Ok I made the choices , I opted out of the auto pilot as from all the feedback it was a nice add on but went with the tillerclutch someone had recomended here "thanks" as for the other two ticket items I bought a bimini from this site and lastly went and got the 9.9 4stroke tohatsu , just didnt want to rely on the older 2stroke 9.9 for the trip this summer, I did wind up changing the factory prop with a hi thrust model as what from I gathered it will produce more thrust at a lower rms giving me even more piece and quiet. have the boat cleaned and waxed and wont have it in the water for another 2 weeks but will try and get some pic as well as results from the heavier motor "listing is now a concern " thanks for all your input
bit the bullet
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we live on the st lawerence river , the river seperates the U.S. from Canada we are planning on meeting up with a canadian yacht club at their marina and sailing up river to another Candian marina for one two days then continue up river and make at least three more stops all on Canadian waters and marinas , last stop is Brockville Ont. its a small trip "7daysout" but will hopefully enjoy every min. 1st stop
Beautiful area you live in. I've done the trip from Alex Bay up the river as far as Messena a couple of times in the power boat we used to have. Lot's of fun...glad we had charts and depth finder 
Have you had your 23.5 out on Lake Ontario? I know it's not exactly a great lakes boat...maybe on a good day.
Have you had your 23.5 out on Lake Ontario? I know it's not exactly a great lakes boat...maybe on a good day.lmao ,,, yes charts and depth finders they ARE a must here as you can be running in the middle of the shipping channel in 150ft of water and glance over ten feet and see a rock the size of a washing machine. Had alot of those close calls up here with powerboat as well. I never made it to lake ont. we have only had the boat three years and just now figuring out how it all works with some confidence. Weve never sailed in our lives before and went and got this boat out of a whim. I like it Wife hates heeling but she copes .Would like to make it to the lake and will see depending on how well we make time on this one to dictate a possible trip to Kingston next year.
.Would like to make it to the lake and will see depending on how well we make time on this one to dictate a possible trip to Kingston next year.
Sounds like a great trip. Seven days in a 23.5 should be interesting. Look forward to hearing about your advienture when you return.
Interesting ? Ok what do you know that I dont? will I end up divorced after spending 7 days and 7 nights in a boat thats to small ? I'm hoping to equip it with enough things to keep us busy and entertained to avoid boredom. yes the boat is a bit small but theres two of us and three areas we can escape each other if need be. the cockpit, the cabin, and the bow this going to be enough room. How many nights aboard a 23.5 or similiar small boat have you all spent and what were the biggest concerns that you'd change if you did it again ?thanks in advance
Hi, You will have a great time, I'll bet.
My wife and I, and later my son and I, have done many 7 day drink-fests, er..., regattas on Lake of the Woods (see http://www.lowisa.org/). We have a Hunter 23. We pre-freeze meals, water bottles, and drinks in a Coleman cooler which lasts to about midweek. We then resupply with ice and food when near a store. We stop and go ashore for a meal or two midweek. Our clothes can get a little smelly by the end, but great fun!
Good luck!
-Chris in NW Ontario
My wife and I, and later my son and I, have done many 7 day drink-fests, er..., regattas on Lake of the Woods (see http://www.lowisa.org/). We have a Hunter 23. We pre-freeze meals, water bottles, and drinks in a Coleman cooler which lasts to about midweek. We then resupply with ice and food when near a store. We stop and go ashore for a meal or two midweek. Our clothes can get a little smelly by the end, but great fun!
Good luck!
-Chris in NW Ontario
I've never spent more than one night on board and haven't done that in quite some time. However, I was never much of a camper either. It depends on the folks involved. We also owned a 40.5 and got spoiled to creature comforts so the 23.5 became a lake day sailer. Our lake has no real destinations so we mainly just get out in the largest area and sail back and forth. I've considered trailering the boat to Kentucky Lake and heading south down the Tenn-Tom waterway. That would be a 3-4 week trip. Not sure if I could handle the noise of an outboard for that length of time.
My wife and I spent a week on our 23.5 up on Lake Champlain last year. Had enough fun, we're planning on a similar trip this summer, if we can get away. We mixed up overnighting on the hook, with renting slips at a couple of marinas. Worked fine. Cooked on the boat some and ate out some. We've also done some weekend trips on our lake at home (Cayuga Lake in the Fingerlakes region of NY). The biggest problem with a 23.5 is not the lack of space, but the lack of a real head.
Scott
Scott
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