I'm going to look at a 1995 23.5 water ballest this weekend. Is their anything unusal with this boat I should be looking for. My background is power boats so I know to check it for soft spots, gel coat etc...but I don't know anything about water ballest. Thanks
HELP! Looking at a Hunter 23.5?
- Thread starter feejer
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Look at the transom
along the rim formed by the hull. This is bonded joint and only gel coated over. Very susceptable to damage as the outside edge has no glass only gel coat. Only a problem when it gets hit. I,ve glassed over most of my joint now to repair damage by previous owners.
along the rim formed by the hull. This is bonded joint and only gel coated over. Very susceptable to damage as the outside edge has no glass only gel coat. Only a problem when it gets hit. I,ve glassed over most of my joint now to repair damage by previous owners.
Agreed on transom plus other items
Looking at the transom is a good idea. It doesn't even have to be impact damage. It just cracks. Don't let it be a deal killer though unless it is a gaping crevis. Even then you can negotiate down the price for the boat to compensate for the repair that you will want to have done. Depending on severity you may be looking at a few hundred dollars. Not too expensive. Some other things to look at: Ensure all the mast rasing pieces are there. You should have a stainless steel gin-pole that inserts into the base of the mast and two bridal cables that connect from the mast to the forward stanchions port and starbord. These pieces are critical to the mast raising system. If you plan on trailering look the trailer over well and make sure the brake system works. If it doesn't, negotiate down on that too. Check the tires too. As you have probably read on this forum, the 23.5 can be tender and you will have to reef early in a stiff wind. We enjoy our 23.5. It is pretty roomy for a boat it's size. the first upgrade I will recommend is stern rail seats if it doesn't already have them. Good luck.
Looking at the transom is a good idea. It doesn't even have to be impact damage. It just cracks. Don't let it be a deal killer though unless it is a gaping crevis. Even then you can negotiate down the price for the boat to compensate for the repair that you will want to have done. Depending on severity you may be looking at a few hundred dollars. Not too expensive. Some other things to look at: Ensure all the mast rasing pieces are there. You should have a stainless steel gin-pole that inserts into the base of the mast and two bridal cables that connect from the mast to the forward stanchions port and starbord. These pieces are critical to the mast raising system. If you plan on trailering look the trailer over well and make sure the brake system works. If it doesn't, negotiate down on that too. Check the tires too. As you have probably read on this forum, the 23.5 can be tender and you will have to reef early in a stiff wind. We enjoy our 23.5. It is pretty roomy for a boat it's size. the first upgrade I will recommend is stern rail seats if it doesn't already have them. Good luck.
Turnbuckles
Look at the turnbuckles on the stays. These can get bent if care is not taken when the mast is being raised. Also, on our 1993, I just replaced the shims on either side of the tiller, where it connects to the rudder. Good Luck, Rob S/V Kinship
Look at the turnbuckles on the stays. These can get bent if care is not taken when the mast is being raised. Also, on our 1993, I just replaced the shims on either side of the tiller, where it connects to the rudder. Good Luck, Rob S/V Kinship
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