Is a Hunter 23 easy to launch and to set up. It seems high on the trailer. I wonder if I would be able to launch it everywhere. I want a trailerable sailboat for 4 adults, is it a good choice?
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K
Kevin
Trailerability of H23
C. Benny: Yes the Hunter 23 is trailerable but not all launching ramps are steep enough for launch and recovery. Generally ramps designed to accommodate the big twin-axle trailers for the go-fast boats are steep enough. You might find the H23 cramped for overnighting 4 adults. The cockpit easily accommodates 3 adults per side so on this basis I would say the boat accommodates 3 adults. - Kevin.
C. Benny: Yes the Hunter 23 is trailerable but not all launching ramps are steep enough for launch and recovery. Generally ramps designed to accommodate the big twin-axle trailers for the go-fast boats are steep enough. You might find the H23 cramped for overnighting 4 adults. The cockpit easily accommodates 3 adults per side so on this basis I would say the boat accommodates 3 adults. - Kevin.
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Bob Zanowicz
Trailerable? Define trailerable
If you mean trailerable as in every time you use the boat, I would say no. I own a 1987 model and I must say in all honesty, trailering this boat is one, perhaps the only negative (in my opinion) associated with H23 wing keel. It does sit high on trailer ( step ladder required) and stepping the mast can be a real chore. At least a 3 man job unless you have one of those gin-pole mechanisms devised on one of these web sites. Even with the extending, telescoping tongue, launching can be tricky. You need a steep ramp or your tow vehicle will be underwater. I put mine in the spring and take out in the fall with a seasonal slip. For towing I would recommend a vehicle that has at 5,000# towing capacity. Bob
If you mean trailerable as in every time you use the boat, I would say no. I own a 1987 model and I must say in all honesty, trailering this boat is one, perhaps the only negative (in my opinion) associated with H23 wing keel. It does sit high on trailer ( step ladder required) and stepping the mast can be a real chore. At least a 3 man job unless you have one of those gin-pole mechanisms devised on one of these web sites. Even with the extending, telescoping tongue, launching can be tricky. You need a steep ramp or your tow vehicle will be underwater. I put mine in the spring and take out in the fall with a seasonal slip. For towing I would recommend a vehicle that has at 5,000# towing capacity. Bob
h23 trailer
Have had our h23 for 7 years, it is in all respects a very good boat, there is a plethora of info here about this boat in the archives, also a good group of 23 owners that I am sure you will hear from,like many others I put mine in and take it out one time per season, Ward N put his on a trailer and pulled it from Iowa to compete in the nationals , I would n ot want to set up and take down every weekend, if I had to I would sail less than I do , having said that , it really depends on many factors, there are some boats that would be much easier to trailer , the 240 and the 260 , where I sail , water depth is a problem so for me the 23 is ideal, Clif R used to trailer his 25.5 I dont think I would have done that, If you are serious about buying the boat, have some one go thru the set up for u and then decide, , good luck, Mike B
Have had our h23 for 7 years, it is in all respects a very good boat, there is a plethora of info here about this boat in the archives, also a good group of 23 owners that I am sure you will hear from,like many others I put mine in and take it out one time per season, Ward N put his on a trailer and pulled it from Iowa to compete in the nationals , I would n ot want to set up and take down every weekend, if I had to I would sail less than I do , having said that , it really depends on many factors, there are some boats that would be much easier to trailer , the 240 and the 260 , where I sail , water depth is a problem so for me the 23 is ideal, Clif R used to trailer his 25.5 I dont think I would have done that, If you are serious about buying the boat, have some one go thru the set up for u and then decide, , good luck, Mike B
23 trailering
As a follow up and not to disagree with a previous responder, my wife and I regularlly set up and take down the mast by ourselves, we do it by using a plank to walk the mast up, much about this in the archives, all in all, the positives of the boat for me far out way the negatives, and I would buy another, it just fits us , if water depth was not a problem I might think about another model,however there are lots of posts here and in the other sections , , ie catalina.oday etc, with issues with retractable keels/cb etc,sticking , jammed, broken lines, so read up , before u make your decision, , A happy 23 owner, , Mike B
As a follow up and not to disagree with a previous responder, my wife and I regularlly set up and take down the mast by ourselves, we do it by using a plank to walk the mast up, much about this in the archives, all in all, the positives of the boat for me far out way the negatives, and I would buy another, it just fits us , if water depth was not a problem I might think about another model,however there are lots of posts here and in the other sections , , ie catalina.oday etc, with issues with retractable keels/cb etc,sticking , jammed, broken lines, so read up , before u make your decision, , A happy 23 owner, , Mike B
R
Ray Bowles
Towing a H23 is a reasonable venture if you
have a 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup. 4x4 is even better. Launching/loading the boat from a trailer is fairly simple. A 4x4 truck is a very nice feature in this operation if you have shallow ramps, but a trailer with an extendable tongue is manditory (or damn near) with a non water ballast keel as you must get in fairly deep to float or recover. On this site within the last 10 days there was a good item about just this question. There are rope tricks that can, and are, used to launch/recover trailerable sailboats on ramps that most think would be to shallow. I know, I've used these tricks. If you plan to trailer/tow a sailboat I very STRONGLY recommend you go for a water ballast boat. They allow you to have a larger boat at a much lower towing weight. They sail just as good as solid keel boats, if not faster. If at all possible purchase a H26 boat. They are basically the same as a H260 and much lower in cost. The H23 is considerable smaller and fairly tight for 4 adults. Way too tight for overnighters. On our H26 we spend 3 to 5 days out every week as live aboard cruisers on our 132 mile long pond. Overnighting with guests is OK for 1 to 2 nights max. We have a marine head with a 20 gal holding tank. Without it there would be no overnighters. Rail time is a very personel job most don't want to share. I won't do it anytime. Raising the mast with the Hunter factory supplied system, all 37 feet of it, is a 1 hour task for my wife and I and we're older, crippled up sailing fanatics. In 1 1/2 hour we raise the mast, set-up all standing and running rigging, mount sails, load coolers, food, fuel, the OB and launch. The reverse takes about twice as long because we spend so much time talking about the adventures we've just had. Granted it is very nice to launch and leave the boat in for the summer and that is what we do most of the year, but, we also pull it out 3 to 4 times a year to visit other lakes as much as 400 miles away. Now that I've blown more wind at you than most storms, I wish you much pleasure in your adventure. Ray S/v Speedy
have a 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup. 4x4 is even better. Launching/loading the boat from a trailer is fairly simple. A 4x4 truck is a very nice feature in this operation if you have shallow ramps, but a trailer with an extendable tongue is manditory (or damn near) with a non water ballast keel as you must get in fairly deep to float or recover. On this site within the last 10 days there was a good item about just this question. There are rope tricks that can, and are, used to launch/recover trailerable sailboats on ramps that most think would be to shallow. I know, I've used these tricks. If you plan to trailer/tow a sailboat I very STRONGLY recommend you go for a water ballast boat. They allow you to have a larger boat at a much lower towing weight. They sail just as good as solid keel boats, if not faster. If at all possible purchase a H26 boat. They are basically the same as a H260 and much lower in cost. The H23 is considerable smaller and fairly tight for 4 adults. Way too tight for overnighters. On our H26 we spend 3 to 5 days out every week as live aboard cruisers on our 132 mile long pond. Overnighting with guests is OK for 1 to 2 nights max. We have a marine head with a 20 gal holding tank. Without it there would be no overnighters. Rail time is a very personel job most don't want to share. I won't do it anytime. Raising the mast with the Hunter factory supplied system, all 37 feet of it, is a 1 hour task for my wife and I and we're older, crippled up sailing fanatics. In 1 1/2 hour we raise the mast, set-up all standing and running rigging, mount sails, load coolers, food, fuel, the OB and launch. The reverse takes about twice as long because we spend so much time talking about the adventures we've just had. Granted it is very nice to launch and leave the boat in for the summer and that is what we do most of the year, but, we also pull it out 3 to 4 times a year to visit other lakes as much as 400 miles away. Now that I've blown more wind at you than most storms, I wish you much pleasure in your adventure. Ray S/v Speedy
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mike
my thoughts
I'd agree with most of the other opinions here. One note might be which mast you're getting. The Z spar mast on 23s 1987 and later are much lighter than the big white Kenyon masts of the earlier models. Probably 100 pounds lighter. Also the stepping plank that Mike B mentioned is a MUST........as well as a jin pole. I trailer sailed a smaller boat for years before getting my H23 and a permanent dock. Like Mike.......I much prefer the latter and do much more sailing when I don't have to pack up everything, wait at a ramp, set up the rigging and do it all in reverse at the end of the day. It kinda takes the fun out of a daysail. If you've gotta trailer every time, it's doable, but I'd recommend one of the newer water ballast models at about 26' for your overnite guests.
I'd agree with most of the other opinions here. One note might be which mast you're getting. The Z spar mast on 23s 1987 and later are much lighter than the big white Kenyon masts of the earlier models. Probably 100 pounds lighter. Also the stepping plank that Mike B mentioned is a MUST........as well as a jin pole. I trailer sailed a smaller boat for years before getting my H23 and a permanent dock. Like Mike.......I much prefer the latter and do much more sailing when I don't have to pack up everything, wait at a ramp, set up the rigging and do it all in reverse at the end of the day. It kinda takes the fun out of a daysail. If you've gotta trailer every time, it's doable, but I'd recommend one of the newer water ballast models at about 26' for your overnite guests.
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Jay
New owner's opinion
Just to give you another opinion: here's the view of a new 1/2 season owner. We bought our '91 H23 in July and sailed it about 10 times from September-November. I'm a first-time owner and sailor. We had a heck of an ugly time launching it (see "boat-ramp woes" in the archives). Just for symmetry, we also had a really hard time trying (and failing) to recover it last weekend, despite unseasonable 70 degree weather. It's getting hauled out and placed on the trailor for us in a few days... In our recovery attempt, we ended up with the wings on top of the vertical guide boards, which rotated them sideways. Now, this may just be a matter of learning how to do it, but I'd have a tough time calling this an "easy" procedure. I still haven't decided whether our boat ramp is just too steep. On the other hand: we had a great time sailing this fall, despite using the read everything and learn-by-doing method. We also had no problem whatsoever stepping the mast with 2 people. I did not use a stepping plank (I might in the future), but did make a 6-foot tall mast crutch. We didn't get one with the boat. The mast crutch made it very easy to remove/install the hinge pin on the mast step. I believe we have the Z-spar mast, which someone said is the lighter of the different models used. But the basic procedure was: (to step) tape up the shrouds to the lifelines and have one guy hold a line to the head of the mast while the other guy walks the mast up. Anyway, to sum up: I'm very happy with the boat, but the trailering part has been tough for us. As you might have guessed, we have a slip (at $900 per year) which has been well worth the investment. It takes me about 15 minutes to get out each time, and about 1 hour to put everything away and putter around when we return. But the trailer will save us in storage fees this winter, as we'll keep the boat at home. Jay
Just to give you another opinion: here's the view of a new 1/2 season owner. We bought our '91 H23 in July and sailed it about 10 times from September-November. I'm a first-time owner and sailor. We had a heck of an ugly time launching it (see "boat-ramp woes" in the archives). Just for symmetry, we also had a really hard time trying (and failing) to recover it last weekend, despite unseasonable 70 degree weather. It's getting hauled out and placed on the trailor for us in a few days... In our recovery attempt, we ended up with the wings on top of the vertical guide boards, which rotated them sideways. Now, this may just be a matter of learning how to do it, but I'd have a tough time calling this an "easy" procedure. I still haven't decided whether our boat ramp is just too steep. On the other hand: we had a great time sailing this fall, despite using the read everything and learn-by-doing method. We also had no problem whatsoever stepping the mast with 2 people. I did not use a stepping plank (I might in the future), but did make a 6-foot tall mast crutch. We didn't get one with the boat. The mast crutch made it very easy to remove/install the hinge pin on the mast step. I believe we have the Z-spar mast, which someone said is the lighter of the different models used. But the basic procedure was: (to step) tape up the shrouds to the lifelines and have one guy hold a line to the head of the mast while the other guy walks the mast up. Anyway, to sum up: I'm very happy with the boat, but the trailering part has been tough for us. As you might have guessed, we have a slip (at $900 per year) which has been well worth the investment. It takes me about 15 minutes to get out each time, and about 1 hour to put everything away and putter around when we return. But the trailer will save us in storage fees this winter, as we'll keep the boat at home. Jay
W
Ward
Trailer Mine Everywhere
C. Benny, The previous posts all have good points, and I wouldn't argue with any of the advice. The h23 however, is very trailerable and quite easy to launch and retrieve with the right setup. My wife and I trailer every time we use the boat. We have no choice as we have no close access to marinas, slips or moorings. Once we pull up to the rigging area at the ramp we are set up and in the water sailing within 60 minutes. It takes about the same time tearing down during retrieval. We often tow to a lake for an afternoon sail then pull it back home. We are nearly 55 years old so needless to say, we would much rather not have to do this everytime. Since we do, we have developed an effective system that meets our needs. When we first started, it was HELL, but as we did it more it became simple and easy. Here is our setup. We have a 1988 wing keel h23 Zspar mast Single axle 'Ken's Welding' trailer with hydraulic surge brakes and extension tongue. (All Standard) We tow with a 1/2 ton 4X4 pickup 5.4 liter V8. This pulls us along at 65 MPH on interstates with no sway. It stops on a dime and is easier than most camping or horse trailers I have ever pulled. We use a tripod (actually bipod) system to assist in raising the mast. This is the easiest part of setup. (you can see pictures of this if you search the archives). Once the boat is rigged and the tongue is extended, we back into the water to a precise depth. We have marks on the trailer to determine this depth. We back off and sail. In retrieving, I have made stainless steel guide rails on the trailer so the keel MUST align perfectly on the trailer. We found that how deep the trailer is in the water is VERY important. We back in to a predetermined depth. I run the boat onto the trailer with the motor and it come to a stop by the keel dragging on the bottom board of the trailer. This method allows me to approach with enough speed to keep straight even in a cross wind or small breaking waves. The keel will harmlessly drag on the trailer board before the bow crashes into the trailer winch. My wife then backs the trailer in a little deeper and I take about 3 turns on the trailer winch and we pull away. This process take maybe 5 minutes. The rest of the tear-down is simply a reverse of the setup. This works for us and has become so routine that we don't think about it. BUT ... we do this ALOT... practice makes perfect. As for taking 4 adults???? No problem if you are just day sailing. Sleeping with four adults??? not a chance for me. I don't know any other couple that well... hehehe I love the keel, but concede a water ballast boat has the significant advantages that have been mentioned. By-the-way, we put more than 5,000 miles on our vehicle this year towing our boat all over. We sailed some wonderful lakes and met some wonderful people. When we get out of the trailer sailing business, it will be for a LARGE liveaboard boat. Till then the h23 suits us and is a lot of boat for the $$$$. Good Luck in your quest Ward N.
C. Benny, The previous posts all have good points, and I wouldn't argue with any of the advice. The h23 however, is very trailerable and quite easy to launch and retrieve with the right setup. My wife and I trailer every time we use the boat. We have no choice as we have no close access to marinas, slips or moorings. Once we pull up to the rigging area at the ramp we are set up and in the water sailing within 60 minutes. It takes about the same time tearing down during retrieval. We often tow to a lake for an afternoon sail then pull it back home. We are nearly 55 years old so needless to say, we would much rather not have to do this everytime. Since we do, we have developed an effective system that meets our needs. When we first started, it was HELL, but as we did it more it became simple and easy. Here is our setup. We have a 1988 wing keel h23 Zspar mast Single axle 'Ken's Welding' trailer with hydraulic surge brakes and extension tongue. (All Standard) We tow with a 1/2 ton 4X4 pickup 5.4 liter V8. This pulls us along at 65 MPH on interstates with no sway. It stops on a dime and is easier than most camping or horse trailers I have ever pulled. We use a tripod (actually bipod) system to assist in raising the mast. This is the easiest part of setup. (you can see pictures of this if you search the archives). Once the boat is rigged and the tongue is extended, we back into the water to a precise depth. We have marks on the trailer to determine this depth. We back off and sail. In retrieving, I have made stainless steel guide rails on the trailer so the keel MUST align perfectly on the trailer. We found that how deep the trailer is in the water is VERY important. We back in to a predetermined depth. I run the boat onto the trailer with the motor and it come to a stop by the keel dragging on the bottom board of the trailer. This method allows me to approach with enough speed to keep straight even in a cross wind or small breaking waves. The keel will harmlessly drag on the trailer board before the bow crashes into the trailer winch. My wife then backs the trailer in a little deeper and I take about 3 turns on the trailer winch and we pull away. This process take maybe 5 minutes. The rest of the tear-down is simply a reverse of the setup. This works for us and has become so routine that we don't think about it. BUT ... we do this ALOT... practice makes perfect. As for taking 4 adults???? No problem if you are just day sailing. Sleeping with four adults??? not a chance for me. I don't know any other couple that well... hehehe I love the keel, but concede a water ballast boat has the significant advantages that have been mentioned. By-the-way, we put more than 5,000 miles on our vehicle this year towing our boat all over. We sailed some wonderful lakes and met some wonderful people. When we get out of the trailer sailing business, it will be for a LARGE liveaboard boat. Till then the h23 suits us and is a lot of boat for the $$$$. Good Luck in your quest Ward N.
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mike
practice makes perfect
I must admit I've seen Ward in action and others that make launching and retrieving look easy. It's really doable with the right setup and practice.
I must admit I've seen Ward in action and others that make launching and retrieving look easy. It's really doable with the right setup and practice.
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Bob Grogan
Shallow ramps
I pay to store my boat on its trailer right beside the boat ramp ($200.00 per year), so I do not have to step the mast. But the ramp is rather shallow. I went to a local welding shop and had a 20 foot extention made to swap for the factory one. With this I can float on and off the trailer with no problem. When not in use the extention is stored on the trailer. Our lake it almost 6 feet low right now and I would have no problem launching my boat. If any one is interested I can get photos of the extention and how it is stored. I can launch single handed and be sailing in 25 minutes. Bob SV 'TWINKLE'
I pay to store my boat on its trailer right beside the boat ramp ($200.00 per year), so I do not have to step the mast. But the ramp is rather shallow. I went to a local welding shop and had a 20 foot extention made to swap for the factory one. With this I can float on and off the trailer with no problem. When not in use the extention is stored on the trailer. Our lake it almost 6 feet low right now and I would have no problem launching my boat. If any one is interested I can get photos of the extention and how it is stored. I can launch single handed and be sailing in 25 minutes. Bob SV 'TWINKLE'
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Kevin
h23 trailering
There are some good points by the many contributors to this post. I trailer with a front-wheel drive 3.8 liter Windstar "minivan" with towing package. The combined weight of the H23 and Magic Tilt trailer are well within towing limits. The trailer does not have an extension tongue (yet!) so I can't launch from all ramps. The boat is easily launched and recovered. The important thing to remember is: float-on and float-off the trailer. Mast sway is a concern during stepping or unstepping but two people either side of the boat and trailer with lines to steady the mast help. Ease does it while stepping/unstepping and there won't be any metal popping sounds! By the way, the Kenyon mast only weighs 76 pounds bear of halyards so it can't be a hundred pounds heavier than the Z spar---but it is one heck of a solid strong mast. I use a 3:1 purchase block-and-tackle to raise it: maximum force required to lift from mast crutch is 20 pounds, so after a few wraps on one of the winches the touch is featherweight.
There are some good points by the many contributors to this post. I trailer with a front-wheel drive 3.8 liter Windstar "minivan" with towing package. The combined weight of the H23 and Magic Tilt trailer are well within towing limits. The trailer does not have an extension tongue (yet!) so I can't launch from all ramps. The boat is easily launched and recovered. The important thing to remember is: float-on and float-off the trailer. Mast sway is a concern during stepping or unstepping but two people either side of the boat and trailer with lines to steady the mast help. Ease does it while stepping/unstepping and there won't be any metal popping sounds! By the way, the Kenyon mast only weighs 76 pounds bear of halyards so it can't be a hundred pounds heavier than the Z spar---but it is one heck of a solid strong mast. I use a 3:1 purchase block-and-tackle to raise it: maximum force required to lift from mast crutch is 20 pounds, so after a few wraps on one of the winches the touch is featherweight.
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