Hi again Mates, What would be the difference in trailering the H22, H23 and H23.5? I have never trailered a boat before and don't want it too to be much of hassel. Which would best for trailering, and sailing? I have a 25.5 now and want to downsize. Thanks so much, PJ
- Status
2 Cents
I've had an h23 for 14 months, launched and retrieved it three times, love the boat, but I would not recommend it to anyone as a trailerable. The fixed, shallow keel takes almost all the weight on the trailer and if you don't get it positioned just right you have weight distribution and trailerability problems. And you'll need a steep ramp to keep your muffler out of the water, even with the 4-foot tongue extension that came with the trailer. I've only seen a 23.5 launched once, but it appeared to be a whole lot easier. Mac
I've had an h23 for 14 months, launched and retrieved it three times, love the boat, but I would not recommend it to anyone as a trailerable. The fixed, shallow keel takes almost all the weight on the trailer and if you don't get it positioned just right you have weight distribution and trailerability problems. And you'll need a steep ramp to keep your muffler out of the water, even with the 4-foot tongue extension that came with the trailer. I've only seen a 23.5 launched once, but it appeared to be a whole lot easier. Mac
23.5 experience
I have a 1993 23.5. It is extremely easy to launch, launches just like a powerboat. I have a new tandem trailer, and I back in until my rear truck tires are about 1 foot from the edge of the water, and the boat floats right off the trailer. Just remember to have the centerboard tied in the up position, or it will drop when it clears the trailer and serve as a nice pivot point on the ramp, causing your boat to stay in one place and the bow to blow towards the dock (yes I did it twice in a row). With the water ballast empty it floats right off, no problems. Getting it back on you have to back a little farther down the ramp becuase the boat sits lower with the ballast tank full, but its still as easy as a power boat of the same size. The boat tows very nicely with a tandem trailer, I have heard that the factory trailer is worthless though. I was lucky enought to buy my boat used, but with a brand new Tropic Trailer. My trailer has no extension, nor does it need one. I cant testify about the 22 or 23, but I have no problems trailering my 23.5. I tow it with a Chevy Avalanche, but I know it can be towed with lightweight trucks/vans as well becuase it only weighs 2000 pounds with the tank empty. So my vote goes to the 23.5.
I have a 1993 23.5. It is extremely easy to launch, launches just like a powerboat. I have a new tandem trailer, and I back in until my rear truck tires are about 1 foot from the edge of the water, and the boat floats right off the trailer. Just remember to have the centerboard tied in the up position, or it will drop when it clears the trailer and serve as a nice pivot point on the ramp, causing your boat to stay in one place and the bow to blow towards the dock (yes I did it twice in a row). With the water ballast empty it floats right off, no problems. Getting it back on you have to back a little farther down the ramp becuase the boat sits lower with the ballast tank full, but its still as easy as a power boat of the same size. The boat tows very nicely with a tandem trailer, I have heard that the factory trailer is worthless though. I was lucky enought to buy my boat used, but with a brand new Tropic Trailer. My trailer has no extension, nor does it need one. I cant testify about the 22 or 23, but I have no problems trailering my 23.5. I tow it with a Chevy Avalanche, but I know it can be towed with lightweight trucks/vans as well becuase it only weighs 2000 pounds with the tank empty. So my vote goes to the 23.5.
Oh yeah
Forgot to mention, have you seen a 23.5 in person? The cockpit is huge!! I challenge you to find a boat under 30 feet with a bigger cockpit than the 23.5, and the cabin is nice too! Don't believe the hype about sleeping 6 though, you can sleep 4 (close friends) 2 or 3 is very comfortable. The only thing I don't like is the porta-pottie under the v-berth (not much privacy and you have to wake the person on the v-berth to use it), but other than that I don't think you can go wrong with a 23.5.
Forgot to mention, have you seen a 23.5 in person? The cockpit is huge!! I challenge you to find a boat under 30 feet with a bigger cockpit than the 23.5, and the cabin is nice too! Don't believe the hype about sleeping 6 though, you can sleep 4 (close friends) 2 or 3 is very comfortable. The only thing I don't like is the porta-pottie under the v-berth (not much privacy and you have to wake the person on the v-berth to use it), but other than that I don't think you can go wrong with a 23.5.
23.5 actual weight
Brian - have you ever weighed your boat and trailer? The literature seems to say the boat is about 2000 pounds, but after I lost a bearing and replaced the entire axle, I drove over a weigh scale. Without the outboard, and nothing much inside (I had just bought the boat and was hauling it home), it weighs 3300 pounds. Add another 300 or so that would be resting on the hitch and it's a far cry from 2000 pounds. 3600 pounds on a 3500 pound axle. Go figure. I wish I had had the foresight to get a 7000-pounder when I replaced the old axle, but I had no idea that it weighed that much, or even what sizes axles came in, etc. Sheesh, I didn't even know how to sail yet... Having said all that, I launch and retrieve mine with a 1991 Dodge minivan. 3.3L V6. I added a tranny cooler when I had the hitch installed. I've towed it three times about 100 miles each time, with no problem, but this was on virtually flat highway. ...RickM...
Brian - have you ever weighed your boat and trailer? The literature seems to say the boat is about 2000 pounds, but after I lost a bearing and replaced the entire axle, I drove over a weigh scale. Without the outboard, and nothing much inside (I had just bought the boat and was hauling it home), it weighs 3300 pounds. Add another 300 or so that would be resting on the hitch and it's a far cry from 2000 pounds. 3600 pounds on a 3500 pound axle. Go figure. I wish I had had the foresight to get a 7000-pounder when I replaced the old axle, but I had no idea that it weighed that much, or even what sizes axles came in, etc. Sheesh, I didn't even know how to sail yet... Having said all that, I launch and retrieve mine with a 1991 Dodge minivan. 3.3L V6. I added a tranny cooler when I had the hitch installed. I've towed it three times about 100 miles each time, with no problem, but this was on virtually flat highway. ...RickM...
I have not weighed anything
But I have understand from Hunter that the boat weighs around 2000 ( no motor or gear), I know my tandem trailer weighs 1000, so you're accurate with your figures.
But I have understand from Hunter that the boat weighs around 2000 ( no motor or gear), I know my tandem trailer weighs 1000, so you're accurate with your figures.
H23 -23.5
Hey you helped out a lot casue I was leaning towards the 23 because it has the teak interior which I love in my 25.5, but since it so difficult to launch and retrieve maybe I will look at the 23.5, sadly they do not have teak, correct? Maybe I should look at other manufactueres 23fts with teak interiors thatt are easy to launch and retrieve (we are two women sailors). Any ideas? Or should I just bite the bullet and succumb to the difficult launch? Thanks again
Hey you helped out a lot casue I was leaning towards the 23 because it has the teak interior which I love in my 25.5, but since it so difficult to launch and retrieve maybe I will look at the 23.5, sadly they do not have teak, correct? Maybe I should look at other manufactueres 23fts with teak interiors thatt are easy to launch and retrieve (we are two women sailors). Any ideas? Or should I just bite the bullet and succumb to the difficult launch? Thanks again
H23 is the way to go
I have been sailing a H23 for the last 10 years and launching it from my trailer. My set up time is about the same as other boats at my site. You will definately have a difficult time launching and hauling the H23 if your trailer is not set up correctly. The H23 stern lifts immediately off the trailer as it backs into the water. The problem comes from the boat moving side to side in response to wind or wave action. My advise, take the boat and trailer to a good trailer shop and have them set it up. If everything is correct, sailing your H23 while launching from a trailer could be lots of fun and set up time is similar to other boats of its size.
I have been sailing a H23 for the last 10 years and launching it from my trailer. My set up time is about the same as other boats at my site. You will definately have a difficult time launching and hauling the H23 if your trailer is not set up correctly. The H23 stern lifts immediately off the trailer as it backs into the water. The problem comes from the boat moving side to side in response to wind or wave action. My advise, take the boat and trailer to a good trailer shop and have them set it up. If everything is correct, sailing your H23 while launching from a trailer could be lots of fun and set up time is similar to other boats of its size.
No teak
You're right, there is very little teak on the 23.5. That's one of the the things I like about it. I'd rather sail than refinish wood.
You're right, there is very little teak on the 23.5. That's one of the the things I like about it. I'd rather sail than refinish wood.
H23
We have the h23 and my wife and I launch it and set it up by ourselves,takes about 1 hour or so. Bob mentioned to get the trailer set up if you look in the archives there are some centering rails that help alot. We get our boat started on the trailer and sometimes have to back a little bit more to get it clear up the the front of the trailer but it launches pretty good. We used to have a Catalina 22 with a swing keel and it may have been a little bit easier to launch but not much. As for the teak we like it to. Once you do the interior teak it should last years, we used a urethane product and it looks good down below. Just more options to think about. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
We have the h23 and my wife and I launch it and set it up by ourselves,takes about 1 hour or so. Bob mentioned to get the trailer set up if you look in the archives there are some centering rails that help alot. We get our boat started on the trailer and sometimes have to back a little bit more to get it clear up the the front of the trailer but it launches pretty good. We used to have a Catalina 22 with a swing keel and it may have been a little bit easier to launch but not much. As for the teak we like it to. Once you do the interior teak it should last years, we used a urethane product and it looks good down below. Just more options to think about. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
Hunter 22 questions for the owners.
I trailer sail my Hunter 22. It is a great boat with a ton of room. Most people can't believe the space that I have inside the boat. I have no problems launching it from my trailer. I do have to watch the tides at the ramp that I usually use (don't want to be at low tide and usually an hour after or before is okay). It does have plenty to teake inside and some outside. It is a beautiful boat and it sails nicely. I have put mine through the riggors this year and it came out just fine. Another advantage to the H22 is the price. You can get one pretty cheap! If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.
I trailer sail my Hunter 22. It is a great boat with a ton of room. Most people can't believe the space that I have inside the boat. I have no problems launching it from my trailer. I do have to watch the tides at the ramp that I usually use (don't want to be at low tide and usually an hour after or before is okay). It does have plenty to teake inside and some outside. It is a beautiful boat and it sails nicely. I have put mine through the riggors this year and it came out just fine. Another advantage to the H22 is the price. You can get one pretty cheap! If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.
Hunter 22
Sorry...Don't have a question. Darn computer messed up. Anyways, Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about the Hunter 22. I got mine and it was in descent shape, with trailer, for $4000. I have done a lot of work to it to make it look even better (refinished every inch of wood on the boat, did a little painting in the interior, new graphics, a CD player, New VHF radio, new running and ancor lights, added a GPS, added a bilge pump with a float switch, added support to the rudder housing, and a few other minor things. It is strange but once I start a project, I think of another project to do to make the boat even better. Thankfully, I have almost run out of things to re-work on the boat!
Sorry...Don't have a question. Darn computer messed up. Anyways, Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about the Hunter 22. I got mine and it was in descent shape, with trailer, for $4000. I have done a lot of work to it to make it look even better (refinished every inch of wood on the boat, did a little painting in the interior, new graphics, a CD player, New VHF radio, new running and ancor lights, added a GPS, added a bilge pump with a float switch, added support to the rudder housing, and a few other minor things. It is strange but once I start a project, I think of another project to do to make the boat even better. Thankfully, I have almost run out of things to re-work on the boat!
- Status