Cruising on a Hunter 23.5

[tallswede]

When I bought my 23.5, I did so with the idea I would do some cruising up and down the Texas Coast and later, beyond. I haven't seen much in the way of articles on these boats doing this type of cruising but it seems that is what they are made for. I've seen lots of stuff about the Mac 26s doing this, including some pretty good trips to the Bahamas and back. I was hoping someone here could relate their cruising experiences on the Hunter 23.5 or point me to some websites you have found. I plan to do some mods to my boat this winter and maybe take some week long trips next year. I'm using this year to learn the boat and make repairs (like a new centerboard uphaul line) and upgrades like rope cluthes and spinlocks for the jib sheets. I'll be ordering new canvas from this site soon as well. If you have other mods you suggest for light duty cruising, I'd love to hear them too. Have gotten some great ideas from the owners mods section.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[Forrest15112]

I've had my 23.5 for 16 years and have done very little cruising of the sort you are eferring. I have sailed from New Orleans to the Miss. Gulf Coast and trailered to exotic destinations like Biloxi. Actually, the few trips like that were some of the best memories on my boat. The dealer I purchased from had suggested to trailer the boat somewhere down the Florida coast, not too far, like Panama City. Put the boat in a slip for a week and catch a Bus down there the following weekend, sail toward home, get another slip for a week or so, catch the bus, etc. until you completed the entire trip. I would still like to do something like that but maybe not so far away. I may plan something as the weather begins to cool down some.

 

[RichB]

Get her ready for some cruising next year. There are some great destinations in Florida like snorkling for scallops (June 28 til ___) off Steinhatchee. to Lobstering in the keys and diving in the Dry Tortugas. All within the capability of my 23 and your 23.5. I say that because I think it would be fun to get some trailer sailors together for some cruising. The only other activity on my calendar is the Good Old Boat Regatta in Tampa Bay, mid January. Summer brings Tstorms but usually are fairly quick and small. Contact me at rbarton@cfl.rr.com if you have any interest. There are other 23s I know on the west coast. regards RichB

 

[timanddebra]

Just bought a 23.5 '96. Hope to be sailing out of Panama City during late August and early Sept. Went from a precision 16 to to H23.5. It's gona be fun.

 

[Bill Jones]

I've owned a 23.5 for 15 years and never thought of her as a coastal cruiser. I have trailered to Florida and daysailed her for a week at a time on protected bays, but didn't go outside. I don't like the idea of taking boats with outboard engines in big seas. Also, as tender as the 23.5 sails, I would not want to risk getting caught in bad weather/sea conditions.

I've done offshore sailing in a larger boat and love it! The prudent sailor doesn't ask more of the vessel than she's designed for.

 

[tallswede]

I would not be trying to do extended cruising or offshore sailing except in good weather. The boat is definately not a "blue water" boat and doesn't have enough room or storage for liveaboard status, but a long camp cruise should be just fine. The Texas Gulf Coast has many short hops between ports, barrier islands and the Intercoastal waterway that connect the various bays. There are lots of interesting places to go for a boat with shoal draft. I can do short hops in the gulf on nice days and meander my way all the way to Florida in protected waters if I want to. I do think the Bahamas might be doable in this boat with a good eye to weather.

Kevin

 

[soling42]

Tallsweed has it right. These boats shine as gunkholers and weekenders which, as it sounds, will be right up their alley as they move up in size. We had a 240 and found it was really nice to cruise down the coast or get up into quiet shallow spots to anchor where most sailboats wouldn't dare to go.

5 years ago we moved up to a roomier '04 260 but while a few 23.5/240/26/260 have traveled to the Bahamas I find there is plenty of room to sail without taking the boat beyond its design limits.

Choose the weather window carefully and have a safe harbor plan for your open water crossings and it should be fine but you must know that these boats are lightweight trailer boats and they do what they're designed to do well. Day sailing in the gulf is a joy but open water in anything over 25kts will be quite sobering.

We can do up to 2 weeks on-board our 260 and feel confident we could weather a few hours offshore in a blow but it wouldn't be fun. I've been all over the boat, know its weak spots & strengths and have it rigged for longer cruises. That said, I know the boats limits and leave a wide safety margin too. It's a fine coastal boat within reason (and it goes upwind at 60mph pretty darn good too).

Have fun, be safe and enjoy your new sled.

Mike

 

[Scubagirl62]

I'm not a novice sailor but, I'm sorry, I would be hugging the coast in our 235! It would never handle the pop up of a big blow (in my opinion).