I am looking to move up from a Hunter 170 to a larger boat. My criteria are that the boat must be trailerable, ramp launchable, easy to single sail and cheap to own. I live about 23 miles from the channel islands and can't get there and overnight in the 170. What I love about the 170 is that it is easy to trailer, and I feel like I am right on the water when I am sailing. I store my boat right across the street from the launch ramp so the boat would remain set up all the time. The 170 is very easy to care for and cheap to own. I am thinking of the Hunter 23. Do any of you have any thoughts on this boat. How do you think it would compare with a Catalina 22. Thanks for your thoughts Brian
Hunter 23
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h23
I am happy with our 23 that we have owned for 11 years. I launch in the spring and retrieve in the fall . If you can leave the boat set up as you suggest it would be a good deal . IF I had to set up and retrieve every time I wanted to sail , I would not sail as often as I do now . Are you sure the 23 will make it across he street with the mast up? It has to be much taller than the 170 . There are a lot of happy h23 owners here, most I think either leave them in the water or set up as you suggest . There might be better boats to trailer have not owned a catalina, good luck Mike
I am happy with our 23 that we have owned for 11 years. I launch in the spring and retrieve in the fall . If you can leave the boat set up as you suggest it would be a good deal . IF I had to set up and retrieve every time I wanted to sail , I would not sail as often as I do now . Are you sure the 23 will make it across he street with the mast up? It has to be much taller than the 170 . There are a lot of happy h23 owners here, most I think either leave them in the water or set up as you suggest . There might be better boats to trailer have not owned a catalina, good luck Mike
Lots of Happy Owners
We've had a flurry of new H23 owners here over the past year, including me. As a group, we're pretty happy with this boat. It is trailerable, but not like your H17. I'm like the other Mike - in in the Spring, out in the Fall. Look through the 2005 Archives in the site specifying H23 in your search - heavy selection of recent posts.
We've had a flurry of new H23 owners here over the past year, including me. As a group, we're pretty happy with this boat. It is trailerable, but not like your H17. I'm like the other Mike - in in the Spring, out in the Fall. Look through the 2005 Archives in the site specifying H23 in your search - heavy selection of recent posts.
Trailerable...
I'm also pretty happy with my H23 but I am also one of the guys that leaves her on a buoy all summer. I've stepped my own mast and helped a friend step his H23 and it isn't real quick and easy, even with a mast raising system. She's trailerable but I wouldn't look forward to stepping the mast every time I wanted to go sailing. As it is now I can go out two or three times a week, sometimes more frequently. I know I'd only go out on weekends if I had to step the mast every time and not every weekend is perfect for sailing. I wouldn't use her nearly as much if I was trailering her.
I'm also pretty happy with my H23 but I am also one of the guys that leaves her on a buoy all summer. I've stepped my own mast and helped a friend step his H23 and it isn't real quick and easy, even with a mast raising system. She's trailerable but I wouldn't look forward to stepping the mast every time I wanted to go sailing. As it is now I can go out two or three times a week, sometimes more frequently. I know I'd only go out on weekends if I had to step the mast every time and not every weekend is perfect for sailing. I wouldn't use her nearly as much if I was trailering her.
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Jim
The H-22 is much bigger inside than the 23
Hello, I know you mentioned being interested in the H-23. I have sailed many smaller boats in the 21 to 25 foot class. I currently own a 1983 H-22. I was amazed the first time I went below and looked at the amount of room it had. I was also amazed at the big boat feel and handling. I know this sounds kind of crazy but a 22 has much more usable space and convinience than a 23, in my humble opinion. The 22 has two versions, fixed fin keel and a centerboard model. It is not a "swing keel" in that the part moving up and down weighs about 70 pounds and is pulled up and down by a rope, not a steel cable and winch. The centerboard is very easy to trailer and can be pulled by a small suv with no probem. The mast can be steped by two people in less than a half an hour. It is a fairly fast boat as well. There are two 23's at the lake i sail on and never have they been able to match my fin keeled 22. I am not sure if it is sail area or what but they just don't seem to be as quick. As far as cost goes, around $5000.00 will get you a well cared for boat, motor, and trailer. $6500.00 will get you a very nice example and should include things like a furler or a 4 stoke motor. Overnighting is fun if you keep in mind that the boat is perfect for a couple and maybe a couple of kids. Everything hsa a place and there is still space to move around. I singlehand the boat all the time and with a furler and lazy jacks it really doesn't get much easier. Hope this helps Jim
Hello, I know you mentioned being interested in the H-23. I have sailed many smaller boats in the 21 to 25 foot class. I currently own a 1983 H-22. I was amazed the first time I went below and looked at the amount of room it had. I was also amazed at the big boat feel and handling. I know this sounds kind of crazy but a 22 has much more usable space and convinience than a 23, in my humble opinion. The 22 has two versions, fixed fin keel and a centerboard model. It is not a "swing keel" in that the part moving up and down weighs about 70 pounds and is pulled up and down by a rope, not a steel cable and winch. The centerboard is very easy to trailer and can be pulled by a small suv with no probem. The mast can be steped by two people in less than a half an hour. It is a fairly fast boat as well. There are two 23's at the lake i sail on and never have they been able to match my fin keeled 22. I am not sure if it is sail area or what but they just don't seem to be as quick. As far as cost goes, around $5000.00 will get you a well cared for boat, motor, and trailer. $6500.00 will get you a very nice example and should include things like a furler or a 4 stoke motor. Overnighting is fun if you keep in mind that the boat is perfect for a couple and maybe a couple of kids. Everything hsa a place and there is still space to move around. I singlehand the boat all the time and with a furler and lazy jacks it really doesn't get much easier. Hope this helps Jim
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Brian
Another concern
I can leave the mast up and the boat rigged since I park it accross the street from the launch ramp. It is clear overhead so no problem. I am concerned however with ease of launching and retreaving the boat with the winged keel, getting it back on the tralier since I am usually alone. Thanks for all your help. Brian
I can leave the mast up and the boat rigged since I park it accross the street from the launch ramp. It is clear overhead so no problem. I am concerned however with ease of launching and retreaving the boat with the winged keel, getting it back on the tralier since I am usually alone. Thanks for all your help. Brian
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bill
great boat...
The h23 is a great mid sized boat. One of the great factors about this size is that it can be very easily single handed. There is plenty of room below deck. The boat handles very well in both light and heavey winds. If you are out and the wind picks up, be sure to reef early. My family had a H23 for three years. During that time, we learned a lot about sailing. We had the opportunity to move up to an Oday 27. If you are considering the H23, it is a great boat. Be sure that you check the archives. There is a lot of useful information.
The h23 is a great mid sized boat. One of the great factors about this size is that it can be very easily single handed. There is plenty of room below deck. The boat handles very well in both light and heavey winds. If you are out and the wind picks up, be sure to reef early. My family had a H23 for three years. During that time, we learned a lot about sailing. We had the opportunity to move up to an Oday 27. If you are considering the H23, it is a great boat. Be sure that you check the archives. There is a lot of useful information.
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John
Cat 22
I had a Catalina 22, prior to moving up to a hunter 26.5. The C22 was easy to trailer, and launch. The mast is easy to raise. Mine was set up to race, and was a joy to sail. We also stayed on it occasionally. I've never sailed on an H23 so I can't compare it to the C22. The C22 also has a large fleet - If you ever wanted to get into racing. Catalina just came out with the older (lighter) hull design, with a sportier deck. I LOVE my H26.5, but if I ever moved back to trailerable boat, a C22 would be on that list. I do like the looks of the H23, and would like to see how it sails.
I had a Catalina 22, prior to moving up to a hunter 26.5. The C22 was easy to trailer, and launch. The mast is easy to raise. Mine was set up to race, and was a joy to sail. We also stayed on it occasionally. I've never sailed on an H23 so I can't compare it to the C22. The C22 also has a large fleet - If you ever wanted to get into racing. Catalina just came out with the older (lighter) hull design, with a sportier deck. I LOVE my H26.5, but if I ever moved back to trailerable boat, a C22 would be on that list. I do like the looks of the H23, and would like to see how it sails.
Retrieval...
As I leave my H23 wing keel on a buoy all summer I only have to retrieve her once in the fall. I suppose it would be doable alone if I were to add a couple of guide posts to the trailer to keep the hull centered over the trailer while she if floating free. I have a nice deep, level, concrete ramp to launch/retrieve from. That's a plus as I don't have to back in too far and she will float off nicely and we have a nice dock adjacent to the ramp that assists greatly. Without guide posts it is a two or three man job keeping the hull centered as we start pulling her out. We usually have to back in and out a few times to get her centered and winched up tight. I'd guess that you might have to do that a couple of times even with guide posts if you are particular. I used to have a keel guide but since the ramp gets deep so quickly it was about useless. The first time we tried to haul her out and didn't have her centered well enough she crushed one guide so I took them off. Keel guides might be great if you have a good ramp with a flat bottom and more or less the right angle between the keel and the trailer. The wing is the problem... The guide has to come in close to the keel above the wings to do you any good. Else they are above the guides and will bend the hell out of them when you try and pull her out. I had an O'Day 20 with a fixed keel and a centerboard that was easy to haul as the V shaped (wide to aft, snug to the fore) rolling keel guides kept her centered pretty nicely. John, from Wichita, has a good point: A Catalina 22 with a swing keel would probably be easier to retrieve. So would a water ballasted Hunter 240 or 260... Probably easier to step the mast as well as they came with a mast raising system.
As I leave my H23 wing keel on a buoy all summer I only have to retrieve her once in the fall. I suppose it would be doable alone if I were to add a couple of guide posts to the trailer to keep the hull centered over the trailer while she if floating free. I have a nice deep, level, concrete ramp to launch/retrieve from. That's a plus as I don't have to back in too far and she will float off nicely and we have a nice dock adjacent to the ramp that assists greatly. Without guide posts it is a two or three man job keeping the hull centered as we start pulling her out. We usually have to back in and out a few times to get her centered and winched up tight. I'd guess that you might have to do that a couple of times even with guide posts if you are particular. I used to have a keel guide but since the ramp gets deep so quickly it was about useless. The first time we tried to haul her out and didn't have her centered well enough she crushed one guide so I took them off. Keel guides might be great if you have a good ramp with a flat bottom and more or less the right angle between the keel and the trailer. The wing is the problem... The guide has to come in close to the keel above the wings to do you any good. Else they are above the guides and will bend the hell out of them when you try and pull her out. I had an O'Day 20 with a fixed keel and a centerboard that was easy to haul as the V shaped (wide to aft, snug to the fore) rolling keel guides kept her centered pretty nicely. John, from Wichita, has a good point: A Catalina 22 with a swing keel would probably be easier to retrieve. So would a water ballasted Hunter 240 or 260... Probably easier to step the mast as well as they came with a mast raising system.
Retrieving the boat is not easy
I love my H23, but I think that if I had to load it onto the trailer every time I was done sailing, I just would not sail a lot. The boat is easy to launch, but getting it well situated on the trailer would be real tough for a single person. I always have at least my wife with me when we retrieve in the fall. Usually one of my son's join us. We use about a 6' long 2x2 with a rope loop tied at the end. My wife or son stands on the dock that is beside the launch ramp with the loop attached to the winch. As I crank the boat up, she pushes or pulls the back so that it is "square" on the trailer. It usually takes two trys. I will say that my launch is not level or very forgiving and the end of the paved ramp drops off about 10" because all the bass boats just drive their boats onto their trailers and the prop wash blasts everthing away at the end of the ramp. My humbe opinion, as much as I love the H23, is that it is not the boat for your current situation. Try to find a place to let her float. Good luck and Good sailing.
I love my H23, but I think that if I had to load it onto the trailer every time I was done sailing, I just would not sail a lot. The boat is easy to launch, but getting it well situated on the trailer would be real tough for a single person. I always have at least my wife with me when we retrieve in the fall. Usually one of my son's join us. We use about a 6' long 2x2 with a rope loop tied at the end. My wife or son stands on the dock that is beside the launch ramp with the loop attached to the winch. As I crank the boat up, she pushes or pulls the back so that it is "square" on the trailer. It usually takes two trys. I will say that my launch is not level or very forgiving and the end of the paved ramp drops off about 10" because all the bass boats just drive their boats onto their trailers and the prop wash blasts everthing away at the end of the ramp. My humbe opinion, as much as I love the H23, is that it is not the boat for your current situation. Try to find a place to let her float. Good luck and Good sailing.
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Brian
Thanks
Thanks to everyone for their input. I am not going to purchase the 23 as I too feel it would be too dificult to load on the trailer by my self. I will save my money and buy a 240 perhaps. Brian
Thanks to everyone for their input. I am not going to purchase the 23 as I too feel it would be too dificult to load on the trailer by my self. I will save my money and buy a 240 perhaps. Brian
h 23
Dont take this the wrong way because I am happy with my 23 but there are a ton of trailerable boats out there in that size range. Dont limit yourself to the hunters, have you looked at the 19 or the west wright potters ? Precision made a nice model I think it was a 192 . There are lots of choices . You may want to do some additonal reading , /. Pick up a copy of sailing big on a small boat, Jerry Cardwell or some thing like that , I have it somewhere . I know the last time I referenced it I had the authors name wrong . Do not give up on a larger boat just look harder, good luck Mike
Dont take this the wrong way because I am happy with my 23 but there are a ton of trailerable boats out there in that size range. Dont limit yourself to the hunters, have you looked at the 19 or the west wright potters ? Precision made a nice model I think it was a 192 . There are lots of choices . You may want to do some additonal reading , /. Pick up a copy of sailing big on a small boat, Jerry Cardwell or some thing like that , I have it somewhere . I know the last time I referenced it I had the authors name wrong . Do not give up on a larger boat just look harder, good luck Mike
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bill
h23 vs c22
As a frequent sailor on the c22 (a firends) and the h23 (mine), both are older models ('85 for the 23 and '87 for the 22). I think the 23 is faster and sails better, but the c22 is easier to put in and out of the water and the interior space is better for living (no bulkhead, dinette). I race the 23 some and wet sail, so the 23 is the better choice for me.
As a frequent sailor on the c22 (a firends) and the h23 (mine), both are older models ('85 for the 23 and '87 for the 22). I think the 23 is faster and sails better, but the c22 is easier to put in and out of the water and the interior space is better for living (no bulkhead, dinette). I race the 23 some and wet sail, so the 23 is the better choice for me.
good source for used sailboats
Take a look at sailingtexas.com. There is a H23 on there. I sold my H23 on that site and I got inquiries from the Midwest to Texas and I am in Iowa. It's a great boat, by the way, but needs two people to step the mast unless you come up with a ginpole (sp) setup.
Take a look at sailingtexas.com. There is a H23 on there. I sold my H23 on that site and I got inquiries from the Midwest to Texas and I am in Iowa. It's a great boat, by the way, but needs two people to step the mast unless you come up with a ginpole (sp) setup.
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Brian
What about loading
My only concern is the loading on to the trailer. I am usually alone. The ramp is very good with a dock next to it. I think the keel may give me problems. What say you Brian
My only concern is the loading on to the trailer. I am usually alone. The ramp is very good with a dock next to it. I think the keel may give me problems. What say you Brian
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Steve
marginally trailerable
Just to add to the consensus...I love my H23, but also put her in in the spring and take her out in the fall. This boat and trailer is at the far marginal edge of "trailerable". I owned a swing keel Cat22 prior to my H23...mush easier to trailer/rig but a slug compared to the H23. good luck
Just to add to the consensus...I love my H23, but also put her in in the spring and take her out in the fall. This boat and trailer is at the far marginal edge of "trailerable". I owned a swing keel Cat22 prior to my H23...mush easier to trailer/rig but a slug compared to the H23. good luck
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