On Saturday, the H23 finally hit the water. I've had the boat for just over a year but never was able to get it in the water last season due to mooring and slip availabilty (none), boat ramp access (most in the area are tidal which means I could get her in or out but not both on the same day), etc. Things went very well for a first launching. Stepped the mast twice. I forgot to attach the windex the first time but the practice is good. (In the rain of course.) Actually backed up the trailer without a hitch which was one of my nervous parts seeing that I had never used any type of trailer before. She just barely made it off the trailer. A few less inches and we would have had to wait fro another day. Powered down the river which was interesting. It's a tidal river with very few channel markers. Guessing where the river stayed deepest was a challenge but we made it without touching. The 9.9 four stroke worked admirably. Had to plow through some choppy waters at the head of the river. Tide going out plus wind blowing in made for some 2-3 foot waves. Pretty much plowed / feathered our way through until we got to clear water on the other side. Went to put the sails up. Little wind but you have to do it. FIRST problem. Jib sheets missing. The former owner said all was there. I saw a line all bundled up nicely which would have been a good one to use. Of course I made the mistake of never looking at the line. Ended up being four smaller lines bundled together. We jurry rigged a couple lines together so we could at least try to sail which worked okay giventhere wasn't any wind. QUESTION # 1 Now I need to buy new sheets for the jib. Any suggestion on size / length for an 1987 H23? Lights all worked when on the trailer. AFter reaching the slip, the front bow light doesn't work. The stern light does and since there both on the same circuit, I hoping it's just a blown bulb form trailering, pounding through surf, etc. Second problem: VHF radio receives but does not transmit. Luckily (or actually due to numerous USPS courses) I had a backup VHF handheld with me. Needed this to get through a railroad bridge. The connector onthe deck for the coax looks somewhat suspect so I'm hoping that is the cause. Otherwise, I'll rely on the handlheld for the season. Third problem: Mast head light doesn't work (of course). I did check the bulb before launching and it was still good but made the mistake of not moving the mast to check to see if it actually lit. This connector also looks suspect so again, I'm hoping that's all there is to that. All in all. It was a great first launching. Although I am getting some funny looks in the slip. I'm using my slip for my 20 foot power boat until my mooring for the sailboat is ready. The other folks already in their slips are looking oddly at a sailboat in a row full of other power boats. Oh well.
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mikeepp
feedback
My 23 is also an '87. My jibsheet is a 3/8th's line. Get about 40 feet and stick a loop through the clew, then put the two loose ends through the loop.........hence you don't have to cut the line. 40 feet should be plenty...........you might trim some off later. the masthead light is notorious for a bad connection at the deck plug. Clean the connection pins with sandpaper. Bad nav lights sounds like a job for a voltmeter. Incidently........a cool tip for backing a trailer is to steer by the bottom of the steering wheel............the wheel goes left, the trailer goes left........wheel goes right, trailer goes right.
My 23 is also an '87. My jibsheet is a 3/8th's line. Get about 40 feet and stick a loop through the clew, then put the two loose ends through the loop.........hence you don't have to cut the line. 40 feet should be plenty...........you might trim some off later. the masthead light is notorious for a bad connection at the deck plug. Clean the connection pins with sandpaper. Bad nav lights sounds like a job for a voltmeter. Incidently........a cool tip for backing a trailer is to steer by the bottom of the steering wheel............the wheel goes left, the trailer goes left........wheel goes right, trailer goes right.
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Joel
Thanks for the advise
Sounds like your line recommendation confirms what my friend was recommending. (His boat is a Norlin 34 used mostly for racing so his numbers are a little larger). He was recommending 50 feet of 7/16 tied with a cow hitch at the clew. Also had the same suggestion of make it long and trim it down later if it's too long. I fixed the bow light yesterday. Was just a blown bulb. My next plan was to clean the contacts on the mast head connector. The pins do look all nasty brown and corroded. Hopefully, a little sandpaper will clean this up, although I'm not pleased with the way it mates to the female connector on the deck. Feels very loose and prone to disconnecting. Thanks for your suggestions. It does feel like a fun boat to sail. I even managed to back her into the slip on Saturday which awed some of the other sailboats that are in the marina. (In my marina, 90% boats are powerboats. With very few exceptions, the powerboats back into the slips, the sailboats pull into the slip. Hmmm. Sounds like an interesting forum question. What do you prefer, backing in or pulling in?)
Sounds like your line recommendation confirms what my friend was recommending. (His boat is a Norlin 34 used mostly for racing so his numbers are a little larger). He was recommending 50 feet of 7/16 tied with a cow hitch at the clew. Also had the same suggestion of make it long and trim it down later if it's too long. I fixed the bow light yesterday. Was just a blown bulb. My next plan was to clean the contacts on the mast head connector. The pins do look all nasty brown and corroded. Hopefully, a little sandpaper will clean this up, although I'm not pleased with the way it mates to the female connector on the deck. Feels very loose and prone to disconnecting. Thanks for your suggestions. It does feel like a fun boat to sail. I even managed to back her into the slip on Saturday which awed some of the other sailboats that are in the marina. (In my marina, 90% boats are powerboats. With very few exceptions, the powerboats back into the slips, the sailboats pull into the slip. Hmmm. Sounds like an interesting forum question. What do you prefer, backing in or pulling in?)
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Bob Zanowicz
In the same boat...
I've read the last couple of posts and hopefully in a few weeks I'll be launching for the first time also. I bought my boat from a guy in Staten Island, NY and his boatyard hauled it out last October. So I missed out on the launch/retrival scenario. This is my third boat in 14 years so I'm not quite the neophyte, just new to the Hunter23. My question is, is it easier to step the mast on while on the trailer or is it easier to launch, tie up at the slip, then step? What about using the block on the front stem and using the halyard and winch to raise the mast while another person lifts the mast? Is this worth the effort or could two guys lift it? The mast does seem heavier than my Southcoast 22 mast. Also the smoked plexiglass hatch cover leaks quite a bit if left uncovered. The former owner made a nice navy blue cover which works very well. The only thing is, when you wash the boat, it hard to avoid water in the cabin. Any ideas? Thanks for the info about the light/electical connections. Any other input would be appreciated. Bob
I've read the last couple of posts and hopefully in a few weeks I'll be launching for the first time also. I bought my boat from a guy in Staten Island, NY and his boatyard hauled it out last October. So I missed out on the launch/retrival scenario. This is my third boat in 14 years so I'm not quite the neophyte, just new to the Hunter23. My question is, is it easier to step the mast on while on the trailer or is it easier to launch, tie up at the slip, then step? What about using the block on the front stem and using the halyard and winch to raise the mast while another person lifts the mast? Is this worth the effort or could two guys lift it? The mast does seem heavier than my Southcoast 22 mast. Also the smoked plexiglass hatch cover leaks quite a bit if left uncovered. The former owner made a nice navy blue cover which works very well. The only thing is, when you wash the boat, it hard to avoid water in the cabin. Any ideas? Thanks for the info about the light/electical connections. Any other input would be appreciated. Bob
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Joel
Stepping the mast
Stepping the mast was easier than I was expecting although there were three of us. We used a modified approach to what I have read (and again I was grateful to have a guy with me that has been sailing all sorts of boats for about 45 years.) Many of the posts that I have read suggested tying a line to the jib halyard and then running it through a block at the bow and then back to one of the jib winches. Then as one person lifts, one cranks in on the winch, etc. Instead, this guy tied a bowline loop to the bow. I believe he tied it to the small horizontal metal docking bar but can't remember for sure right now. He then attached the jib halyard to this and used the winch on the mast to hoist while one of us lifted the mast. His thought was that this way, we already had a person at the base of the mast helping to steady. The third person with us held the lower shrouds out on one side which seemd to reduce the temptation to go sideways. It was too much of a blur for me at the time since this was my first stepping episode but it seemed quite uneventful.
Stepping the mast was easier than I was expecting although there were three of us. We used a modified approach to what I have read (and again I was grateful to have a guy with me that has been sailing all sorts of boats for about 45 years.) Many of the posts that I have read suggested tying a line to the jib halyard and then running it through a block at the bow and then back to one of the jib winches. Then as one person lifts, one cranks in on the winch, etc. Instead, this guy tied a bowline loop to the bow. I believe he tied it to the small horizontal metal docking bar but can't remember for sure right now. He then attached the jib halyard to this and used the winch on the mast to hoist while one of us lifted the mast. His thought was that this way, we already had a person at the base of the mast helping to steady. The third person with us held the lower shrouds out on one side which seemd to reduce the temptation to go sideways. It was too much of a blur for me at the time since this was my first stepping episode but it seemed quite uneventful.
Backing into slip
I have done both. Backing in is easy because you have a clear view. If you were going to "Med moor" the boat, you would have to back in too. Most sailors go in bow-first because slips on sailboat-only docks are often set up so the docked boat is bow to the wind. Before auxiliary engines became popular, that was how sailors got in or out under sail alone. The overhang at the bow also allows you to get further into the slip bow-first. Can't do that stern-first. Not only is there little or no stern overhang, many boats (like the H23) have the opposite effect (underbite?). It's easy to damage all the delicate goodies hanging off the transom (rudder, outboard, etc.) if you're not careful. I know.... I used to have a slip on a powerboat dock that faced away from the wind. Peter H23 "Raven"
I have done both. Backing in is easy because you have a clear view. If you were going to "Med moor" the boat, you would have to back in too. Most sailors go in bow-first because slips on sailboat-only docks are often set up so the docked boat is bow to the wind. Before auxiliary engines became popular, that was how sailors got in or out under sail alone. The overhang at the bow also allows you to get further into the slip bow-first. Can't do that stern-first. Not only is there little or no stern overhang, many boats (like the H23) have the opposite effect (underbite?). It's easy to damage all the delicate goodies hanging off the transom (rudder, outboard, etc.) if you're not careful. I know.... I used to have a slip on a powerboat dock that faced away from the wind. Peter H23 "Raven"
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mikeepp
notes on steppin'
I run the jib sheet through a snatch block at the bow but also utilize a jin pole to get a better angle for lifting the mast. But the BIGGEST and simplest helper is a "stepping plank". Simply a wooden ramp constructed to bridge from the top of the transom to the top of the cabin. Build it to fit snug so it won't slip and it will allow you to simply walk the mast up from transom to cabin top without any climbing or stepping through plexiglas. TRY it you'll love it!
I run the jib sheet through a snatch block at the bow but also utilize a jin pole to get a better angle for lifting the mast. But the BIGGEST and simplest helper is a "stepping plank". Simply a wooden ramp constructed to bridge from the top of the transom to the top of the cabin. Build it to fit snug so it won't slip and it will allow you to simply walk the mast up from transom to cabin top without any climbing or stepping through plexiglas. TRY it you'll love it!
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John Thomas
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Joel
Stepping plank alternative
The previous owner of my boat had a similar concept to the stepping plank. He used to pull the step ladder which he used to get up onto the boat into the cabin propping it against the top of the hatch. He would then simply walk across the cockpit and keep walking up the ladder. I didn't try this on this launching since we had plenty of hands as is.
The previous owner of my boat had a similar concept to the stepping plank. He used to pull the step ladder which he used to get up onto the boat into the cabin propping it against the top of the hatch. He would then simply walk across the cockpit and keep walking up the ladder. I didn't try this on this launching since we had plenty of hands as is.
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Joel
Mast Head Light Works
Thanks Mike! You were correct. just a little sandpaper on the connector pins and it lit right up. Now I wish that VHF was so easy. It receives but does not transmit. Checking the continuity of the coax seems okay. (There should be continuity between the center pin and the outside shield, right?) Any one have any ideas on how to determine if the radio has gone bad or the antenna?
Thanks Mike! You were correct. just a little sandpaper on the connector pins and it lit right up. Now I wish that VHF was so easy. It receives but does not transmit. Checking the continuity of the coax seems okay. (There should be continuity between the center pin and the outside shield, right?) Any one have any ideas on how to determine if the radio has gone bad or the antenna?
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Tim Sullivan, PE
That %^$#ing mast head light
I hate my mast head light. We H23 owners need a support group for just the mast head light. Joel, if your H23 is like mine, you will sand those contact every year, screw with the through-deck electrical connector, and still find yourself at anchor at Kelley's Island and no %$#^ing mast head light. Happens every year. Mother nature has found that way to drive me crazy.
I hate my mast head light. We H23 owners need a support group for just the mast head light. Joel, if your H23 is like mine, you will sand those contact every year, screw with the through-deck electrical connector, and still find yourself at anchor at Kelley's Island and no %$#^ing mast head light. Happens every year. Mother nature has found that way to drive me crazy.
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Joel Swan
Electricity an Afterthought
Maybe it's just mine or maybe just the vintage (1987) but the electrical plant on the H23 just seemed to be an afterthought. More likely, it just doesn't age well with all the new electronics you can put on a boat. So far on mine, I've replaced the bow light. (The bulb was blown but the head of the screw holding the lens cap on was stripped by the previous owner. The mast head light didn't work. Ended up being dirty contacts. The VHF radio receives but does not transmit. Could be antenna, coax, cable connectors, bad radio, Replaced the 5 switch fuse panel with a 6 switch one. Added a battery switch (since the new panel had a postive bus bar). Still more to do....
Maybe it's just mine or maybe just the vintage (1987) but the electrical plant on the H23 just seemed to be an afterthought. More likely, it just doesn't age well with all the new electronics you can put on a boat. So far on mine, I've replaced the bow light. (The bulb was blown but the head of the screw holding the lens cap on was stripped by the previous owner. The mast head light didn't work. Ended up being dirty contacts. The VHF radio receives but does not transmit. Could be antenna, coax, cable connectors, bad radio, Replaced the 5 switch fuse panel with a 6 switch one. Added a battery switch (since the new panel had a postive bus bar). Still more to do....
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mikeepp
Damn light
I'm with ya on the masthead mystery light. I sailed across the lake the other night with my masthead light going on and off all the way. I'd go up and wiggle the plug but that didn't seem to make a difference. Then I'd return to the cockpit resigned to it being out and the damn thing would suddenly pop back on............go figger!
I'm with ya on the masthead mystery light. I sailed across the lake the other night with my masthead light going on and off all the way. I'd go up and wiggle the plug but that didn't seem to make a difference. Then I'd return to the cockpit resigned to it being out and the damn thing would suddenly pop back on............go figger!
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Keith Smoot
masthead light connector
My 87H-23 also has the two pin connector for the mast light. I have found that I can spread the pins very slightly with the tip of a knife and make them fit tighter in the socket. This is a constant maintenance problem. Much better would be to replace the connectors alltogether. Any ideas as to what to switch to? By the way. I have been singlehanding Gwaihir since day one, thanks to a gin pole arrainged by Dave Condon. I have also made some mast modifications that help me to raise the mast alone. I have made many boat and trailer modifications that make it easy to trailer, rig, race and cruise Gwaihir by myself.(That way my wife can sit back and steer.) The idea has come to my head to write a small booklet detailing these modifications. I plan pictures and will cover topics such as how to accommadate a second reef in the main, drop and secure the jib in under 30 seconds, how to drive the boat onto the trailer and make it stay while you fasten the bow strap. I have also done a complete eletrical system upgrade, adding two batteries, VHF, depth,speed,GPS,and others. If anyone is interested let me know. Keith Smoot Gwaihir 87 H-23
My 87H-23 also has the two pin connector for the mast light. I have found that I can spread the pins very slightly with the tip of a knife and make them fit tighter in the socket. This is a constant maintenance problem. Much better would be to replace the connectors alltogether. Any ideas as to what to switch to? By the way. I have been singlehanding Gwaihir since day one, thanks to a gin pole arrainged by Dave Condon. I have also made some mast modifications that help me to raise the mast alone. I have made many boat and trailer modifications that make it easy to trailer, rig, race and cruise Gwaihir by myself.(That way my wife can sit back and steer.) The idea has come to my head to write a small booklet detailing these modifications. I plan pictures and will cover topics such as how to accommadate a second reef in the main, drop and secure the jib in under 30 seconds, how to drive the boat onto the trailer and make it stay while you fasten the bow strap. I have also done a complete eletrical system upgrade, adding two batteries, VHF, depth,speed,GPS,and others. If anyone is interested let me know. Keith Smoot Gwaihir 87 H-23
The masthead light was not designed to work
My masthead light works when it feels like, and never at anchor. I crewed on an '87 H37 Legend last year. The masthead light worked so well that it drew the house battery completely down overnight. Maybe this is Hunter's way of making sure we have power in the morning? Peter '88 H23 "Raven"
My masthead light works when it feels like, and never at anchor. I crewed on an '87 H37 Legend last year. The masthead light worked so well that it drew the house battery completely down overnight. Maybe this is Hunter's way of making sure we have power in the morning? Peter '88 H23 "Raven"
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Austin Ransom
Keith's boat manual offer
Hi Keith - I would be very interested in your single handed improvement ideas, especially how you launch and retrieve the boat yourself. Austin
Hi Keith - I would be very interested in your single handed improvement ideas, especially how you launch and retrieve the boat yourself. Austin
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