Buying a 1987 Hunter 23.5

[chris.n]

Hi all,

I am new to Hunter sailboats and will be purchasing a 1987 Hunter 23.5 this weekend. I have not owned a sailboat for about 5 years and the wife and I (and dog) are very excited about getting back on the water. We will be sailing out of Cypress Creek Marina on Lake Travis in Austin Texas. This weekend will be familiarization time and general cleaning.

My son is also looking forward to this as he grew up sailing with us and sailed with the Broadneck High School sailing team in Annapolis, MD for a few years. He is in the Texas National Guard and last year returned from a one year deployment to Iraq as a combat medic. He has been spooked from several bad situations over there and I believe that some time on the water will do wonders for him. I can't wait to watch him shake his bonds out there on the lake. I am so proud of him and want to see him get back to being his old cheerful and optomistic self.

On another note, this boat will serve to help my wife and I get our sea legs back and get ready to make our cruising dreams come true. We are hoping to completely retire in a few years and sail the Med. I'll get into that subject at a later date.

It is great to find such an active community here. I look forward to many great discussions. See you on the water.

Chris

 

[sesmith]

Are you sure on that year (or model)? The 23.5 wasn't made until 92 or 93.

http://sailboatdata.com/view_builder.asp?builder_id=52

Have fun with it...both the 23 and 23.5 are nice boats. Just make sure the price reflects the model. (maybe if it's a newer 23.5 you shouldn't speak up??)

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Welcome chris.n,

I remember when I returned to sailing after several years off. Heck, I'm excited to have my boat out of winter storage

 

[Sail123]

Enjoy her!

 

[MrUnix]

Welcome Cris!

First things first.. lets figure out what you got

It cannot be a 1987 23.5 as they didn't start building the 23.5s until 1993. So.. If it's an 1987, then it's probably an H23 (1985-1992).. if it's a 1997, then it's probably a 23.5.

I've seen H23s labeled as 23.5 several times and visa versa. Both are longer than 23 feet and they only differ by about 5 inches. But they are very different ballasting.. the H23 has a fixed wing keel while the 23.5 has a water ballast and drop down centerboard.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[chris.n]

Are you sure on that year (or model)? The 23.5 wasn't made until 92 or 93.

http://sailboatdata.com/view_builder.asp?builder_id=52

Have fun with it...both the 23 and 23.5 are nice boats. Just make sure the price reflects the model. (maybe if it's a newer 23.5 you shouldn't speak up??)

In fact the present owner has it listed as a 1987 23.6 I have not seen any Hunter's of that size mentioned so I assumed that he meant 23.5. I am totally new to Hunter's and will have to become more familiur tomorrow when I atually pay for the vessel.

 

[chris.n]

Welcome Cris!

First things first.. lets figure out what you got

It cannot be a 1987 23.5 as they didn't start building the 23.5s until 1993. So.. If it's an 1987, then it's probably an H23 (1985-1992).. if it's a 1997, then it's probably a 23.5.

I've seen H23s labeled as 23.5 several times and visa versa. Both are longer than 23 feet and they only differ by about 5 inches. But they are very different ballasting.. the H23 has a fixed wing keel while the 23.5 has a water ballast and drop down centerboard.

Cheers,
Brad

Thanks Brad, Here is the advertisement from craigs list:

1987 23.6' Hunter Sailboat (Cypress Creek Marina) - $2000 (Austin, TX)

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The Hunter 23.5 hull#1 debuted appx. August 15, 1991 for the model year 1992 at Smith Mountain Lake, VA by me. If the boat is a 1987 model, it is a 23 wing keel.

I pray that you enjoy a wonderful sail on your boat. Happy sailing.

Crazy Dave Condon

 

[chris.n]

Yes it looks like the boat is a Hunter 23. I looked at the section for the Hunter 23 here and that is what it appears to be. I am looking forward to going aboard tomorrow and taking stock for the first time and getting her ship shape and ready for a great sailing season. Speeking of sailing season, I guess that is spring and fall down here in Southern Texas as summer is a scorcher.

 

[MrUnix]

1987 Hunter 23

Yes it looks like the boat is a Hunter 23.

Yup, definitely an H23! Based on the photos and info in the Austin Texas Craigslist ad, it looks to be in pretty good shape and well maintained. If it looks that good in person, I would jump on that deal before someone else does! And if you need to move it, at least you will have until August to try and locate a trailer for it.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[chris.n]

I took the plung and bought the "Hunter 23" this past weekend. The whole experience of buying the boat was a very pleasant surprise. The previous owner was a great guy who I could tell has a love for sailing, but just doesn't have the time. He gave me a great deal on the boat and threw in all kinds of extras. While at his house making the deal he put a brand new hand held GPS and also new hand helld VHF radio on the table and said these are yours. What a wurprise.

A few hours later my wife and son and I were on the boat taking stock. There were all kinds of goodies on the boat too. Many things that we found were things that we had been looking at during a stop at West Marine. The boat is very well equipped. Now the boat is clean and ready for a great summer on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. We hope now that the rains will continue and the lake level will come up.

 

[Kermit]

Congratulations on a fine purchase. Our son-in-law is taking our daughter and grandchildren from Spartanburg, SC to Austin, TX and will do their (power) boating on Lake Travis. Introduce yourself when you see them.

Fair winds!

 

[chris.n]

Congratulations on a fine purchase. Our son-in-law is taking our daughter and grandchildren from Spartanburg, SC to Austin, TX and will do their (power) boating on Lake Travis. Introduce yourself when you see them.

Fair winds!

Hi Kermit,

Thanks for the congrats! The boat turned out to be in great condition and well equiped. Your son in law and family will love Austin. It is a great city with loads to do. The lake is still a litlle low from the drought, but we have had great rains the last few months and hopefully they will continue. I wave to everyone on a passing bat so if I cross paths with them I will do the same. What kind of boat do they have?

Fair Winds, and following seas to you...

Chris

 

[Kermit]

They have a 18.5 ft. center console Key West. Looks just like any other Key West in the world. The difference is they have the cutest tadpoles this side of the Mississippi River, soon to be the other side of the Mississippi.

 

[chris.n]

LOL I like your description of your grand kids. I am waiting for a few "tadpoles" of my own. Both of my son's are recently married, but concentrating on college (they say). I know that the first of my son's came along when I said the same thing to my parents so we shall see.

Take care...