I am looking to purchase a Hunter 23.5. In reviewing the deck layout I am concerned that it appears the skipper needs to reach over/around the crew to get to the mainsheet. Is this a problem? I would be grateful for any comments. Thanks Grant
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Put them to work! 
I am not sure I totally understand your question. The main sheet for the 23.5 is in the center of the cockpit, attached to a U-Bolt just before the cabin entrance. If you are talking about the main halyard, it is on the starboard side, just by the hatch. I guess that if you had crew sitting in the cockpit and you were the only one to touch the mainsail, then yes you would need to have them move to raise the sail. Once the sail is up, it is up (unless you need to reef it) and is pretty much hands off. If you are truly talking about the mainsheet, it is not in the way of the crew provided they are sitting in the cockpit out of the way of the boom. My biggest concern with the mainsheet is my youngest fingers getting pinched in the pulleys. That is why we have a strict DO NOT TOUCH policy with the mainsheet. Outside of that it isn’t in the way and no one messes with it but me. What I do is put my crew to work. If they are able, they are working, and they like being part of the day. Usually I will hand off the tiller to my wife or son while I raise the main (faster and easier for me to do it), but on tacks, I stay on the tiller while they work the jib. Hope that helped answer your question, and for what it is worth, you can’t go wrong with a 23.5, it is a great starter/small boat. We have had ours two seasons now and the five of us sleep comfortable on her (even with a 60lb lab). Good luck and happy sailing!
I am not sure I totally understand your question. The main sheet for the 23.5 is in the center of the cockpit, attached to a U-Bolt just before the cabin entrance. If you are talking about the main halyard, it is on the starboard side, just by the hatch. I guess that if you had crew sitting in the cockpit and you were the only one to touch the mainsail, then yes you would need to have them move to raise the sail. Once the sail is up, it is up (unless you need to reef it) and is pretty much hands off. If you are truly talking about the mainsheet, it is not in the way of the crew provided they are sitting in the cockpit out of the way of the boom. My biggest concern with the mainsheet is my youngest fingers getting pinched in the pulleys. That is why we have a strict DO NOT TOUCH policy with the mainsheet. Outside of that it isn’t in the way and no one messes with it but me. What I do is put my crew to work. If they are able, they are working, and they like being part of the day.
Usually I will hand off the tiller to my wife or son while I raise the main (faster and easier for me to do it), but on tacks, I stay on the tiller while they work the jib. Hope that helped answer your question, and for what it is worth, you can’t go wrong with a 23.5, it is a great starter/small boat. We have had ours two seasons now and the five of us sleep comfortable on her (even with a 60lb lab). Good luck and happy sailing!
No problem
Main sheet is absolutely accessible. The jib sheets *can* be obstructed by crew. It's also a bit of a reach to adjust them from where I normally sit when at the helm. I installed swivel jib sheet cleats late in the season & am experimenting with crossing the leads so the leeward sheet is led to the windward cleat. Much easier to reach, but the only problem is they cross over the companionway. While we normally cruise with the plexiglass slider open -- especially on light-winded days -- it's probably a more seaman-like practice to keep that slider closed.
Main sheet is absolutely accessible. The jib sheets *can* be obstructed by crew. It's also a bit of a reach to adjust them from where I normally sit when at the helm. I installed swivel jib sheet cleats late in the season & am experimenting with crossing the leads so the leeward sheet is led to the windward cleat. Much easier to reach, but the only problem is they cross over the companionway. While we normally cruise with the plexiglass slider open -- especially on light-winded days -- it's probably a more seaman-like practice to keep that slider closed.
Mainsheet
Rick is right if everyone knows the problem. In many small boats such as the H23.5/26/260, the bottom of the mainsheet connects to the "U" bolt on the deck. It's a little easier to reach with a tiller equipped boat but very inconvenient if you are standing behind a wheel. On a deep downwind reach anyone on the lea side forward in the cockpit can get strangled or whacked in the face with the mainsheet when you gybe. They are sitting there enjoying themselves on the high side and all of a sudden they have this rope in their face. Not a good experience for newbees or Admirals. It only happens once before all learn to get out of the way. When I'm alone or have a full cockpit, I detach the mainsheet from the "U" bolt on the cockpit floor and reattach it to the rudder post. This is especially useful in gusty conditions where you don't have someone tending the main. I have to duck under the mainsheet when TACing but all in the cockpit are safe from this not so pleasant experience. More on this technique here: http://h260.com/mainsheet/mainsheet.html
Rick is right if everyone knows the problem. In many small boats such as the H23.5/26/260, the bottom of the mainsheet connects to the "U" bolt on the deck. It's a little easier to reach with a tiller equipped boat but very inconvenient if you are standing behind a wheel. On a deep downwind reach anyone on the lea side forward in the cockpit can get strangled or whacked in the face with the mainsheet when you gybe. They are sitting there enjoying themselves on the high side and all of a sudden they have this rope in their face. Not a good experience for newbees or Admirals. It only happens once before all learn to get out of the way. When I'm alone or have a full cockpit, I detach the mainsheet from the "U" bolt on the cockpit floor and reattach it to the rudder post. This is especially useful in gusty conditions where you don't have someone tending the main. I have to duck under the mainsheet when TACing but all in the cockpit are safe from this not so pleasant experience. More on this technique here: http://h260.com/mainsheet/mainsheet.html
This is ....
...an upgrade that all 23.5's could use. Install a traveler at the front of the cockpit. It would make a world of difference in controlling the sail shape (and boat heel) in puffs. Without a traveler the twist in the main is almost entirely controlled by the vang and few people use it. With a traveler the twist can also be controlled by the main sheet and the puffs could be played with it making the boat far less susceptible to being knocked down in a puff. This would go a long way to making the boat less tender and a much easier ride for those who can't handle sudden heeling changes. It's an upgrade I would highly recommend.
...an upgrade that all 23.5's could use. Install a traveler at the front of the cockpit. It would make a world of difference in controlling the sail shape (and boat heel) in puffs. Without a traveler the twist in the main is almost entirely controlled by the vang and few people use it. With a traveler the twist can also be controlled by the main sheet and the puffs could be played with it making the boat far less susceptible to being knocked down in a puff. This would go a long way to making the boat less tender and a much easier ride for those who can't handle sudden heeling changes. It's an upgrade I would highly recommend.
Location
Alan, do you have any pictures of your traveler installation? It's on my list to make that upgrade, along with installing an opening port on the starboard side facing into the cockpit to provide light/ventilation into the aft berth, and an aft hatch in the cockpit deck to be able to access the storage space aft of the aft berth. Also, apropos of traveler location, I already have the situation going downwind where the mainsheet is crossing the lifeline & is somewhat impeded. Do you have any similar situations -- perhaps on a beam reach in heavy wind -- where that problem occurs? The only way I can think to avoid it would be to get the traveler up high on a bridge/arch, but I don't think that's practical. Thanks, Kevin Fitzpatrick s/v Grasshopper Hunter 23.5 Brownsville, VT
Alan, do you have any pictures of your traveler installation? It's on my list to make that upgrade, along with installing an opening port on the starboard side facing into the cockpit to provide light/ventilation into the aft berth, and an aft hatch in the cockpit deck to be able to access the storage space aft of the aft berth. Also, apropos of traveler location, I already have the situation going downwind where the mainsheet is crossing the lifeline & is somewhat impeded. Do you have any similar situations -- perhaps on a beam reach in heavy wind -- where that problem occurs? The only way I can think to avoid it would be to get the traveler up high on a bridge/arch, but I don't think that's practical. Thanks, Kevin Fitzpatrick s/v Grasshopper Hunter 23.5 Brownsville, VT
Traveler location
I spoke with a fellow in Texas a few years ago. He was selling his 23.5. He had installed a traveler (and jib track and cars!). He put his traveler right up close to the companionway lip. That would mean as far forward as possible, against the cabin wall, by the lip in the doorway. I would have thought it better placed just forward of the existing U bolt, as far aft on the bench as it would go. I'd still like to do this someday... Alan - I'm curious too, where exactly is yours? Rick
I spoke with a fellow in Texas a few years ago. He was selling his 23.5. He had installed a traveler (and jib track and cars!). He put his traveler right up close to the companionway lip. That would mean as far forward as possible, against the cabin wall, by the lip in the doorway. I would have thought it better placed just forward of the existing U bolt, as far aft on the bench as it would go. I'd still like to do this someday... Alan - I'm curious too, where exactly is yours? Rick
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