Own a 23, crewed a 22
I am the original owner of a 1986 h23 (wonder if anyone else kept their's), and have had the pleasure of crewing on a friend's h22. I think a few things about Hunter's intent can be inferred from looking at the specifications and performance characteristics, and also at the reviews in the boat information section. I took the time to read them, and I can recommend the effort as interesting and thought provoking. Anyway, the h22 is a bit shorter on the water line, and a lot heavier than the h23, so that the h22 is a medium displacement boat and the h23 is a light displacement boat. Further the h23 has a significantly taller mast and more powerful displacment to sail area ratio. The upshot is that that the h23 accelerates better, goes a bit faster, especially off the wind, and is easier to trailer. I don't recall ever driving the h22, so I cannot speak to that. The h22 is more stable, and more roomy below. That's not merely the several additional inches of headroom, it has a roomier feel. My guess is that while the h22 is a good design, well suited to couple and family cruising (you should have heard some of the stories of dates on my friend's h22), Hunter wanted something that would appeal to the "cruiser/racer" mentality. I once had the please of overtaking a C22, looping around it and then passing it again, leaving it in my wake. The h23 is comfortable enough for weekends and one to two week cruises where you plan to anchor/dock most nights, and capable of seriously fun speed. I noted a lot of reviews talked about it being initially tender above 12-15 kts - flatten your sails and ease your main one to two inches. The other thing that comes to mind is looks - it just plain looks like it's a fast boat, and I have yet to see a photo that gives that sense of it as well as seeing one in person. As for the ineterior, at 6' tall, I don't mind the shorter headroom because I would rather be in the cockpit sailing, and the cockpit is both generous and comfortable. When I am inside, I bend over, sit or kneel, as needed. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
