I'm told that a H23 with the fixed wing keel is too awkward to trailer. I have a fantasy of taking this boat to sail on various lakes. Any issues that you know of that won't let me trailer this boat? Jerry
Can a Hunter 23 be trailered
- Thread starter Walkntalk
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I have trailered mine, but around 30mph and only 5-7 miles tops. Just seemed to bounce around a bit more than I liked. I have a 2007 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab with the 256HP V6. Truck was fine, just was freaked out about going faster. I was on a few bumpy roads and a few smooth ones. I would try again on a less traveled road where you can get it up in speed and see how it feels. We have the same trailer. Make sure your tires are load rated and inflated right. Mine are at 50 lbs of air each.
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Just make sure in advance that the launching ramp you intend to use is long enough and deep enough to float the boat. It helps if your trailer has a tongue extension. I don't think the trailering is the awkward part but the launching and retrieving in some lakes might be.
AS with anything, there will be a learning curve. Is there a trailer already underneath the boat and can you tell me who the manufacturer is. Specifically is it the KWS or Ken's Welding. There are several things to note. Are the fenders original and can you post a photo of how the fenders are attached. Are the Bearings/Racers in the hub original and if so, I would consider new ones for example by Tiempken. Are the tires dry rot and if so, replace them. Can you determine if 10% of the entire load is on the trailer tongue to include boat, trailer and motor for safety purposes of towing. Is the keel tray boards along with the bunk boards serviceable? Now for the most important part. Does the trailer have surge brakes? If not I would consider them and if the original axle, they can be added and that sir is a very important item when towing.
When you have a wing keel sailboat, it sits higher than a swing keel; thus, the center of gravity is higher and will tend to sway a lot more and without the safety factor of the tongue weight, proper positioning of the axle and most important brakes, the trailer could sway on you during transport. Most would immediately brake the tow vehicle but without brakes on the trailer, the swaying would become worse like I first experienced as a dealer but now retired. I leaned you would have to accelerate first to pull the sway out and then brake slowly not going more than 50-55 lmph tops.
So let us know what the condition of the trailer, mfg and some answers that I posed to this.
When you have a wing keel sailboat, it sits higher than a swing keel; thus, the center of gravity is higher and will tend to sway a lot more and without the safety factor of the tongue weight, proper positioning of the axle and most important brakes, the trailer could sway on you during transport. Most would immediately brake the tow vehicle but without brakes on the trailer, the swaying would become worse like I first experienced as a dealer but now retired. I leaned you would have to accelerate first to pull the sway out and then brake slowly not going more than 50-55 lmph tops.
So let us know what the condition of the trailer, mfg and some answers that I posed to this.
Thank you one and all for your feedback. You and my wife helped me to make the decision to sell the boat. Asking $1,900 if you know of anyone interested.
Jerry
Jerry
I have a Hunter 23, with the original galvanized trailer. New brakes, bearings, and tires. With adjustments to the trailer bunks, and the addition of guides, my son and I have trailered 200+ miles and set up without a problem. We've taken our boat to both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Set-up or take down takes about 45 minutes. It easily trailers behind our Nissan Titan, with out any concern, at 60 -70 mph. I wouldn't give up on that boat yet! Beautiful opportunities are waiting!!
Beautiful photo. I would still not suggest 70 mph on trailering that boat due to safety but sounds like you have the trailer brakes and if so, always make sure they are operational.
Jerry,
The best reason for buying a boat with a wing keel is the trade off between stability and the ease of trailering. According to Sailboat data, the Hunter 23 is about 2500 lbs, vs our Catalina 270 which is 6500 lbs. I can guess that my trailer is considerably heavier than yours, and the whole thing requires a significant truck. At last weigh, we were just over 10,000 lbs. Our previous boat was a Mac26c, and that set the standard for launch/retrieve, that being in a roadside puddle. The Mac is about 1000 lbs lighter than the Hunter, and how many Mac's do you see rolling down the highway.... There is no reason why you cannot trailer that boat. (except of course in the picture where you have to lower that stick thing)
Up here in the frozen north, everybody (EVERYBODY) trailers. There are just various degrees of the definition, trailer condition, tow vehicle, etc. Most boats are easily an hour from the lake, and there are quite a few (us included) who choose not to be bound by the proximity of water. We've been over some of the nastiest mountain passes on the west side of NA many many times, and except in one case where we finished off an already warped rotor outside Denver, we've always exercised good, safe judgement, and will continue to do so. Trailering is a fabulous way to explore.
And the best part (at the risk of annoying anybody with an rv) is the ability to pull into an rv park, see the folks with the jaws on the ground, haul out the barby, stick it on the rail and throw on a couple of drippy (read: smokey!) burgers.
I disagree with the naysayers. If the boat is properly loaded, the trailer in good condition and the tow vehicle is adequate, and there's a good driver involved, towing is not an issue. Take away any one of those things and you've got a potential problem.
Cheers
Gary
Hunter 23 Trailering
First and Foremost: I highly recommend a bow roller if trailering a hunter 23. Mine trailer was was manufactured without one. The original trailer shows no evidence there was one(some where maybe a change in the series). This means the only thing supporting the 2400+lbs from the siderails forward is the keel. The bow is not supported until it touches the rubber bow stops. The bottom of the wing keel is creates a lot of friction on the center keel slide on the trailer-especialy if its carpeted.
1. If your H23 trailer does not have a bow roller, with the boat on the trailer, weld a or bolt bracket to the center beam(that connects to tounge) that is slightly lifting the bow, that way when you pull it on the trailer the keel is not dragging more and more as the boat exits the water.
2. Another issue is the bow hook pulls out because it is poorly supported from behind. There is an enormous amount of stress on that when pulling the boat up. On my Hunter they should have added a 6" piece of aluminum or SS backer. I have read other posts complaining about this. I have yet to do this on mine. One gentleman used a piece of heavy SS tube pounded with a hammer to conform to the crotch. It is hard to get into that part of the bow through the front berth access hole.
3. My boat is kept in Manitowoc WI witch is considered by some one of the better Marina's on Lake Michigan. Therefore, its boat launch is nice, but not considered steep. Not shallow either. I had to rig an extension bar on the tounge to get the boat to float off the trailer. The last guy said he had to back the tailgate into the water. Consider buying a tounge extension for your trailer. I've seen them sold on the web. Or, have a fab shop make one out of heavy duty square steel tube(at least 3/16-1/4 think steel tube) 1/8" flexes to much.
Keep in mind, it is more difficult to launch then a motorboat. Your hull is raised up over a foot higher. I would not go to an unknown harbor without doing some investigation on the launch, or calling a the marina if present. In summary, I would consider it borderline trailer-able unless your are using steep boat launches.
On the positive side, knowing that your keel is fixed and not worrying about mechanical or leakage issues with a swing keel is nice and the boat sails well.
First and Foremost: I highly recommend a bow roller if trailering a hunter 23. Mine trailer was was manufactured without one. The original trailer shows no evidence there was one(some where maybe a change in the series). This means the only thing supporting the 2400+lbs from the siderails forward is the keel. The bow is not supported until it touches the rubber bow stops. The bottom of the wing keel is creates a lot of friction on the center keel slide on the trailer-especialy if its carpeted.
1. If your H23 trailer does not have a bow roller, with the boat on the trailer, weld a or bolt bracket to the center beam(that connects to tounge) that is slightly lifting the bow, that way when you pull it on the trailer the keel is not dragging more and more as the boat exits the water.
2. Another issue is the bow hook pulls out because it is poorly supported from behind. There is an enormous amount of stress on that when pulling the boat up. On my Hunter they should have added a 6" piece of aluminum or SS backer. I have read other posts complaining about this. I have yet to do this on mine. One gentleman used a piece of heavy SS tube pounded with a hammer to conform to the crotch. It is hard to get into that part of the bow through the front berth access hole.
3. My boat is kept in Manitowoc WI witch is considered by some one of the better Marina's on Lake Michigan. Therefore, its boat launch is nice, but not considered steep. Not shallow either. I had to rig an extension bar on the tounge to get the boat to float off the trailer. The last guy said he had to back the tailgate into the water. Consider buying a tounge extension for your trailer. I've seen them sold on the web. Or, have a fab shop make one out of heavy duty square steel tube(at least 3/16-1/4 think steel tube) 1/8" flexes to much.
Keep in mind, it is more difficult to launch then a motorboat. Your hull is raised up over a foot higher. I would not go to an unknown harbor without doing some investigation on the launch, or calling a the marina if present. In summary, I would consider it borderline trailer-able unless your are using steep boat launches.
On the positive side, knowing that your keel is fixed and not worrying about mechanical or leakage issues with a swing keel is nice and the boat sails well.
do you have brakes on the trailer being maintained????? I did loose a new 23 due to no brakes once bringing it home to VA to my dealership and I was only going 55. A truck came left of center but without brakes and not knowing to pull out first and brake, I lost the car, boat and trailer and only by the Grace of God I was spared from death.