Hunter 23.5 (What to look for when buying)

[WayneT]

Hello there everyone,I am calling on any Hunter 23.5 owners to give me some advice on what to look for when buying a 23.5 ie: structural defects,sails,trailer etc anything that can help me to decide to buy or walk away.Any advice big or small would be apprectiated.Cheers and Happy Sailing.

 

[Frank Ladd]

give everything a close look

Raise the mast and put up the sails. Look at the entire bottom and the centerboard and rudder. Crawl around every where underneath the cockpit and look for anything that looks bad or anything that has water damage. Check the bottom for blisters. I've been pullin the "mouse fir" off of my interior around the V berth so i can put in wood ceilings and I'm amazed at how well this boat is built with regard to strength for a small boat. I hope you find one you like as they are great boats.

 

[Bill Leathen]

Nice boat but not for racing

I think the 23.5 is a real nice boat if you don't plan to race it. A few years ago about three 23.5 arrived at our club and when the owners started to try to outfit the boat for all the extra stuff to race it, like jibsheet travelors, spinaker sheet lines etc. they all seemed to have trouble. Now - three years later all the H23.5 have disapeared and been replaced with Precision 23's. So my only advise is, be carful - if you think you may end up racing it someday.Have fun and good luck.Bill Leathen

 

[WayneT]

Keep up the input

Thanks Bill and Frank for your input,really appreciate it. Wayne

 

[Hayden]

The Hunter 23.5 has some unique........

sailing properties. It tens to heel quickly and is pretty tender in winds over 12 knots. When I bought mine, there was a small crack along the back of the hull where the transom and hull came together. I was told this is a common problem and can be fixed by enlarging the crack, and filling it with fiberglass and epoxy. We did it and it's been fine for 3 years now.I'd look for staining inside near the chainplates to be sure there's no leaking as well as around the conmpanionway and the hatches.Below, I'll check al the bilges t see if there is any evidence that standing water is or had been present (look for water stains).Try to find out when the keel outhaul line was last replaced. If you get the boat you may want to change it.The trailer that came with these boats tends to be too small. It really needs tandem wheels to haul it any distance. I can't haul my boat on my trailer any faster than 50 MPH, which can be a problem on long hauls on interstates when everyone else is driving 75.I like the 23.5 but wish i could get the 25 water ballast. It has much more room (including head room) below. I just didn't have room in the slip.Accesssories are also important. It would be great if it came with a roller furler, pop top cover (it's like a dodger and gives you head room below), auto tiller, depthfinder, and all the doo dads that you can get.Also, make sure the engine is big enough to push her. I've got a 9.9 Tohatsu and she's okay. I won't go below 8 HP.Having said all that, she's a good boat. I'm planning a solo trip around the Chesapaek this summer (450 miles in 21 to 25 days) and I'll sure she'll be fine.Fair WindsHayden

 

[Frank Ladd]

Don't put a big Jib on one.

This boat has a special rig and it is not designed for big jibs like other traditional rigs. You rig this one more like a hobie cat. Big main, 110 jib max, assym spin thats it. You dont need jib block tracks. For racing you do need a second reef in the main between the foot and the first reef; this sail comes standard with the only reef in the place where most sails have their third reef. The boat is tippy because it has a lot of sail area and a very rounded hull and it is water ballasted.By the way mine developed that crack too and it was fixed the same way. So far ot has been a wonderful boat for what I do.I've many folks say it is only a lake boat and not a good coastal boat. But mine sails just fine with no jib and a reefed main in winds around 20 knots. After that any boat this short and with a lot of freeboard is goind to have big touble making good headway into the waves generated buy bigger winds. Reaching and running with a full main I've actually surfed waves and gotten the boat on a plane, it was thilling and terrifying all at once. My plan is to get to calmer water as soon as possible when waves start breaking over the bow and carry on over the cockpit, but sometimes the plans don't go so well. This boat will handle more than I can.For me the boat is the most comfortable small boat inside and out that I've ever been on. The seats everywhere give good support. For others the boat is simply too tippy and too responsive. Take a sail in one before you buy. If you don't like it there is plenty of competition.

 

[WayneT]

Thanks

Thanks Frank for a good article,I'm starting to know what a 23.5 is all about,keep up the advice guy's.