I m buying a Hunter 23, used, mid 80's production the boat is on water, so there is no way I can check the bottom and the swing keel. what signs do I have to look for to make sure the boat in good shape? This is my first venture to the sailboat environment. how may sails as standard option? 2? can it use a spinnaker ? optional or unavailable?the sail lines seems rotten (sun/rain). Is it reasonable to replace ? what length do I have to buy? what kind of material is the best for the use? the tiller seems rotten too, is it expensive to replace? Any information and suggestions are very much appreciated !
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Gary Bridi
Suggestion
Id suggest a survey. I bought a 23 (1992) a few years ago and it was worth every dollad, The small items he found gave me more leverage to have the seller reduce the peice. In addition, the peace of mind that there were no major problems was a plus. Gppd luck. Gary Bridi
Id suggest a survey. I bought a 23 (1992) a few years ago and it was worth every dollad, The small items he found gave me more leverage to have the seller reduce the peice. In addition, the peace of mind that there were no major problems was a plus. Gppd luck. Gary Bridi
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mikeepp
my 2 cents
Don't spend too much time looking for the swing keel.........she don't have one. Bottom sides should be fine.......no moving parts.......provided you don't find water under the floor boards. The lines can and should be replaced.......you can pick up a standard set at West Marine. Rotten tiller doesn't sound good but it can be replaced. Check for leaking around the windows too.......and general care the boats been given. Don't pay much for a bad condition boat. My '87 in very fine shape cost $6500.
Don't spend too much time looking for the swing keel.........she don't have one. Bottom sides should be fine.......no moving parts.......provided you don't find water under the floor boards. The lines can and should be replaced.......you can pick up a standard set at West Marine. Rotten tiller doesn't sound good but it can be replaced. Check for leaking around the windows too.......and general care the boats been given. Don't pay much for a bad condition boat. My '87 in very fine shape cost $6500.
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Jerry
Do the Survey
Mich, At minimum, I'd suggest that you get an experienced sailor to look at the boat with you. My insurance company required a survey before they would insure the boat. A survey is a good investment and you might as well do it before you buy the boat if you have to do it anyway. If the boat is in a marina, ask the marina or some of your sailing friends to recommend a surveyor. They are licensed and experienced at inspecting hulls and engines. I have a 1986 H23. It came with a 100% Jib and the mainsail. The first owner also bought a genoa which you'll need in light air. My H23 looked rough when I bought it, but the sails, lines and fiberglass were all in good shape. The wood trim, rub-rail, etc. are all replaceable at a nominal cost. Wood trim that looks awful can be refinished to look great if is isn't rotten. If the tiller is rotten, you may need to replace it, but don't give up on it too quick. Sanding, some epoxy, and a few coats of good varnish may be all it needs. A marine supply house like Boat US or the one associated with this site will carry them. There is a lot of stuff about H23's in the archieves. Regards, Jerry
Mich, At minimum, I'd suggest that you get an experienced sailor to look at the boat with you. My insurance company required a survey before they would insure the boat. A survey is a good investment and you might as well do it before you buy the boat if you have to do it anyway. If the boat is in a marina, ask the marina or some of your sailing friends to recommend a surveyor. They are licensed and experienced at inspecting hulls and engines. I have a 1986 H23. It came with a 100% Jib and the mainsail. The first owner also bought a genoa which you'll need in light air. My H23 looked rough when I bought it, but the sails, lines and fiberglass were all in good shape. The wood trim, rub-rail, etc. are all replaceable at a nominal cost. Wood trim that looks awful can be refinished to look great if is isn't rotten. If the tiller is rotten, you may need to replace it, but don't give up on it too quick. Sanding, some epoxy, and a few coats of good varnish may be all it needs. A marine supply house like Boat US or the one associated with this site will carry them. There is a lot of stuff about H23's in the archieves. Regards, Jerry
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mich t.
hunter 23
Thanks for all the help !!!! one last thing come to my mind, Is it possible to take the mast down in order to trailer the boat to home for storage. How long does it take? and how hard is it ? Does the wing keel pose a problem for load/unload and trailering ? I m very much grateful for the help of all experience sailors -)
Thanks for all the help !!!! one last thing come to my mind, Is it possible to take the mast down in order to trailer the boat to home for storage. How long does it take? and how hard is it ? Does the wing keel pose a problem for load/unload and trailering ? I m very much grateful for the help of all experience sailors -)
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Keith Lynip
Hunter 23 condition and trailering
We recently purchased an '87 Hunter 23 in very clean condition for $5000. (Which seems to us to be a great value.)It came with a trailer that was designed for the boat. I believe Hunter sold these boats as sail-away packages including trailer, outboard, and sails. It's not a heavy boat (I think about 3000 lbs.). We pulled it with an Isuzu Trooper. So, yes the mast does come down. Perhaps the current owner still has the brochure for doing this? Or, certainly would be able to talk you through this. It's something that can be done easily with two people.
We recently purchased an '87 Hunter 23 in very clean condition for $5000. (Which seems to us to be a great value.)It came with a trailer that was designed for the boat. I believe Hunter sold these boats as sail-away packages including trailer, outboard, and sails. It's not a heavy boat (I think about 3000 lbs.). We pulled it with an Isuzu Trooper. So, yes the mast does come down. Perhaps the current owner still has the brochure for doing this? Or, certainly would be able to talk you through this. It's something that can be done easily with two people.
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Jerry
Trailoring the H23
Mich, Raising and lower the mast isn't too bad for two people. The mast crutch (sits on the rudder pivot pins) for my H23 isn't tall enough. If I lower the mast to sit on it, it crushes the hinged hatch cover. I had to make a taller crutch to use temporarily whille lowering the mast. There are lots of good articles in the archives about raising and lowering the mast. Try to get the current owner to show you how to retrieve the boat and lower the mast. I find it harder to put the boat on the trailor than it is to launch it, but since I only launch once per year, its not a big problem. The boat tows easily if you get it all the way on the trailor so you have enough tongue weight. I remove the engine and rudder and put them in the back of my truck. You asked earlier about flying a spinnaker from the H23. You can do it, but you have to add two additional halyards; 1 at the top of the mast for the spinnaker, and 1 below or alongside the jib halyard to support the pole. You would also have to add some track and a sliding car to the front of the mast. Regards, Jerry
Mich, Raising and lower the mast isn't too bad for two people. The mast crutch (sits on the rudder pivot pins) for my H23 isn't tall enough. If I lower the mast to sit on it, it crushes the hinged hatch cover. I had to make a taller crutch to use temporarily whille lowering the mast. There are lots of good articles in the archives about raising and lowering the mast. Try to get the current owner to show you how to retrieve the boat and lower the mast. I find it harder to put the boat on the trailor than it is to launch it, but since I only launch once per year, its not a big problem. The boat tows easily if you get it all the way on the trailor so you have enough tongue weight. I remove the engine and rudder and put them in the back of my truck. You asked earlier about flying a spinnaker from the H23. You can do it, but you have to add two additional halyards; 1 at the top of the mast for the spinnaker, and 1 below or alongside the jib halyard to support the pole. You would also have to add some track and a sliding car to the front of the mast. Regards, Jerry
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Darrel Richards
Buy Mine
Mich, If your interested in a h23 that is in GOOD shape, why not buy mine. Its a 1988 model. It has the original 100%, a 135% that is in its 3rd season and a main thats in its 2 season. We have a one year old Suzuki 6 HP kicker outboard. The boat has been used for weekending, and light racing in the Florida Keys and now in SE Florida. I am asking $6500. The boat has a fixed wing keel that draws only 2'6". Great boat have had lots of great sailing fun. We know want to move up to a larger boat. Let me know if you would like more info. at srichards1@aol.com. Darrel Richards s/v Wind Dancer srichards1@aol.com
Mich, If your interested in a h23 that is in GOOD shape, why not buy mine. Its a 1988 model. It has the original 100%, a 135% that is in its 3rd season and a main thats in its 2 season. We have a one year old Suzuki 6 HP kicker outboard. The boat has been used for weekending, and light racing in the Florida Keys and now in SE Florida. I am asking $6500. The boat has a fixed wing keel that draws only 2'6". Great boat have had lots of great sailing fun. We know want to move up to a larger boat. Let me know if you would like more info. at srichards1@aol.com. Darrel Richards s/v Wind Dancer srichards1@aol.com
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