Has anyone purchased a new trailer for a Hunter 23 (wing keel)? If so, where did you get it, what brand & model, how much? The reason I ask is that today I purchased 1986 H-23. The trailer that came with it is in tough shape, and really does not fit the boat properly. It took two marina workers and me 2.5 hours to get the boat fitted enough to the trailer (wedging boards onto the bunks, etc.) so that I could safely make the 2 hr trip back to my home. I intended to trailer sail it, but realize that it will be impossible with this trailer. Thanks! Kris Cox (cox@teknabooks.com)
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Gary Adams
Good luck!
Kris, I also have an 86 hunter 23. I would advise you to read some of the postings about trailering a 23 and the most recent trailering help for 23 needed. I have submitted many questions about the same problems you have and WILL have trailering this boat. I am looking at using the existing trailer, which is galvanized, and having some modifications made. Someone else posted information within this last week about replacing their axle. They used a 3500 lb axle. The boat came with a 2500 lb axle on the trailer. My problems have been: 1) Poor launching, while it is not too bad I am trying to find a better solution. Make sure you have a tongue extension to get the trailer DEEP in the water. 2) difficulty retrieving. I have since taking it out of the water, made a keel guide using 2x6 treated wood. I have also added side bars bolted on the trailer to line it up in the middle of the trailer. 3) High center of gravity. I am looking at a drop tandem axle setup to lower the trailer. I hate the high wind resistance and the single axle. 4) Trailer waggle. This was caused by not enough tongue weight. I moved the boat forward about 3 inches and it improved. I also replaced the tires, which were radials, to an 8 ply generic brand. Boy, did this help. Most of the 23 owners love their boats as do I. The trailer set up is a very poor design, Hey hunter get a clue. I am looking at using a 3500 lb tandem axle. I would like to have the drop axles, and want to make a drop design in the trailer as well. I looked at a Catalina with a drop trailer today, and several IO's at the local dealers. My dealers are giving prices from 5-9000 clams. I am pricing out axles thru a trailer dealer, and working with someone locally, that designs and builds boat trailers. I will probably have the trailer designer modify this trailer. He said it would be about half or better less than a new one. You may want to search the internet for trailer manufacturers like shorelander and see what they say. You were not specific but, is this trailer you have now the original one and what is it made of? I hope this will help you. If you need more information, e-mail me direct gladams@mtco.com I will keep you up on my progress. Gary
Kris, I also have an 86 hunter 23. I would advise you to read some of the postings about trailering a 23 and the most recent trailering help for 23 needed. I have submitted many questions about the same problems you have and WILL have trailering this boat. I am looking at using the existing trailer, which is galvanized, and having some modifications made. Someone else posted information within this last week about replacing their axle. They used a 3500 lb axle. The boat came with a 2500 lb axle on the trailer. My problems have been: 1) Poor launching, while it is not too bad I am trying to find a better solution. Make sure you have a tongue extension to get the trailer DEEP in the water. 2) difficulty retrieving. I have since taking it out of the water, made a keel guide using 2x6 treated wood. I have also added side bars bolted on the trailer to line it up in the middle of the trailer. 3) High center of gravity. I am looking at a drop tandem axle setup to lower the trailer. I hate the high wind resistance and the single axle. 4) Trailer waggle. This was caused by not enough tongue weight. I moved the boat forward about 3 inches and it improved. I also replaced the tires, which were radials, to an 8 ply generic brand. Boy, did this help. Most of the 23 owners love their boats as do I. The trailer set up is a very poor design, Hey hunter get a clue. I am looking at using a 3500 lb tandem axle. I would like to have the drop axles, and want to make a drop design in the trailer as well. I looked at a Catalina with a drop trailer today, and several IO's at the local dealers. My dealers are giving prices from 5-9000 clams. I am pricing out axles thru a trailer dealer, and working with someone locally, that designs and builds boat trailers. I will probably have the trailer designer modify this trailer. He said it would be about half or better less than a new one. You may want to search the internet for trailer manufacturers like shorelander and see what they say. You were not specific but, is this trailer you have now the original one and what is it made of? I hope this will help you. If you need more information, e-mail me direct gladams@mtco.com I will keep you up on my progress. Gary
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mike43067
bottom line
I have no great problems pulling or rigging my 23. But, I think the bottom line on the 23 is that it is a great boat for keeping at a dock, but a pain to trailer on a regular basis. I certainly wouldn't want to trailer it very far or have to rig it everytime I used it. It wouldn't get used much. I know this from 10 years of trailer sailing a smaller boat which was much easier to rig and pull.
I have no great problems pulling or rigging my 23. But, I think the bottom line on the 23 is that it is a great boat for keeping at a dock, but a pain to trailer on a regular basis. I certainly wouldn't want to trailer it very far or have to rig it everytime I used it. It wouldn't get used much. I know this from 10 years of trailer sailing a smaller boat which was much easier to rig and pull.
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Kris Cox
Hmmm
Thanks for the quick responses, guys! I'm getting the impression that the factory trailer was not the tandem axle one that came with my boat? This would explain why it doesn't fit quite right. I think I'll need to find a mooring for my boat for a few weeks to make some trailer mods (barely worth it as the trailer is pretty shakey anyway). Mayby I'll eventually resign myself to taking a second mortgage in order to pay what slip fees cost around here. Finances aside, I agree that keeping the boat in the water is ideal.
Thanks for the quick responses, guys! I'm getting the impression that the factory trailer was not the tandem axle one that came with my boat? This would explain why it doesn't fit quite right. I think I'll need to find a mooring for my boat for a few weeks to make some trailer mods (barely worth it as the trailer is pretty shakey anyway). Mayby I'll eventually resign myself to taking a second mortgage in order to pay what slip fees cost around here. Finances aside, I agree that keeping the boat in the water is ideal.
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Mark N
Modified Stink Pot Trailer?
A few years ago, a good friend bought a 90 H23 without a trailer. He found a trailer dealer in the Daytona area who modified a motor boat trailor for his H23. The dealer used the original factory trailer from my 86 H23 as a guide. Bottom line is that he got a tandem trailer which is better than my original for about a grand.
A few years ago, a good friend bought a 90 H23 without a trailer. He found a trailer dealer in the Daytona area who modified a motor boat trailor for his H23. The dealer used the original factory trailer from my 86 H23 as a guide. Bottom line is that he got a tandem trailer which is better than my original for about a grand.
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Dave Condon
Trailer
The trailer that came with your boat was probably a KWS. Ken passed away who made those trailers for Hunter but let me suggest you contact Ron Frisosky who can help you with a new trailer made by Performance. Phone number is 941-923-3382. Ron will put you in touch with the nearest dealer and will also give you the specifics of what you need. Happy Sailing
The trailer that came with your boat was probably a KWS. Ken passed away who made those trailers for Hunter but let me suggest you contact Ron Frisosky who can help you with a new trailer made by Performance. Phone number is 941-923-3382. Ron will put you in touch with the nearest dealer and will also give you the specifics of what you need. Happy Sailing
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