H23 wing keel / 23.5 water ballast
Ray, The 23 and the 23.5 are 2 different boats. I am fortunate enough to have owned both. I owned the wing keel 23 in the 90s and currently own a 23.5. The interior is similar and both have quite a bit more room than the C22. When I owned the H23 wing keel, my best friend owned a C22. Since he lived next door, a side by side comparison was easy. Keep in mind, the C22 is less than 22 feet and the 23 & 23.5 are both larger than 23 feet. The H26 is a 'water ballast' boat and if you were happy with it, then you'll be happy with the H23.5 waterballast. I like mine a lot. I'm 6'2" and 240lb. I'm very comfortable in my 23.5. I have the canvas enclosure that I install when anchored for the night. It give me standing headroom under the enclosure. The head isn't enclosed. It's under the V berth behind the starboard curtain. I'll try to get you actual dimensions of the cabin size tomorrow. "Trailering is a must"...Definately go with the water ballast 23.5. The H23 wing keel was nearly impossible to launch and retrieve with the average pamp. The H23 Mast was a bear to raise due to the lack of a mast raising system. I kept my H23 at a slip at the local marina. When you look at a H23.5 and you find one that DOESN'T have a Roller Furler, Don't let it be a 'deal breaker'. My H23.5 has a roller furler that I'm planning to remove it. I trailer 100% if the time and the RF makes the mast quite a bit heavier and more difficult to raise. I'll use the 'hank on' jib for 'daysailing' and use the RF for 'trips'. I'll have to buy a new jib if I remove the RF. Hope this helps, Mike
