Well, I've done it ... signed a contract on a 1993 H23.5. Since this is my first sailboat, I'd appreciate any input from other 23.5 owners about what to inspect and what is likely to be wrong with this model. I've read the standard articles about soft spots in the deck and blisters in the hull. I'm especially interested in damage to look for in the mast system that can be caused from stepping the mast incorrectly. I'll pick it up this weekend. Any help is much appreciated and thanks in advance!
Hunter 23.5 inspection
- Thread starter erik14752
- Start date
- Status
asking for things to inspect after purchase?
It sounds like you plan to do the inspection AFTER buying it - was there no survey or thorough inspection done before it was/is too late?
It sounds like you plan to do the inspection AFTER buying it - was there no survey or thorough inspection done before it was/is too late?
Note quite.
I haven't paid for the boat yet, and the contract allows for a thorough inspection. I am going to inspect it and then close the deal this weekend. Thanks for your concern.
I haven't paid for the boat yet, and the contract allows for a thorough inspection. I am going to inspect it and then close the deal this weekend. Thanks for your concern.
Congrats!!!
Erik, Congrats on your 23.5 purchase. I also have a 1993 23.5, purchased two years ago. This was our first boat purchase as well, so we also learned a lot about what to look for. By no means did we cover everything when we had a survey done on the boat. We could have paid for a thorough (and expensive) survey, or a "once-over" look by at trusted surveyor. We opted for the cheap route. We followed him around, took notes, watched him closely and here is what he looked at: Condition of hull (we had one blister and some minor nose damage from the PO), Rigging condition, Rudder/Tiller condition (the PO dropped the rudder while pulling the boat out and ground down the tip of the rudder), Mast, halyard and lines (condition, frays, etc), sails and battens (tears or excessive wear), trailer condition (surge brakes, electrical for trailer, visual look at the hubs). I know I am forgetting some other things, but those were the most of what was looked at. he did not look at the electrical on the boat. The 23.5 doesn’t have much, but our was in good shape. I have since rerun some cables and added a distribution block instead of having everything going directly to the battery. One thing we did not ask, that is now on the list to ask for the next purchase was if the boat had ever been a serious accident or if it ever needed MAJOR structural repairs. The reason we didn’t ask it that it looked great from the outside, and frankly it never occurred to us to ask. Being a first time buyer I am sure we forgot to ask a lot of questions. Anyhow, it appears the port/aft corner may have been repaired significantly. If it was repaired, it was repaired very well, and is not a concern for us. However knowing might have been good to know. I am not sure it would have swayed our decision any, but knowledge is power. After we found out everything that was "wrong" which wasn’t a lot, it allowed me to go back to the seller and negotiate a slightly better price. Some of the "wrong" things, I have fixed myself and little cost, but had a professional repair facility repair the fiberglass just this year. Nothing on the survey was a show stopper, or anything that made the vessel unsafe. Most things were "If you have time/money, it might be good to replace xyz". Congrats again on your purchase.....the 23.5 is a GREAT boat. We love ours!!!!
Erik, Congrats on your 23.5 purchase. I also have a 1993 23.5, purchased two years ago. This was our first boat purchase as well, so we also learned a lot about what to look for. By no means did we cover everything when we had a survey done on the boat. We could have paid for a thorough (and expensive) survey, or a "once-over" look by at trusted surveyor. We opted for the cheap route. We followed him around, took notes, watched him closely and here is what he looked at: Condition of hull (we had one blister and some minor nose damage from the PO), Rigging condition, Rudder/Tiller condition (the PO dropped the rudder while pulling the boat out and ground down the tip of the rudder), Mast, halyard and lines (condition, frays, etc), sails and battens (tears or excessive wear), trailer condition (surge brakes, electrical for trailer, visual look at the hubs). I know I am forgetting some other things, but those were the most of what was looked at. he did not look at the electrical on the boat. The 23.5 doesn’t have much, but our was in good shape. I have since rerun some cables and added a distribution block instead of having everything going directly to the battery. One thing we did not ask, that is now on the list to ask for the next purchase was if the boat had ever been a serious accident or if it ever needed MAJOR structural repairs. The reason we didn’t ask it that it looked great from the outside, and frankly it never occurred to us to ask. Being a first time buyer I am sure we forgot to ask a lot of questions. Anyhow, it appears the port/aft corner may have been repaired significantly. If it was repaired, it was repaired very well, and is not a concern for us. However knowing might have been good to know. I am not sure it would have swayed our decision any, but knowledge is power. After we found out everything that was "wrong" which wasn’t a lot, it allowed me to go back to the seller and negotiate a slightly better price. Some of the "wrong" things, I have fixed myself and little cost, but had a professional repair facility repair the fiberglass just this year. Nothing on the survey was a show stopper, or anything that made the vessel unsafe. Most things were "If you have time/money, it might be good to replace xyz". Congrats again on your purchase.....the 23.5 is a GREAT boat. We love ours!!!!
Erik, congrats great boat choice. Check out...
this thread (or search 23.5 archives for 'transom crack') http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=0&sku=2004112094051.45&id=227408&ptl=Crack%20between%20lower%20transom%20edge%20and%20hull%20bottom&id=227408 This is a common problem and you should look for it. Not a deal killer unless it's gone beyond the cosmetic. Enjoy your new boat
this thread (or search 23.5 archives for 'transom crack') http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=0&sku=2004112094051.45&id=227408&ptl=Crack%20between%20lower%20transom%20edge%20and%20hull%20bottom&id=227408 This is a common problem and you should look for it. Not a deal killer unless it's gone beyond the cosmetic. Enjoy your new boat
Trailer
The single-axle trailer is barely adequate for the weight of the boat. Well, if you search the archives you'll find pretty well everybody says it's _inadequate_, period. How far do you have to tow it? I don't have time right now to tell my story, but if it's not too late and if hasn't been done you should get the bearings serviced (removed and repacked). NOTE that this is not the same as quishing grease into the nipples on "Bearing Buddies" which is all that was done to mine (I found out later) before I hauled it 700 miles over the Rocky Mountains. Rick
The single-axle trailer is barely adequate for the weight of the boat. Well, if you search the archives you'll find pretty well everybody says it's _inadequate_, period. How far do you have to tow it? I don't have time right now to tell my story, but if it's not too late and if hasn't been done you should get the bearings serviced (removed and repacked). NOTE that this is not the same as quishing grease into the nipples on "Bearing Buddies" which is all that was done to mine (I found out later) before I hauled it 700 miles over the Rocky Mountains. Rick
What I found when I was looking for boats
was that I valued each major part at $2k. The boat had 4 major parts..Hull, sails, motor, and trailer, each about $2000 to replace. Based on that if the boat I looked at needed a new motor, but everything else was good, then I'd look at about $6k. Replacing parts is very expensive, so look careful to see how servicable the sails are, not just looks, but shape. Have the compression tested on the motor to see if its still in good shape. Trailers can be fixed easily unless rust has eaten through. The hull is glass and the condition should reflect how the boat was cared for. I got mine cheap, but it was neglected for many years. The upside, was that the motor, sails and hull were in excellent shape, the interior was filthy, and wood inside rotted. Luckly the trailer was recently re-built with all new parts, so the big project was cutting new wood for the compartments and hatchway. I had to replace all the T-bolts that were bent, and most of the halyards and sheets. I had the motor worked on with a new carb kit, new impeller, and tune up. All it needs now is a bottom paint job.
was that I valued each major part at $2k. The boat had 4 major parts..Hull, sails, motor, and trailer, each about $2000 to replace. Based on that if the boat I looked at needed a new motor, but everything else was good, then I'd look at about $6k. Replacing parts is very expensive, so look careful to see how servicable the sails are, not just looks, but shape. Have the compression tested on the motor to see if its still in good shape. Trailers can be fixed easily unless rust has eaten through. The hull is glass and the condition should reflect how the boat was cared for. I got mine cheap, but it was neglected for many years. The upside, was that the motor, sails and hull were in excellent shape, the interior was filthy, and wood inside rotted. Luckly the trailer was recently re-built with all new parts, so the big project was cutting new wood for the compartments and hatchway. I had to replace all the T-bolts that were bent, and most of the halyards and sheets. I had the motor worked on with a new carb kit, new impeller, and tune up. All it needs now is a bottom paint job.
Good advice so far...and a little more
Congrats on the new boat! The H23.5 is a great trailersailer. I've sailed mine in the FL Keys, Chesapeake Bay, and this summer will finally make it to Pensacola on the BEER cruise. Don't ignore the trailer. When I bought a H19 last year, I bought new bearings, hubs, wheels (including spare) coupler, lights, and fixed the trailer before I started back home. I had planned to leave before 2pm. It was 10pm before I got back on the road, but I didn't worry about the trailer on the 6 hour trip home. If the boat was sailed in Salt Water, the trailer axle could be in bad shape, mine was not galvanized. My 93 was sailed in Freshwater until I bought it in 2005. In the three years I've owned the boat, I've sailed it in salt water. There has been a lot of corrosion and deterioration on the 'non' galvanized trailer parts, including my painted axle. I'm going to replace the springs, axle, hubs,... the same parts, plus a few more, that I replaced on the H19. The wooden parts on the trailer could be rotten or in bad shape. One on the board on my tailer is beginning to rot and flake apart. It will be replaced as well. The most easily damaged 'small' part is the standing rigging. The T bolts and/or the turnbuckles could be bent, which requires replacement. Check for 'play' between the rudder and tiller connection. The tiller hole connecting the rudder and tiller had elongated and the till had a bit of 'play'. It was annoying enough for me to consider 'shortening' the tiller. I ended up buying an IDASAILOR tiller and rudder. Also check the rudder/boat connections. Are the 'pins' bents, or any binding, or play' when you move the rudder? What's the condition of the 'gasket' around the water intake valve? That's the round plate that covers the holes for the water to enter and drain from the tank. It's on the starboard side at the aft end of the CB. If your boat comes with a Roller furler, the jib should have a sacrificial strip. It might need replacing which could be around $200. If the jib is on the RF and DOESN'T have a sacrifial cover, you'll need a new jib. Hunter warns about water freezing in the tank. It can 'total' the boat if that happens. If you are in a northern climate, it is something to consider. Enjoy your boat. The 23.5 is a great boat. Where will you be sailing from? Mike Howell Hunter 23.5 Beaufort, SC
Congrats on the new boat! The H23.5 is a great trailersailer. I've sailed mine in the FL Keys, Chesapeake Bay, and this summer will finally make it to Pensacola on the BEER cruise. Don't ignore the trailer. When I bought a H19 last year, I bought new bearings, hubs, wheels (including spare) coupler, lights, and fixed the trailer before I started back home. I had planned to leave before 2pm. It was 10pm before I got back on the road, but I didn't worry about the trailer on the 6 hour trip home. If the boat was sailed in Salt Water, the trailer axle could be in bad shape, mine was not galvanized. My 93 was sailed in Freshwater until I bought it in 2005. In the three years I've owned the boat, I've sailed it in salt water. There has been a lot of corrosion and deterioration on the 'non' galvanized trailer parts, including my painted axle. I'm going to replace the springs, axle, hubs,... the same parts, plus a few more, that I replaced on the H19. The wooden parts on the trailer could be rotten or in bad shape. One on the board on my tailer is beginning to rot and flake apart. It will be replaced as well. The most easily damaged 'small' part is the standing rigging. The T bolts and/or the turnbuckles could be bent, which requires replacement. Check for 'play' between the rudder and tiller connection. The tiller hole connecting the rudder and tiller had elongated and the till had a bit of 'play'. It was annoying enough for me to consider 'shortening' the tiller. I ended up buying an IDASAILOR tiller and rudder. Also check the rudder/boat connections. Are the 'pins' bents, or any binding, or play' when you move the rudder? What's the condition of the 'gasket' around the water intake valve? That's the round plate that covers the holes for the water to enter and drain from the tank. It's on the starboard side at the aft end of the CB. If your boat comes with a Roller furler, the jib should have a sacrificial strip. It might need replacing which could be around $200. If the jib is on the RF and DOESN'T have a sacrifial cover, you'll need a new jib. Hunter warns about water freezing in the tank. It can 'total' the boat if that happens. If you are in a northern climate, it is something to consider. Enjoy your boat. The 23.5 is a great boat. Where will you be sailing from? Mike Howell Hunter 23.5 Beaufort, SC
Thanks for the help.
I did buy the boat. I really appreciate all the inspection help from everyone. I felt comfortable inspecting the boat after the thread replies and previous research. The boat will take some work to get into shape but there are no problems with major systems ... just a lot of little this and that. When I finish the work, I'll be sailing from the Texas side of Lake Texoma.
I did buy the boat. I really appreciate all the inspection help from everyone. I felt comfortable inspecting the boat after the thread replies and previous research. The boat will take some work to get into shape but there are no problems with major systems ... just a lot of little this and that. When I finish the work, I'll be sailing from the Texas side of Lake Texoma.
- Status