been quite happy with it. The 240 have a slightly different rudder arrangement, stern seats, different set up to steady the mast when raising, etc. Sailing the 23.5, which is water ballasted with a centerboard is much like dingy sailing. It is a little tender in gusts, but will settle down in a steady breeze. You will learn to feather up into the wind to keep the rudder in good water to keep it from stalling. We've also learned to reef the main at about 15 knots of wind, as you will hit hull speed even with the reef, and it is much more manageable to sail. The hunters like this have large mains, which will overpower the boat causing it to round up in gusts (your first mate won't usually like that sensation). You can save some $$ going with an older 23.5, if you don't miss the stern seats and all. Check out the boat info on the HunterOwners.com website. Hope this helps you, Mike Collins Yacht "C"
Bridge Deck
I own a 98 H240. The only thing I wish it had that the 23.5 has is a bridgedeck across the companion way.
I own a 98 H240. The only thing I wish it had that the 23.5 has is a bridgedeck across the companion way.
I Prefer the 23.5
Mostly because I own one here are a few more resons bigger cockpit aft berth is larger and oriented fore and aft more storage in cockpit lockers better rudder system (not great but better) stays vs struts for mast raising support (easier to remove) We were looking at a new 240 when we bought our 23.5 the things that were drawing us to the 240 were it's cloth seat cushions and the stern rail seats. After having the boat for about six years now I am glad we do not have the cloth seat cushions, were the boat larger or our kids were older maybe but not now. I added the stern rail seats so that is a wash. The 23.5 sould be somwhat cheaper to buy so my suggestion would be to buy the 23.5 and spend the differenceon other goodies like the stern rail seats.
Mostly because I own one here are a few more resons bigger cockpit aft berth is larger and oriented fore and aft more storage in cockpit lockers better rudder system (not great but better) stays vs struts for mast raising support (easier to remove) We were looking at a new 240 when we bought our 23.5 the things that were drawing us to the 240 were it's cloth seat cushions and the stern rail seats. After having the boat for about six years now I am glad we do not have the cloth seat cushions, were the boat larger or our kids were older maybe but not now. I added the stern rail seats so that is a wash. The 23.5 sould be somwhat cheaper to buy so my suggestion would be to buy the 23.5 and spend the differenceon other goodies like the stern rail seats.
bridgedeck
Look at pictures of a 23.5 cockpit. The seats are actually U shaped. You have to step up on the seat to go down the companionway. On a H240 there is only a small lip to step over.
Look at pictures of a 23.5 cockpit. The seats are actually U shaped. You have to step up on the seat to go down the companionway. On a H240 there is only a small lip to step over.
Why the bridgedeck
Rick W didn't say his reason for liking the bridgedeck. I like the bridgedeck because it keeps water out of the cabin when I'm scrubbing the cockpit and rinsing with buckets of water. I sail on a lake so I'm not worried about waves swamping me. Rick W - is this your reason too? I added stern rail seats as well, and wouldn't be without them. I modifed the lifelines to terminate at the top rail of the seat instead of the original point - a U-bolt on the gunwhale right near the stern. I very happy with my 23.5. I saw a 240 up close once so I know of a couple more differences: The 240 has 200 (400?) pounds more water ballast and a smaller sail area, so in theory I imagine it should be a bit less tender. The 240 has moved the gas tank and the battery from the starboard side to the centerline, so it might not list to starboard as much as the 23.5, but I'd hate to remove the battery from the 240's location! It's at the aft end of the aft berth. I think you have to drag it out over the bed. That still leaves the outboard and the porta-pottie on the starboard side, so it probably still doesn't float level. I balanced my 23.5 with 150 pounds of kitty litter (in plastic bags) along the port side. (My fresh water tank under the port-side sink is always empty.) ...RickM...
Rick W didn't say his reason for liking the bridgedeck. I like the bridgedeck because it keeps water out of the cabin when I'm scrubbing the cockpit and rinsing with buckets of water. I sail on a lake so I'm not worried about waves swamping me. Rick W - is this your reason too? I added stern rail seats as well, and wouldn't be without them. I modifed the lifelines to terminate at the top rail of the seat instead of the original point - a U-bolt on the gunwhale right near the stern. I very happy with my 23.5. I saw a 240 up close once so I know of a couple more differences: The 240 has 200 (400?) pounds more water ballast and a smaller sail area, so in theory I imagine it should be a bit less tender. The 240 has moved the gas tank and the battery from the starboard side to the centerline, so it might not list to starboard as much as the 23.5, but I'd hate to remove the battery from the 240's location! It's at the aft end of the aft berth. I think you have to drag it out over the bed. That still leaves the outboard and the porta-pottie on the starboard side, so it probably still doesn't float level. I balanced my 23.5 with 150 pounds of kitty litter (in plastic bags) along the port side. (My fresh water tank under the port-side sink is always empty.) ...RickM...
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