I am looking for info on a Hunter 23

[stephenson.ronald@gmail.c]

I spoke to an owner of a Hunter 260 and he said the 23.5 was just like the 260. I liked his boat so I started to look for a 23.5 but I found a 1990 23.

I assume the 23.5 is newer version of the 23. I assume the bars to help raise the mast, the water ballast, and the open stern came with the newly designed 23.5

The 23 I am looking at has a wing keel. I looks interesting but I wonder how well it goes to weather? It also looks like the boat sits higher on the trailer, therefore would require the trailer to be put farther in the water.

Do they still make a sailboat in the 23 foot range with a wing keel? If not why not?

What advantages does the new 23.5 offered over the older 23 foot boat in terms of performance?

I also saw a Hunter 22 for sale. I have no idea what year it is. Can you tell me the difference between the 22'boat and the 23' boat besides the obvious?

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

The best information is your own eyes on board the boat you're interested in. The h23 points just fine, thank you. I've raced mine from time to time, had a lot of fun and pointed as well as the fin keels. Never did any comparison of leeway, so I cannot comment on that. The h22 has a swing keel, so does not need as much water, although like any swing keel, if you've got the keel up, it won't point as high and has more leeway. H22s are relatively roomy and comfortable boats. The 23.5 was a later entry to that size range. While I have not sailed an h23.5, looking at them and talking with owners suggests that they have more interior volume, and consequently more windage. The whole point of water ballast is to produce a lighter trailer load, and because its a swing keel, it can sit closer to the ground on the trailer - which affects how far you have to back into the water for launching and retrieving your boat.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The 23.5 was designed specifically for trailer sailing which is very easy to get the mast up and down, single hand and most importantly launch very easily. This boat replaced the 23 wing keel as that is what folks were looking for. The 23 did not come standard with a mast raising system which the 23.5 did. The 23 also sits a lot higher on the trailer and can be a pain getting on and off the trailer by yourself. As to sailing characteristics, the 23.5 will sail competively if you do not heel over 12-14 degrees as you sail faster and flatter plus women will not chicken choke you for extreme heeling either. The same can be said of the 23 wing keel and many other trailerables sailing faster flatter thru sail control and/or reduced sail.