I don't know much about Hunter sailboats but I found a 1986 on a trailer for $1400 and wanted to know if its a bargain or not. Has main, spinnaker, two motors (2 and 4 stroke). It appears from the pics to have a fixed keel. Any common problems I need to check on the hull or decking.
Looking at a mid-80's Hunter 23 and need advice
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I have a '91 H23, bought in May. I like it, for a glorified day-sailer on a Lake. Wouldn't be too comfortable for extended crusing, though.
$1400 with decent trailer (if it is) and motors (if either works reliably) sounds like a very good deal, if the boat is serviceable. For the most part, I had seen prices from maybe 2500 or 3000 up to as high as 8000 or so (for whihc I'd expect a really pristine boat). You may want to hire a surveyor, I'd guess $300 or so?
Tough to tell from that pic, but the later 23's have a 2' 3" draft winged iron keel (fixed). I think the earlier models, don't know from what year, had a keel/centerboard. My '91 is fixed iron keel (that I had to do a lot of grinding and sanding on, to remove sacly rust and flaking paint, when I first bought it).
Does it have a jib? I think you'll need one, and that could be pricy if missing.
Other than that, how much do you know about glass boats in general? If you feel reasonably sure of yourself, just go through it wiht a fine tooth comb - keel bolts, all bilge areas, look at wood for signs of water incursion (mine had wet plywood bulkheads in the under-berth storage areas on the aft stbd side, for example, as prev owner had let water collect in cockpit and cockpit drain was clogged), stanchions, etc.
I don't know of any specifically common problems, other than to look at all places where there is a hole through the deck, including screws.
$1400 with decent trailer (if it is) and motors (if either works reliably) sounds like a very good deal, if the boat is serviceable. For the most part, I had seen prices from maybe 2500 or 3000 up to as high as 8000 or so (for whihc I'd expect a really pristine boat). You may want to hire a surveyor, I'd guess $300 or so?
Tough to tell from that pic, but the later 23's have a 2' 3" draft winged iron keel (fixed). I think the earlier models, don't know from what year, had a keel/centerboard. My '91 is fixed iron keel (that I had to do a lot of grinding and sanding on, to remove sacly rust and flaking paint, when I first bought it).
Does it have a jib? I think you'll need one, and that could be pricy if missing.
Other than that, how much do you know about glass boats in general? If you feel reasonably sure of yourself, just go through it wiht a fine tooth comb - keel bolts, all bilge areas, look at wood for signs of water incursion (mine had wet plywood bulkheads in the under-berth storage areas on the aft stbd side, for example, as prev owner had let water collect in cockpit and cockpit drain was clogged), stanchions, etc.
I don't know of any specifically common problems, other than to look at all places where there is a hole through the deck, including screws.
Looks to be fairly well maintained just from the pic. The only exception is the hatchet job on the old motor mount. I guess they didn't want to do any glass repair over the old bolt holes. You can sail with the main alone if there is no jib, but you'd really want one soon and if you look around you'd find one cheap that is serviceable (although may not be a perfect fit for the H - 23) on ebay. That model looks like it has the Kenyon Mast/boom which is the more beefy of the 3 types of masts used on that model. The interior carpeting looks good from the pics. I bought mine 2 years ago for 2,500 Without the motor. I'd have jumped on it for 1,400 for sure if it was in the same condition as mine. If you can do a float test or even better take it for a test sail.
Things to look out for? As mentioned inspect the keel bolt area, inside the lazarette for water intrusion - most likely from the cockpit drain hose. It is a 1980's Hunter 23 so there is bound to be a history of water intrusion, you just need to know if it currently has any hull problems. Try to ask the owner if he knows when the stantions and the chainplates have been reseated, age of standing rigging. There are 2 storage/hull access areas underneath the V-berth cushions - check there for water (most likely from the anchor locker leaking). The mast is a 2 (hard) 3 (easier) person job unless you have a mast raising system. Since the Kenyon mast is beefier it is also heavier. The stock trailer, which it appears this boat has, did not come with any brakes. So you may in some states be required to have trailer breaks at a certain weight IIRC. HTH. Good luck.
Edit: FYI. After looking at the pics again, the current configuration of the motor in the upright position would not allow the stern anchor light to be visible for a good part of the port arc looking aft and I do not see a masthead light.
Things to look out for? As mentioned inspect the keel bolt area, inside the lazarette for water intrusion - most likely from the cockpit drain hose. It is a 1980's Hunter 23 so there is bound to be a history of water intrusion, you just need to know if it currently has any hull problems. Try to ask the owner if he knows when the stantions and the chainplates have been reseated, age of standing rigging. There are 2 storage/hull access areas underneath the V-berth cushions - check there for water (most likely from the anchor locker leaking). The mast is a 2 (hard) 3 (easier) person job unless you have a mast raising system. Since the Kenyon mast is beefier it is also heavier. The stock trailer, which it appears this boat has, did not come with any brakes. So you may in some states be required to have trailer breaks at a certain weight IIRC. HTH. Good luck.
Edit: FYI. After looking at the pics again, the current configuration of the motor in the upright position would not allow the stern anchor light to be visible for a good part of the port arc looking aft and I do not see a masthead light.
More info
So I will go look tomorrow am. There is a small language barrier but he also has a Honda outboard 4 stroke that he says runs good.
So this boat has a swing keel or is it stationary?
So I will go look tomorrow am. There is a small language barrier but he also has a Honda outboard 4 stroke that he says runs good.
So this boat has a swing keel or is it stationary?
Re: More info
It should be obvious when you see it "live" if it has the winged fixed keel or a keel/centerboard.
Look carefully at the area under the sliding galley - the photo looks as if there was some water damage and peeling of the plywood under it. Even if it has been somewhat damaged, if it is dry now and you can live with the cosmetics, could be fine.
It should be obvious when you see it "live" if it has the winged fixed keel or a keel/centerboard.
Look carefully at the area under the sliding galley - the photo looks as if there was some water damage and peeling of the plywood under it. Even if it has been somewhat damaged, if it is dry now and you can live with the cosmetics, could be fine.
If this is the type boat you are looking for not sure how you could go wrong with this one as with any boat you will need to do some repairs/personilazation. But for $1400 (and this I assmue is asking price as you have not even seen it yet and the asking price is alway negotiable) you could sell one of the engines and get an even better bargin !
On closer view of the keel photo, it does look like the fixed wing keel - I think I see the wings just next to the trailer fender.
By the way, is this boat on Lake Hopatcong, NJ? Or would it be? Mine is on Wallenpaupack, not that far away, and there are a handful of other H23's that I've seen.
By the way, is this boat on Lake Hopatcong, NJ? Or would it be? Mine is on Wallenpaupack, not that far away, and there are a handful of other H23's that I've seen.
Update
So I took a look at it and it does have the fixed winged keel. What is the draft? Yes it will be on Lake Hopatcong. My slip is right by Riverstyx.
So I took a look at it and it does have the fixed winged keel. What is the draft? Yes it will be on Lake Hopatcong. My slip is right by Riverstyx.
One more update
The boat does have a Main, Jib, and a spinnaker. Are spinnakers common?
Also thanks for all the information.
The boat does have a Main, Jib, and a spinnaker. Are spinnakers common?
Also thanks for all the information.
Re: One more update
Depends on what you mean by "common". For racing, sure. Cruising? I find them kind of a pain to use, and have no pole anyway on my boat. Is this a symmetrical spinnaker or an assymm? The latter are easier to use, IMHO. Does it have the spinnaker pole? If all the sails are in decent condition, that is probably a pretty good deal.
Depends on what you mean by "common". For racing, sure. Cruising? I find them kind of a pain to use, and have no pole anyway on my boat. Is this a symmetrical spinnaker or an assymm? The latter are easier to use, IMHO. Does it have the spinnaker pole? If all the sails are in decent condition, that is probably a pretty good deal.
Looks like a great deal!
There is a good review of the 23 here:
http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/articles/index.cgi/noframes/read/110
Check out my album, if you wish, for some pictures of zincs on the keel, a simple traveler pulley system, and some other stuff.
-Chris
There is a good review of the 23 here:
http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/articles/index.cgi/noframes/read/110
Check out my album, if you wish, for some pictures of zincs on the keel, a simple traveler pulley system, and some other stuff.
-Chris
Thanks for the review on trailersailor I read that yesterday. So I pulled the trigger and drove it home tonight. I did find 2 things that bothered me, there was a piece of wood that did have water damage right when you enter the cabin behind the stairs. It didnt appear to be structual. Also up by the head there was a piece of rotted wood be again it was only a divider and everything else up by the bow looked great.
I got him down though to $1200 which I thought was a great deal. The sails look good, I think one is the Gen 130, Main, and a colorful spinnaker.
God I can't wait for summer and its only December... : (
I got him down though to $1200 which I thought was a great deal. The sails look good, I think one is the Gen 130, Main, and a colorful spinnaker.
God I can't wait for summer and its only December... : (
If those are your only problems then I'd say you made out like a bandit!
As for the rotten wood.. use the money you talked the seller down to replace it. I've found that even though it may not look like it, most of the wood on these boats do serve some structural purpose and should be maintained in good condition. Sounds like you have a couple of easy fixes there, and given the time of year, plenty of time to get them replaced before the season starts up for you.
Good luck with it.. nice boat, you will have fun for sure!
Cheers,
Brad
Thanks, all this info makes my wife feel better about her investment. ; ) Now if I can just figure out how to get this small ship to fit on the side of my house till spring.......
If you mean the rear bulk head, which runs from port side to just under the cockpit, replace it. Take the old one out, use it as a template, and glass the new one back in place. Same for the other bulkhead under the v-berth. According to Hunter, every piece of wood that is angled in the direction of port to starboard is structural. The rear bulkhead is kinda like a Z shape when looking at it from overhead. It starts at the port side and runs to under the cockpit, then runs the length of the cockpit, and then turns to the starboard side.
I have a hunter 23 that I an restoring. I was rather stupid when I bought it, and I did not get nearly as good of a deal as I though I was getting. What's new right? I hope you faired better.
The good news is that it is a relatively small boat and even if you replace everything (which I have practically done) it is not as much of a project as a larger boat.
With what I have done, I have a stronger boat that I know everything about. So in that effect, I am happy.
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