2001 will be my first year of sailing experience. I have owned verity of 22' - 30' power boats over the past 10 years, and now decided to start sailing. I am looking for a comfortable and reliable sailboat that would take it easy on my learning curve and will be reliable for Long Island sound. Everybody suggested Hunter 23 or 25 to start with. I am concerned if 23' is big enough for a sound, and how to start with 23' sailboat being totally new to sailing. Any inside, tips and/or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have some ideas on the prices (for new and used Hunters), it would help me big time. Thank you.
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I've owned both
Hello, I've owned both a H23 and a H25, and sailed both in the open waters around Key West. Here are my thoughts... The H23 is a great little boat to learn sailing in- It handles quickly and easily, but is prone to weather helm (a tendency to try and point into the wind), and doesn't sail well hard to winward- If you try to point too high, you'll end up going sideways instead of forward. I also find that in anything more than 1-2 foot waves, it's a rough ride! It has enough space below decks for 2 people to travel somewhat comfortably, but only for weekending. The H25 is an older design, but a very solid and stable boat. It doesn't look as sleek as the H23, but it has TONS of space below decks! There's enough room to sleep 4 people comfortably, and it adds a galley and a real head (not a porta-john) to the mix. It will handle 3-5 foot seas with ease, and is a much more comfortable ride... The H25 sails well, though she responds quite differently to helm inputs than the H23 did. She doesn't turn as fast, or heel as far, and it tends to track a course and stay on her feet pretty well. It's not the fastest boat in its class (in fact, it may be the slowest...), but is IS the most comfortable. In short, If you want a day-sailer and occasional club racer that will teach you the ins-'n-outs of small boat handling, get the H23. If you're looking for a comfortable weekender that can handle unexpected rough weather, get the H25. You should be able to find either one pretty cheap... and you won't regret buying either one! Good luck finding your dream boat... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' (...and formerly H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind')
Hello, I've owned both a H23 and a H25, and sailed both in the open waters around Key West. Here are my thoughts... The H23 is a great little boat to learn sailing in- It handles quickly and easily, but is prone to weather helm (a tendency to try and point into the wind), and doesn't sail well hard to winward- If you try to point too high, you'll end up going sideways instead of forward. I also find that in anything more than 1-2 foot waves, it's a rough ride! It has enough space below decks for 2 people to travel somewhat comfortably, but only for weekending. The H25 is an older design, but a very solid and stable boat. It doesn't look as sleek as the H23, but it has TONS of space below decks! There's enough room to sleep 4 people comfortably, and it adds a galley and a real head (not a porta-john) to the mix. It will handle 3-5 foot seas with ease, and is a much more comfortable ride... The H25 sails well, though she responds quite differently to helm inputs than the H23 did. She doesn't turn as fast, or heel as far, and it tends to track a course and stay on her feet pretty well. It's not the fastest boat in its class (in fact, it may be the slowest...), but is IS the most comfortable. In short, If you want a day-sailer and occasional club racer that will teach you the ins-'n-outs of small boat handling, get the H23. If you're looking for a comfortable weekender that can handle unexpected rough weather, get the H25. You should be able to find either one pretty cheap... and you won't regret buying either one! Good luck finding your dream boat... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' (...and formerly H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind')
23 or a 25.5
I haved owned both of these boats and they both are real good boat's for there purpose. The 23 is sleek and fast but all in all it is still a 23. We raced ours and was easy to trailor and sailed nice. The 25.5 is probably the best 28 and under boat out there and should be given a sersious look at. It has it all big boat feel when the weather gets bad and small boat feel when your needing to manuaver in and around the dock. We sailed ours on Lake Erie for two seasons in some big waves and the boat handled it wonderfully. We also pulled it to Lake Mich. for a week at a time and it was just perfect for us and sailed the big rollers of Lake Mich real nice. The 25.5 would be my first choice mostly because it offers so much more than the 23. You should be able to find one at a good price. Also there is a shoal draft model like I had and the boat is a JOY to sail. Cliff
I haved owned both of these boats and they both are real good boat's for there purpose. The 23 is sleek and fast but all in all it is still a 23. We raced ours and was easy to trailor and sailed nice. The 25.5 is probably the best 28 and under boat out there and should be given a sersious look at. It has it all big boat feel when the weather gets bad and small boat feel when your needing to manuaver in and around the dock. We sailed ours on Lake Erie for two seasons in some big waves and the boat handled it wonderfully. We also pulled it to Lake Mich. for a week at a time and it was just perfect for us and sailed the big rollers of Lake Mich real nice. The 25.5 would be my first choice mostly because it offers so much more than the 23. You should be able to find one at a good price. Also there is a shoal draft model like I had and the boat is a JOY to sail. Cliff
Starter Boats
I own a 25 and have sailed a friends 23. I believe that the 25 is the better starter boat. The 23's weather helm is the principle reason. There are also many other good boats in the 22 to 25 range that are worth considering. Have fun shopping, you'll know when you find the right boat.
I own a 25 and have sailed a friends 23. I believe that the 25 is the better starter boat. The 23's weather helm is the principle reason. There are also many other good boats in the 22 to 25 range that are worth considering. Have fun shopping, you'll know when you find the right boat.
25+ Footer
Serge, I'd go with a 25 footer for the Sound. The points have been fairly raised already about the 23. I also agree with the relative assessments between the 25 and 25.5. IMHO, the 25.5 is the better boat, based on 9 years of owning a 25.5 and familiarity with several friends' 25's. Either boat would be fine for your purpose but I think you will enjoy a 25.5 more. Just remember that these boats are aging and you will find great variations in the condition of any 15 or 20 year old sailboat. After all, you want to spend more time sailing than repairing! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Serge, I'd go with a 25 footer for the Sound. The points have been fairly raised already about the 23. I also agree with the relative assessments between the 25 and 25.5. IMHO, the 25.5 is the better boat, based on 9 years of owning a 25.5 and familiarity with several friends' 25's. Either boat would be fine for your purpose but I think you will enjoy a 25.5 more. Just remember that these boats are aging and you will find great variations in the condition of any 15 or 20 year old sailboat. After all, you want to spend more time sailing than repairing! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
h23 vs h25
I own a h23, and have for the last 6 years. We race the boat in the Atlanic Ocean 20-30 times a year. We have done windward-leeward buoy races as well as coastal races up to 40 mile distance. I have learned on the h23. The boat has been inexpensive to operate. New main sail cost me less than $800 a new 135 jib cost me less than $600. The boat has won its share. I must admit that she really likes lite air and has difficulty in strong winds and counter currents. But if you want to learn how to sail and do it with out spending alot of money the h23 is a good choice. Don't know alot about the h25 or h25.5, but I believe they predate my 1988 h23. As Dick said, price vs condition should be an issue. I suspect that on Long Island Sound your sailing will be done during the summer. How are the winds during that time of year? If predominant winds are 10-15 the 23 may be fine. If winds go over 15 alot then the 25 might be best. Bottom line is that either boat is a great first boat. They are forgiving, simple and easy to operate. When you learn how to sail one of these boats, you will be able to sail almost any boat of any size. Good Luck in you evaluation and search for the right boat for you.
I own a h23, and have for the last 6 years. We race the boat in the Atlanic Ocean 20-30 times a year. We have done windward-leeward buoy races as well as coastal races up to 40 mile distance. I have learned on the h23. The boat has been inexpensive to operate. New main sail cost me less than $800 a new 135 jib cost me less than $600. The boat has won its share. I must admit that she really likes lite air and has difficulty in strong winds and counter currents. But if you want to learn how to sail and do it with out spending alot of money the h23 is a good choice. Don't know alot about the h25 or h25.5, but I believe they predate my 1988 h23. As Dick said, price vs condition should be an issue. I suspect that on Long Island Sound your sailing will be done during the summer. How are the winds during that time of year? If predominant winds are 10-15 the 23 may be fine. If winds go over 15 alot then the 25 might be best. Bottom line is that either boat is a great first boat. They are forgiving, simple and easy to operate. When you learn how to sail one of these boats, you will be able to sail almost any boat of any size. Good Luck in you evaluation and search for the right boat for you.
getting started,
I have a 1989h23 and we love the boat, have owned the boat going on 6 seasons, one thing you might want to consider that I have not seen addressed here , aside from sailing you might need to launch ,trailer and retrieve, even if you intend to do this one time per season , it still should be considered, when we got our h23 we had been sailing for years on smaller day sailers, but without a doubt to me the single most intimidating issue was getting this thing back on the trailer, I do not know how much difference there would be between the two boats but do think it should be considered, also raising lowering mast, etc etc,good LUck check archives on these issues Mike B,
I have a 1989h23 and we love the boat, have owned the boat going on 6 seasons, one thing you might want to consider that I have not seen addressed here , aside from sailing you might need to launch ,trailer and retrieve, even if you intend to do this one time per season , it still should be considered, when we got our h23 we had been sailing for years on smaller day sailers, but without a doubt to me the single most intimidating issue was getting this thing back on the trailer, I do not know how much difference there would be between the two boats but do think it should be considered, also raising lowering mast, etc etc,good LUck check archives on these issues Mike B,
Wow, Rick, good deal!
I just got the bill for 2001...about $2200 to launch, slip, pull, wrap, and store this year. I'd say you are getting a pretty good deal!
I just got the bill for 2001...about $2200 to launch, slip, pull, wrap, and store this year. I'd say you are getting a pretty good deal!
H25 works
I have a '78 H25 that I bought a couple years ago. It's been a great starter boat for my wife and I. I do most of the work myself as the first mate likes to enjoy the sun. We have it on Lake Superior out of Duluth, MN. The boat was in excellent condition having only one previous owner. Trailer came with. I saw a lot of boats in the same age group when I first started looking, everything from trash and upward. Take you time to see what's out there and you should be able to find something in the $5000 range in good condition. You'll want to sail on weekends and not spend too much time working to fix a "handyman's special."
I have a '78 H25 that I bought a couple years ago. It's been a great starter boat for my wife and I. I do most of the work myself as the first mate likes to enjoy the sun. We have it on Lake Superior out of Duluth, MN. The boat was in excellent condition having only one previous owner. Trailer came with. I saw a lot of boats in the same age group when I first started looking, everything from trash and upward. Take you time to see what's out there and you should be able to find something in the $5000 range in good condition. You'll want to sail on weekends and not spend too much time working to fix a "handyman's special."
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