Hello to all!

Jul 12, 2026
1
Hunter 23.5 Beech Fork Lake
Brand new sailor and Hunter 23.5 owner here. Just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and tell everyone I'm excited to find a resource. I have a 1993 for about a month and have been going through the manual for the boat and the outboard to try and learn as much as possible about it. It's in great shape (as far as I can tell) and wanting to get it in the water and make sure everything works as it should. Any beginners advice, I would gladly accept! Thanks for everything! I'm still learning how to search the forum to try to find answers to my questions, but until then... thanks for having me!
 
Jan 1, 2006
8,048
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Where will you sail it? And will you be dry sailing it (Sailing off a trailer)?
Beginner's tips: Rig it up in your driveway before going to the launch ramp. Watch out for overhead electric lines where you practice rigging it and, believe it or not, at the launch ramp. Do not pull on a loose halyard, or any line, until you completely understand what the other end is attached to. I did this on my first launch - it made a rough day. Start early in the day when there's less wind - everything is easier. Sail upwind first - it's easier to sail downwind to the ramp or marina.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,237
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Congrats on the new (to you) boat. A friend of mine had one that we sailed all over Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi gulf islands .. It is a fine boat.. Welcome aboard.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,984
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
After you launch… and the ballast tank fills…Don’t forget to close the ballast tank before you hoist the sails.;)