Considering a Hunter-23

DeniseO30 · Feb 26, 2012

I had one. was a very nice boat. but just too small for my wants and needs. Mast is heavy for 2 people to bring down/up, Kick up rudder arrangement is weak, Transom needs Plywood or alum, for any outboard mount. It sails like a bigger boat, the young man that bought it from me a few yrs ago sailed it across Lake Erie.

isaksp00 · Feb 26, 2012

I bought a 1991 hull about 2 yrs ago, and have been pleased. I have the fixed wing keel. Had to do some refurb and cleanup, but that would happen with any 20 yr old boat. No specific warnings I can think of. Check the hoses for the thru hulls for wear, plugging, double clamps on all - drain for anchor locker, sink, cockpit drain. Since the inside of transom is accessible, as noted check any engine mount or ladder mount for backing strength.

Wanderer138 · Feb 26, 2012

I owned an H23 for over ten years and posted extensively about it. Most of those posts are in the forum archives. To sum up briefly; the H23 was fitted with one of three masts; the best by far is the Z-Spar mast with the tapered top. The H23 mast (regardless of make) is taller than most, so it's a little troublesome to rig when trailering. An A-frame mast-raising rig helps. The fixed keel makes the boat harder to get on the trailer. Check the bulkhead behind the chainplates in the cabin for rot (the caulking under the cover plate on deck needs to be checked twice a year).

The H23 makes up for its few weaknesses with a powerful, highly tunable rig and fast, responsive hull. It moves well in light air but is secure when reefed as the wind picks up. Happy sailing.

Crazy Dave Condon · Feb 29, 2012

two things to note.

If the boat comes with a KWS or Ken's Welding trailer and do not know the history on the trialer, have it checked out for bearings/racers, fender attachement wiring and if brakes, that too.

Once in a while after the boat is on the trailer after breign pulled, you will see water in the bilge. No concern as there are some areas of the stringers where water gets trapped and eventually seeps or weeps out into the bilge area. No problemo unless there are deck leaks. If there are some deck leaks, then find and plug and do check the drain hose connection from the anchor well as well as the rudder attachement on the back end of the boat

crazy dave condon

Hunter 23 · Mar 1, 2012

I have a 23, in regards to the water, I strongly suggest that you install a 6 inch inspection cover (it cost around 10$, white plastic will do) under the stair. That section of the under floor space contain around 2 buckets of water. Also you can do another hole under the porta-potti (you can get 1 bucket of water out of that space). Some people are wandering why it so humid and smelly in the inside cabin…. If you see water around your keel bolts, you have lots of water in your under floor. It’s most likely entering by the stern from the gunwale on both side.

Stay dry! and have fun

MrUnix · Mar 1, 2012

I strongly suggest that you install a 6 inch inspection cover (it cost around 10$, white plastic will do) under the stair. That section of the under floor space contain around 2 buckets of water. Also you can do another hole under the porta-potti (you can get 1 bucket of water out of that space).

Don't want to hi-jack the thread, but I would be really interested in seeing pictures of those access holes/covers and perhaps a peek at what is under there.

Cheers,
Brad

Paladin27 · Mar 3, 2012

I would like to see these holes as well. This is the first time I've heard of this and wasn't aware these spaces under the floor even existed. Please post pix!

MrUnix said:
Don't want to hi-jack the thread, but I would be really interested in seeing pictures of those access holes/covers and perhaps a peek at what is under there.

Cheers,
Brad

Jackdaw · Mar 3, 2012

Crazy Dave Condon said:
two things to note.

If the boat comes with a KWS or Ken's Welding trailer and do not know the history on the trialer, have it checked out for bearings/racers, fender attachement wiring and if brakes, that too.

Once in a while after the boat is on the trailer after breign pulled, you will see water in the bilge. No concern as there are some areas of the stringers where water gets trapped and eventually seeps or weeps out into the bilge area. No problemo unless there are deck leaks. If there are some deck leaks, then find and plug and do check the drain hose connection from the anchor well as well as the rudder attachement on the back end of the boat

crazy dave condon

Crazy Dave is a bottomless well of amazing Hunter detail. Hunter folks are blessed by the fact that he is here.

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 5, 2012

I enjoy telling you what I know and feel blessed from God to allow me to do so.
That is the reason.

crazy Daveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

carboman · Mar 5, 2012

I just rebuilt the main support areas of my trailer. Post back if you want pics. I also cut out the cabin floor section just in front of the step. Mine was dry.

Dave

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 6, 2012

DNfrrr;

I too own a PRecision 15 and that is a fun little boat.

Where are you located? If on the east coast, I will be glad to give you a name and phone number for a fellow who has the specs on your boat if looking at new trailers.

Crazy Dave davecondon@mindspring.com

carboman · Mar 13, 2012

h

Paladin27 said:
I would like to see these holes as well. This is the first time I've heard of this and wasn't aware these spaces under the floor even existed. Please post pix!

Hunter 23 · Mar 14, 2012

Sorry about not answering about the inspection trap!! I ‘been busy at night lately ... and after a quick look at my pics, I have none.
I have to say that "Carboman" clearly illustrated the space under the floor and he definitely means business when he starts a project! I guess the floor was soft ! Show us a picture when you finish.

Happy sailing!

grindz145 · Mar 25, 2012

Inspection Port

Hey guys. Thanks for all the info. I took you're advise and added a port hole. Check out the pictures I took of the work.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1001...ms/5723985506454918865?authkey=CIaFvMDa2ZOZCg

It was a good thing I did! It was completely filled with water. Probably about a gallon, even though the actual bilge was near dry.

Now I can be confident that it won't get damp in the boat, and if there is water in there, I'll know about it.

Thanks!
-Troy

Paladin27 · Mar 26, 2012

Troy, that port hole idea is great! Thanks for posting those pics! I am going to be unwrapping my boat probably this week sometime... I am strongly considering doing something similar. Now that I know about this space under the cabin, I really want to be sure it's dry!

grindz145 · Mar 26, 2012

Paladin27 said:
Troy, that port hole idea is great! Thanks for posting those pics! I am going to be unwrapping my boat probably this week sometime... I am strongly considering doing something similar. Now that I know about this space under the cabin, I really want to be sure it's dry!

No problem. My fiance and I have been enjoying your videos all winter dreaming of launching our boat. I haven't even sailed my boat yet and I'm already cutting holes in the floor

Bill Leathen · Mar 27, 2012

Hunter 23 floor gap?

These pictures and your post have me confused. When I lift the wooden floor boards on my H23, I see keel bolts in a slightly recessed well. I always assumed that if I were to drill a hole there (which I have no intention of doing) I would come through the hull to the outside of the boat, or possibly into the top of the iron keel. Are you guys saying there is a fiberglass structure under there and there is a gap between that structure and my floor??

Considering a Hunter-23

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