Hunter 23 Project

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Jun 5, 2013
76
Hunter 23 St petersburg
Hello all, i am new to the site and joined to learn from the collective experience. I stumbled onto a 1992 H23 deal that I can't pass. I am a boat owner but new to sailing although i have done some regattas on J30's. regarding my boat, it appears to be in good structural condition but currently it has rain water inside. The wing keel has superficial rust and the joint to the hull does not have any drip stains that i can see. Besides repairs to the cabin, should i be looking for other structural concerns. This will be my first sail, first restoration, but i am looking forward to it. Your input is greatly appreciated. I am in the Sarasota, FL area if th are others near with the same boat i will greatly appreciate any insight that can be provided.
 
Dec 14, 2003
75
Hunter H37C, H23 Annapolis MD
The H23 is a great boat and there is a lot of info on this site. The biggest flaw is the cockpit drain is at the waterlevel so if it get a leak in the hose, the boat will flood. If you have water in the bilge and the boat is on a trailer you will need to check the hose and most likely it is leaking and needs to be replace before you put the boat in the water. Have fun and try to attend the H23 regetta in Ohio (been a few years but I think they still have it) Mark
 
Apr 27, 2010
1,279
Hunter 23 Lake Wallenpaupack
Check the fittings and hose in the anchor locker. If that is toast, rain water will enter. Also, if left at the wrong angle and the scupper in the cockpit gets clogged with leaves or debris, rain will flood the cockpit and enter the hull through the round access port in the fuel tank lazarette. Check all the wood bulkheads by crawling in the bilge area, and also look at these in all the storage lockers inside the boat, particularly the ones on the starboard side, aftwards. More than likely the ply will be peeling, but as long as it is not too bad, it is probably OK.
 
Jun 5, 2013
76
Hunter 23 St petersburg
Mr. Price/isaksp00 thank you both for your guidance. I will definitely look into the hose that drains from cockpit to thru-hole. I am almost sure that it is disconnected, do not know why the previous owners did that. Also the boat has a lot of water inside the berth/cabin area, would that be from rain water coming in from the cabin hatch and berth hatch or will it also come from the water that came in from cockpit drain? Once again thank you. Also if i could get more info on the Ohio regatta I would be able to plan to drive/tow the H23 or even join another boat if anybody needs a crew.
 
Oct 6, 2008
857
Hunter, Island Packet, Catalina, San Juan 26,38,22,23 Kettle Falls, Washington
If there is a large amount of rain water inside the hull I would remove it and then tap the outside of the hull where the water was to see if you find any soft areas. If the water is not next to the outer hull area then there is no need to check the outer hull. Remove the water and inspect the inner hull liner area.
 
Apr 27, 2010
1,279
Hunter 23 Lake Wallenpaupack
The 23 has no inner hull - it is just one layer. If the hose from the cockpit floor drain has been disconnected, then (obviously!) don't launch it, and look in this forum for suggestions on the proper replacement hose (if you need one) and use two hose clamps each end. My guess is that the interior flooded because rain water drained through the cockpit floor drain directly into the bilge, rather than through the disconnected hose and out the transom. It could also have filled the cockpit through the access port by the gas tank storage, or of course via the companionway, the from anchor locker or even leaky chainplates or other deck fittings.

If you have not bought it yet, get rid of the water and carefully look at all the interior ply bulkheads. You'll have to crawl in the bilge, and also check in the storage lockers under the seats, and remove the floorboards. Pay particular attention to the afmost starboard locker, as it will probably be flooded, and if water has been in there a while, the ply may have disintegrated. If enough bulkhead wood is rotted, I'd pass on this boat, unless you want an awful lot of work. Mine had interior flooding through the gas tank port from the cockpit, which I didn't realize until after I bought it, but the damage to the wood was manageable - I basically just dried it out and removed the few outer peeled layers. Eventually I may apply some epoxy on top. On the hard, the drain in the cockpit very quickly gets blocked from leaves and doesn't drain at all - watch that if you buy it.
Peter
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,452
-na -NA Anywhere USA
If you go to the boat information and look under 23, there is a lot of information but I would suggest posting in the small boat forum as many only go to that site vs. this forum
 
Jun 5, 2013
76
Hunter 23 St petersburg
Good afternoon all, thank you for all the great insight this is exactly what i was looking for. Unfortunately it seems my great deal fell through and it is no longer available. If/when i pick up a new vessel or project i will surely consider a hunter. Thank you all.
 
Dec 14, 2003
75
Hunter H37C, H23 Annapolis MD
Reefing,
Sorry to hear about the deal falling through. The H223 is a great boat and I would urge you to keep your eyes open for one. I have draged mine back and forth between Ohio and the Chesapeake several times. You can rig them to spend a week on and with the draft you can sail into a lot of neat areas. As for the water it can be a bear to get it all out once it get in the boat as there is a small space between the bilge you can see and the outer hull. Not much volume but it takes a bit of time to suck all the water out from the nooks and crannies. Check the archives for info on the H23 Nationals. I hope they are still having them at Indian Lake in Ohio. Mark
 
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