Recently Bought an '87 Hunter 23, wing Keel Model. Have been sailing a 19' Oday Mariner for the last few years. Just wanted to know what those of you who have owned a Hunter for a while think of your boat, and any advice you may have to offer. Thanks
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
C
Chip Tobey
I own an '88 H 23
and absolutely love it. I feel it is well built, sails well enough (though, as I sail her anyway, not exceedingly fast), and is pretty roomy. I have found that while the 27-inch draft is great at low tide, the wing keel doesn't let her point real well. I keep mine in the water during sailing season, but if you plan on trailering yours, good luck stepping and unstepping the mast each time. It's not a lot of fun. HOW's site has reviews from other owners.
and absolutely love it. I feel it is well built, sails well enough (though, as I sail her anyway, not exceedingly fast), and is pretty roomy. I have found that while the 27-inch draft is great at low tide, the wing keel doesn't let her point real well. I keep mine in the water during sailing season, but if you plan on trailering yours, good luck stepping and unstepping the mast each time. It's not a lot of fun. HOW's site has reviews from other owners.
B
brian
my first boat
I am a proud owner of an H23 and will be celebrating our 1 year aniversary this week. Last year was great...this year will be even better. Almost all of the info I needed regarding this model is found here in the archives (I think I've read them all!) When you get a chance I suggest you take some time out and perform a search in the archives and you'll see what I mean. have fun... Brian h23 kickin' back
I am a proud owner of an H23 and will be celebrating our 1 year aniversary this week. Last year was great...this year will be even better. Almost all of the info I needed regarding this model is found here in the archives (I think I've read them all!) When you get a chance I suggest you take some time out and perform a search in the archives and you'll see what I mean. have fun... Brian h23 kickin' back
We love 'em
Check the Forum Archives and you'll see what I mean. The H23 is a great boat; small enough to single-hand comfortably, roomy enough for short cruises, stable and solid to inspire confidence in the new sailor and enough performance potential to hold its own when racing. Add the shallow keel (you can walk the boat to deeper water if you run aground), good looks and affordability and you have a package that's hard to beat. OK, the boat does have a few flaws: raising and lowering the mast is a pain. So is getting the boat on and off the trailer. Modifying the traveler and backstay will make mainsail trim and boat control a lot easier. These problems have been solved and the solutions are in the archives. The problem with pointing can be solved by easing off the wind about 5 degrees. The resulting increase in boatspeed will more than make up for the slightly broader angle that you have to sail. If you trim the sails right, you can create some hydrodynamic lift and use that to help you sail closer to the wind. Under the right conditions, the boat will plane at 10 kts. Welcome aboard! Peter H23 "Raven"
Check the Forum Archives and you'll see what I mean. The H23 is a great boat; small enough to single-hand comfortably, roomy enough for short cruises, stable and solid to inspire confidence in the new sailor and enough performance potential to hold its own when racing. Add the shallow keel (you can walk the boat to deeper water if you run aground), good looks and affordability and you have a package that's hard to beat. OK, the boat does have a few flaws: raising and lowering the mast is a pain. So is getting the boat on and off the trailer. Modifying the traveler and backstay will make mainsail trim and boat control a lot easier. These problems have been solved and the solutions are in the archives. The problem with pointing can be solved by easing off the wind about 5 degrees. The resulting increase in boatspeed will more than make up for the slightly broader angle that you have to sail. If you trim the sails right, you can create some hydrodynamic lift and use that to help you sail closer to the wind. Under the right conditions, the boat will plane at 10 kts. Welcome aboard! Peter H23 "Raven"
M
Mark Major
Loyal 86H23 owner
Peter, I, and so many others share a love for this boat we might be considered cultists. Is there such a thing as a perfect boat? I suspect not, as I suspect there is no perfect sailor. Man and boat merge in the sea, each forgiving the other's shortcomings while discovering their potential. Ok, your Hunter 23 is nothing more than a combination of resin, glass, wood, and metal, but seemingly has a soul that may be a match to yours. Sail her; you may find yourself along the way, and be forever indebted to the Gods that brought you together. If not, sell her, so that she may find her destiny. You have a good boat. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor
Peter, I, and so many others share a love for this boat we might be considered cultists. Is there such a thing as a perfect boat? I suspect not, as I suspect there is no perfect sailor. Man and boat merge in the sea, each forgiving the other's shortcomings while discovering their potential. Ok, your Hunter 23 is nothing more than a combination of resin, glass, wood, and metal, but seemingly has a soul that may be a match to yours. Sail her; you may find yourself along the way, and be forever indebted to the Gods that brought you together. If not, sell her, so that she may find her destiny. You have a good boat. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor
K
Kevin Keen
H23 is a light fast boat
Because of budgetary concerns, I chose to purchase a used 23 foot sailboat. To avoid centerboard pivot problems this limited the field to the Hunter 23. Since purchasing the boat 2 years ago, I have found this owners' forum and its archives to be an invaluable source of information. Based on sail area, displacement and ballast, the H23 is to be considered a light, fast boat. Incredibly, with a bit of sail control management, it will point to within 45 degrees of the apparent wind on close haul---which is something I absolutely did not expect. The boat is a dinghy-on-steroids, a J-24 wannabe, yet will accommodate with ease a family of 3 on a long weekend cruise. The H23 trailers well and, provided the bunks are low enough in the water, is easily launched and recovered. Given that my wife and do all the boatwright repair and maintenance ourselves, the simplicity of systems is a plus for us. I think a bigger boat would be too much work for us. We cruise with members of our sailing club and they are surprised that we can go where their big boats go, albeit we always arrive last thanks to the shorter waterline length. The only "shortcoming" of the boat is that in waves 3 feet or higher the keel is not deep enough to bite through the boundary layer into the deeper still water but then that is what the 9.9 hp auxiliary outboard is for. - Kevin.
Because of budgetary concerns, I chose to purchase a used 23 foot sailboat. To avoid centerboard pivot problems this limited the field to the Hunter 23. Since purchasing the boat 2 years ago, I have found this owners' forum and its archives to be an invaluable source of information. Based on sail area, displacement and ballast, the H23 is to be considered a light, fast boat. Incredibly, with a bit of sail control management, it will point to within 45 degrees of the apparent wind on close haul---which is something I absolutely did not expect. The boat is a dinghy-on-steroids, a J-24 wannabe, yet will accommodate with ease a family of 3 on a long weekend cruise. The H23 trailers well and, provided the bunks are low enough in the water, is easily launched and recovered. Given that my wife and do all the boatwright repair and maintenance ourselves, the simplicity of systems is a plus for us. I think a bigger boat would be too much work for us. We cruise with members of our sailing club and they are surprised that we can go where their big boats go, albeit we always arrive last thanks to the shorter waterline length. The only "shortcoming" of the boat is that in waves 3 feet or higher the keel is not deep enough to bite through the boundary layer into the deeper still water but then that is what the 9.9 hp auxiliary outboard is for. - Kevin.
J-24 wannabe - for Kevin
I was racing once in a mixed fleet which included a J-24. We started behind them and were never able to pass but they never pulled any further ahead either...at least until they rounded the windward mark and hoisted their spinnaker (we were in the non-spinnaker class). The H23 will plane on a reach if there is enough wind. Greg S ("Faster") claimed speeds of 10+ kt when planing. My personal best is 8.6 kt and that was with the 110 jib. You're right, it's just like sailing a big dinghy, except at the end of the day you can go below and cook up a pot of stew. Peter H23 "Raven"
I was racing once in a mixed fleet which included a J-24. We started behind them and were never able to pass but they never pulled any further ahead either...at least until they rounded the windward mark and hoisted their spinnaker (we were in the non-spinnaker class). The H23 will plane on a reach if there is enough wind. Greg S ("Faster") claimed speeds of 10+ kt when planing. My personal best is 8.6 kt and that was with the 110 jib. You're right, it's just like sailing a big dinghy, except at the end of the day you can go below and cook up a pot of stew. Peter H23 "Raven"
- Status
- Not open for further replies.