I just brought home a 1987 Hunter 23 that seems to be in good solid shape. I am moving up from the Hunter 170. I am sure I will have lots of questions as I get to know the boat. But for now, is there any thing in particular I should know about or should check? Thanks, Brian
Hunter 23
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Check cockpit drain hose
Crawl inside the cockpit storage locker and carefully inspect the condition of the hose from the cockpit drain. If this rots & lets go, all water will end in the bilge & possible sinking. Easy fix if required to. Also rebed the lower ( better to do both) gundgeons mounted on the transome. They are often under water and mine have leaked in the past.
Crawl inside the cockpit storage locker and carefully inspect the condition of the hose from the cockpit drain. If this rots & lets go, all water will end in the bilge & possible sinking. Easy fix if required to. Also rebed the lower ( better to do both) gundgeons mounted on the transome. They are often under water and mine have leaked in the past.
Anchor locker drain...
In addition to checking your cockpit drain hose and rudder gundgeons you may want to look at the anchor well drain hose as well. Those are the big three leak sources. All three were sources of leaks on my '84 H23 when I acquired it a few years ago.
In addition to checking your cockpit drain hose and rudder gundgeons you may want to look at the anchor well drain hose as well. Those are the big three leak sources. All three were sources of leaks on my '84 H23 when I acquired it a few years ago.
Read the archives
There's all kinds of good stuff that has been posted over the years by many H23 sailors. I remember when I was an H23 newbie and found this forum. Some of those who helped me a lot back then (Jon Bastien and Cliff Ruckstuhl to name two) have moved on but their legacy remains for all new h23 sailors. Welcome aboard and enjoy. Peter H23 "Raven"
There's all kinds of good stuff that has been posted over the years by many H23 sailors. I remember when I was an H23 newbie and found this forum. Some of those who helped me a lot back then (Jon Bastien and Cliff Ruckstuhl to name two) have moved on but their legacy remains for all new h23 sailors. Welcome aboard and enjoy. Peter H23 "Raven"
Welcome Bian!
I think you will love the boat! Does it have a swing keel? apparently the swing keel H23s are kind of rare. I like it though. Fair winds! Denise
I think you will love the boat! Does it have a swing keel? apparently the swing keel H23s are kind of rare. I like it though. Fair winds! Denise
The Greatest risk
I have found after several years of sailing my 87 h23 is that it has been known to cause irreversable grinnig and smiling that doesn't go away until a couple of days after your back to work, and then resumes the next time your sailing again. Fair Winds Dave h23 "Wind Dreamer"
I have found after several years of sailing my 87 h23 is that it has been known to cause irreversable grinnig and smiling that doesn't go away until a couple of days after your back to work, and then resumes the next time your sailing again. Fair Winds Dave h23 "Wind Dreamer"
love mine
Mine's also an '87. I love the lighter, bendy Z spar mast over the white kenyon. Have done many mods on my boat of which many are described and depicted here. You've found a great boat and a great site! Feel free to ask anything you like. Denise I believe the centerboard 23 was an '85.
Mine's also an '87. I love the lighter, bendy Z spar mast over the white kenyon. Have done many mods on my boat of which many are described and depicted here. You've found a great boat and a great site! Feel free to ask anything you like. Denise I believe the centerboard 23 was an '85.
A few things to check
Some of the mandatory fixes over the years: 1. Check the chainplate cover plate. If it leaks, water will soak the balsa deck core (not good) and rot the bulkhead where the chainplates are bolted (even worse). There is no way to check this without lowering the mast and unbolting the chainplates. Do not be timid about this. 2. The traveler has two tiny drains at the front of the cockpit that are easily blocked. If the boat heels even two degrees, rain1water can accumulate in the low corner and flow over the lip of the companionway into the cabin. I drilled a couple of 3/8" holes through the traveler base at both ends so the water can get out. 3. The original Pero stern lights are prone to failure and the bulbs are a pain to get at. I replaced mine with an Aqua Signal. 4. Check the condition of your sliding hatch and side ports. If they're original they might not have much life left. The last thing you want here is a leak. 5. If you plan to trailer the boat a lot, invest in a mast-raising system and some keel guides (check the Photo Forum). They will make boat retrieval a LOT easier. Those are the main ones I had. There were some others but they were optional e.g. adjustable traveler, adjustable backstay, genoa tracks and adjustable turning blocks, cunningham and boom vang led back to cockpit, etc. Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Some of the mandatory fixes over the years: 1. Check the chainplate cover plate. If it leaks, water will soak the balsa deck core (not good) and rot the bulkhead where the chainplates are bolted (even worse). There is no way to check this without lowering the mast and unbolting the chainplates. Do not be timid about this. 2. The traveler has two tiny drains at the front of the cockpit that are easily blocked. If the boat heels even two degrees, rain1water can accumulate in the low corner and flow over the lip of the companionway into the cabin. I drilled a couple of 3/8" holes through the traveler base at both ends so the water can get out. 3. The original Pero stern lights are prone to failure and the bulbs are a pain to get at. I replaced mine with an Aqua Signal. 4. Check the condition of your sliding hatch and side ports. If they're original they might not have much life left. The last thing you want here is a leak. 5. If you plan to trailer the boat a lot, invest in a mast-raising system and some keel guides (check the Photo Forum). They will make boat retrieval a LOT easier. Those are the main ones I had. There were some others but they were optional e.g. adjustable traveler, adjustable backstay, genoa tracks and adjustable turning blocks, cunningham and boom vang led back to cockpit, etc. Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Thanks so much
Thanks for all your help. Denise, mine is the wing keel . Keep you comments coming, please. I will ask new questions as they come up but thanks in advance for all your help. Brian
Thanks for all your help. Denise, mine is the wing keel . Keep you comments coming, please. I will ask new questions as they come up but thanks in advance for all your help. Brian
Congrats on your purchase
Good job Brian! You finally found a replacement for your 170. I'm hoping to look for something bigger next spring... well I am, but the wife isn't so sure yet. I can't wait to see some pictures once you add some personal tweeks. Don't feel like a stranger over on the daysailer forum, stop in and chat every now and then. JerryA - Purr'n 170
Good job Brian! You finally found a replacement for your 170. I'm hoping to look for something bigger next spring... well I am, but the wife isn't so sure yet. I can't wait to see some pictures once you add some personal tweeks. Don't feel like a stranger over on the daysailer forum, stop in and chat every now and then. JerryA - Purr'n 170
only 85's swing
denise, hunter 23 the only 23' with the swing keel are the 1985. of which ii am the owner of one. bs
denise, hunter 23 the only 23' with the swing keel are the 1985. of which ii am the owner of one. bs
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