I have read the spec sheets, but would like to know the main differences between the H240 and the 23.5. Does one sail better then the other? Bigger cockpit,etc. The reason I asked, I have a 96 H26 and am thinking about downsizing. I love the H26, but don,t use it that much and thought the 240 or 23.5 would be easier to trailer sail if I can't get one of my boys to go with me. Thanks in advance, Ken
240 vs 23.5 advice
- Thread starter kgl
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23.5 is more like your 26
If you liked the setup of your 26, then the 23.5 will be very familiar. Differences in the 23.5 and 240 include: Different rudder configurations. 23.5 elliptical, 240 square 23.5 has same mast to deck connection as 26. I believe the 240 had small struts to support the mast. I saw a demo when they were new and the dealer tried to demonstate how much easier raising the mast was with the struts. I think the anchor locker is different. Possibly 2 bow cleats instead of 1 on the 240. Some styling changes in the galley? Thats what I remember from 5 years ago. Mark
If you liked the setup of your 26, then the 23.5 will be very familiar. Differences in the 23.5 and 240 include: Different rudder configurations. 23.5 elliptical, 240 square 23.5 has same mast to deck connection as 26. I believe the 240 had small struts to support the mast. I saw a demo when they were new and the dealer tried to demonstate how much easier raising the mast was with the struts. I think the anchor locker is different. Possibly 2 bow cleats instead of 1 on the 240. Some styling changes in the galley? Thats what I remember from 5 years ago. Mark
All the Significant Differences are Aft
The transom is different enough that the 23.5 has a much larger cockpit. The rudder assembley is different as well. As mentioned earlier the mast raising stays were replaced with struts on the 240, makes it more difficult to remove if you are going to leave the mast up. I looked at both when we bought ours and preferred the 23.5. There were two boats I was looking at one was a new 240 the other was a five year old 23.5 that had not been used at all, in fact the registration numbers had never even been put on. The 240 had two features I liked the stern rail seats and a cloth interior. I was able to add the stern rail seats to the 23.5 and am now glad we do not have a cloth interior. I have not sailed the 240 but an sure they sail the same. I have been wanting to trade up to a 26 mostly for the enclosed head.
The transom is different enough that the 23.5 has a much larger cockpit. The rudder assembley is different as well. As mentioned earlier the mast raising stays were replaced with struts on the 240, makes it more difficult to remove if you are going to leave the mast up. I looked at both when we bought ours and preferred the 23.5. There were two boats I was looking at one was a new 240 the other was a five year old 23.5 that had not been used at all, in fact the registration numbers had never even been put on. The 240 had two features I liked the stern rail seats and a cloth interior. I was able to add the stern rail seats to the 23.5 and am now glad we do not have a cloth interior. I have not sailed the 240 but an sure they sail the same. I have been wanting to trade up to a 26 mostly for the enclosed head.
Big Difference I Forgot
The aft berth is oriented across the boat rather than along it's length. This is going to be significant for the first person in as it is really tight in there. There is a hatch to ventilate the aft berth that the 23.5 does not have but the 240 looses a locker in the cockpit that the 23.5 has.
The aft berth is oriented across the boat rather than along it's length. This is going to be significant for the first person in as it is really tight in there. There is a hatch to ventilate the aft berth that the 23.5 does not have but the 240 looses a locker in the cockpit that the 23.5 has.
one axle vs two.
I moved up from a H23.5 to a H26. Even though the 23.5 is easier to muscle around on the trailer, I found the H26 (with the tandem axle) much better going down the road. The 23.5 has a squirrelly single axle trailer that moves around quite a bit. I wouldn't go back.
I moved up from a H23.5 to a H26. Even though the 23.5 is easier to muscle around on the trailer, I found the H26 (with the tandem axle) much better going down the road. The 23.5 has a squirrelly single axle trailer that moves around quite a bit. I wouldn't go back.
More differences
The 240 cockpit seats are on the sides, with only a lip of an inch or so on the floor going into the companionway to the stairs. The 23.5 has the bench seats wrap in a complete U in front of the companionway. I suppose some advantages to this on the 23.5: 1) keeps water out of the cabin better (if you get swamped, or dump a bucket while mopping) 2) the mainsheet U-bolt is here instead of on the cockpit floor. This gives an extra foot brace when heeled over for someone sitting near the bulkheads. 3) people put travellers on this bench surface on the 23.5. On the 240 it would have to span the gap and seem to split the cockpit more. RickW mentioned a vent on the 240. My 23.5 has a vent into the aft berth, just forward of the starboard locker that holds the gas tank. The 240 has relocated the gas tank to the center. I don't know where the battery is. On my 23.5, the outboard, gas tank, battery and porta-potie are all on the starboard side. The port side has only the galley and the small water tank, which I never fill. As a result, my boat listed to starboard when sitting at the dock. To make it float level, I put several bags of kitty litter on the port side totalling 150 pounds. The 23.5 has a ridge down the cockpit floor centerline. This has a square hole to receive the cabin table leg for cockpit picnics. I think the 240 has a different mount for the table in the cockpit and below (on the bench walls). What I don't recall is if the ridge is still there on the 240. It is used as a foot brace. Without it, shorter people and kids likely couldn't reach their foot to the opposite bench because the cockpit is so wide. This could be an issue when heeled over. I haven't sailed in a 240 but I do know that it has more water ballast (I thought 1200 lbs vs 1000 lbs, but I can't verify that). Somebody mentioned that the sail area is less. Presumably the 240 could be considered less tender but sail trim skills can compensate for this to some degree.
The 240 cockpit seats are on the sides, with only a lip of an inch or so on the floor going into the companionway to the stairs. The 23.5 has the bench seats wrap in a complete U in front of the companionway. I suppose some advantages to this on the 23.5: 1) keeps water out of the cabin better (if you get swamped, or dump a bucket while mopping) 2) the mainsheet U-bolt is here instead of on the cockpit floor. This gives an extra foot brace when heeled over for someone sitting near the bulkheads. 3) people put travellers on this bench surface on the 23.5. On the 240 it would have to span the gap and seem to split the cockpit more. RickW mentioned a vent on the 240. My 23.5 has a vent into the aft berth, just forward of the starboard locker that holds the gas tank. The 240 has relocated the gas tank to the center. I don't know where the battery is. On my 23.5, the outboard, gas tank, battery and porta-potie are all on the starboard side. The port side has only the galley and the small water tank, which I never fill. As a result, my boat listed to starboard when sitting at the dock. To make it float level, I put several bags of kitty litter on the port side totalling 150 pounds. The 23.5 has a ridge down the cockpit floor centerline. This has a square hole to receive the cabin table leg for cockpit picnics. I think the 240 has a different mount for the table in the cockpit and below (on the bench walls). What I don't recall is if the ridge is still there on the 240. It is used as a foot brace. Without it, shorter people and kids likely couldn't reach their foot to the opposite bench because the cockpit is so wide. This could be an issue when heeled over. I haven't sailed in a 240 but I do know that it has more water ballast (I thought 1200 lbs vs 1000 lbs, but I can't verify that). Somebody mentioned that the sail area is less. Presumably the 240 could be considered less tender but sail trim skills can compensate for this to some degree.
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