Just wanted to get some 1st hand info from the folks in the know. I'm looking at buying a 1995 Hunter 23.5 or a Catalina 22 with a shoal keel. For starters I plan to keep the boat in the water all season. Second, I have never sailed a water ballest boat before. How does it handle compared to the Cat? or am I comparing apples to oranges?
Might be buying a Hunter 23.5
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sail them both
Both boats have their positives and negatives. The interior room in the Hunter is HUGE compared to the Cat. The Cat handles bigger wind better because of the Keel weight. I'm a Hunter 240 owner and wouldn't trade for a Cat 22. The Cat 25 is probably a closer comparison.
Both boats have their positives and negatives. The interior room in the Hunter is HUGE compared to the Cat. The Cat handles bigger wind better because of the Keel weight. I'm a Hunter 240 owner and wouldn't trade for a Cat 22. The Cat 25 is probably a closer comparison.
Buying a 23.5
I have a 1993 23.5, which I acquired used about 5 years ago. We like the boat a lot, but you will find that reefing the sails is a must above 15-18 knots, if not, it will round up into the wind as the rudder stalls due to excessive heel. When reefed, you can still hit hull speed, we have clocked as much as 7.5 mph on an inland lake by GPS. Reefing is necessary because the 23.5 main driving force is the large mainsail. The 110 jib is easily handled on tacks. The Catalina relies a little more on a 150 jib, many sailors add sections of pvc pipe to act as rollers on the fore shrouds to help the sail across on tacks. A little more work for sure. Since the cabin extends to the gunnels, the cabin is much wider than the Catalina, I have sailed both. The C22 was race equipped for club sailing, my 23.5 is pretty much stock. I am faster on all points of sail. The water ballast does take some getting used to, as it initially does not provide the stiffness of a keel. It will track quite nicely, once it is in the groove. Good techniques for sailing is to feather up into the wind on gusts, as the apparent wind increases when close hauled. Also helps to keep most of the rudder in the water. Like all boats of this type, 0-15 degree heel will produce the best speed. The nice thing about the 23.5 is that you can easily cruise, or push it to be much like dingy (one design) sailing. Needless to say, I liked the 23.5 much more, but the Catalina is a nice boat also. The centerboard and water ballast makes for easy trailoring, loading and unloading. I've never regretted our choice of the Hunter. Hope this helps you. Mike, Yacht "C" _/)
I have a 1993 23.5, which I acquired used about 5 years ago. We like the boat a lot, but you will find that reefing the sails is a must above 15-18 knots, if not, it will round up into the wind as the rudder stalls due to excessive heel. When reefed, you can still hit hull speed, we have clocked as much as 7.5 mph on an inland lake by GPS. Reefing is necessary because the 23.5 main driving force is the large mainsail. The 110 jib is easily handled on tacks. The Catalina relies a little more on a 150 jib, many sailors add sections of pvc pipe to act as rollers on the fore shrouds to help the sail across on tacks. A little more work for sure. Since the cabin extends to the gunnels, the cabin is much wider than the Catalina, I have sailed both. The C22 was race equipped for club sailing, my 23.5 is pretty much stock. I am faster on all points of sail. The water ballast does take some getting used to, as it initially does not provide the stiffness of a keel. It will track quite nicely, once it is in the groove. Good techniques for sailing is to feather up into the wind on gusts, as the apparent wind increases when close hauled. Also helps to keep most of the rudder in the water. Like all boats of this type, 0-15 degree heel will produce the best speed. The nice thing about the 23.5 is that you can easily cruise, or push it to be much like dingy (one design) sailing. Needless to say, I liked the 23.5 much more, but the Catalina is a nice boat also. The centerboard and water ballast makes for easy trailoring, loading and unloading. I've never regretted our choice of the Hunter. Hope this helps you. Mike, Yacht "C" _/)
Different twist
Usually for about the same price (maybe even a little less) you can find a Hunter 25.5 in good condition. Its a much more substantial boat than either the Cat 22 or the H 23.5. But its as easy to sail and a lot faster. Shoal keel version only draws a little over 3 feet. Cat 25 SwK is also a great boat in the same general length, but a lot smaller and a little slower than a 25.5. If I were choosing between the Cat 22 and the h23.5, I'd probably lean toward the Cat. There's at least 4 gazillion of them available (a gazillion is equal to 1,000 brazilian), they are not expensive, there are plenty of parts available, IMO they sail better than the 23.5 (been there, done that), and the fleet has a lot of organized events. I am biased toward the h25.5. I can hardly think of a better allround boat in the "under 27" size range.
Usually for about the same price (maybe even a little less) you can find a Hunter 25.5 in good condition. Its a much more substantial boat than either the Cat 22 or the H 23.5. But its as easy to sail and a lot faster. Shoal keel version only draws a little over 3 feet. Cat 25 SwK is also a great boat in the same general length, but a lot smaller and a little slower than a 25.5. If I were choosing between the Cat 22 and the h23.5, I'd probably lean toward the Cat. There's at least 4 gazillion of them available (a gazillion is equal to 1,000 brazilian), they are not expensive, there are plenty of parts available, IMO they sail better than the 23.5 (been there, done that), and the fleet has a lot of organized events. I am biased toward the h25.5. I can hardly think of a better allround boat in the "under 27" size range.
Considerations
Like any boat the 23.5 has good and bad aspects. It is tender at first but settles down around 15 deg. With the keel down it draws more than a Cat (5'6" vs 3'6"). The Cat is heavier on a trailer by about 500lbs. The 23.5 water balast helps a lot there. Ballast on the 23.5 is 100lbs vs 550 to 700 on the Cat. The 23.5 can be launched at a shallow ramp (keel up it draws less than 2'), you may have a problem with the Cat there. That would mean extra cost and scheduling launch/retrieve with a marina. I keep my 23.5 in the water all season but will trailer it occasionally in the future. I don't think I'd want to spend an extended period ( more than a week)on either of the 2 boats. I can get in close to the beach, you'd be a bit farther out on the Cat. Bottom line is that it depends on what you want to do once you have the boat. The best time to figure out your purpose is before you buy the boat. Fair winds
Like any boat the 23.5 has good and bad aspects. It is tender at first but settles down around 15 deg. With the keel down it draws more than a Cat (5'6" vs 3'6"). The Cat is heavier on a trailer by about 500lbs. The 23.5 water balast helps a lot there. Ballast on the 23.5 is 100lbs vs 550 to 700 on the Cat. The 23.5 can be launched at a shallow ramp (keel up it draws less than 2'), you may have a problem with the Cat there. That would mean extra cost and scheduling launch/retrieve with a marina. I keep my 23.5 in the water all season but will trailer it occasionally in the future. I don't think I'd want to spend an extended period ( more than a week)on either of the 2 boats. I can get in close to the beach, you'd be a bit farther out on the Cat. Bottom line is that it depends on what you want to do once you have the boat. The best time to figure out your purpose is before you buy the boat. Fair winds
Ed - h23.5 ballast
...is 1000 lbs, not 100! I assume it was just a typo on your part. ...RickM...
...is 1000 lbs, not 100! I assume it was just a typo on your part. ...RickM...
Feejer
I'm a 240 owner - basically the same thing as the 23.5. My two cents relates to winter - I see "PA" in your tagline - the water ballast in a 23.5 will freeze, burst the tanks and ruin your boat. If you can devise a way to get the water out, and leave the boat in, fine. You could also experiment with non-toxic anti-freeze. Otherwise, you have to pull the boat for the winter. Good luck with whatever you do.
I'm a 240 owner - basically the same thing as the 23.5. My two cents relates to winter - I see "PA" in your tagline - the water ballast in a 23.5 will freeze, burst the tanks and ruin your boat. If you can devise a way to get the water out, and leave the boat in, fine. You could also experiment with non-toxic anti-freeze. Otherwise, you have to pull the boat for the winter. Good luck with whatever you do.
Caught Me
Yeah Rick, I fat fingered the ballast number. It should be 1000lbs like you said. Drew/Feejer, If PA is anything like the marinas here where the season runs from April 1 to Oct 31, freezing should not be an issue since we're forced out at the end of the season. The weather is usally crud before April and the lake gets real dicey after mid Oct anyway. If the tank does freeze the boat would be toast as you point out. Pull the boat and empty the tank. There's not much difference between emptying the tank and winterizing an engine in a larger boat. If you neglect a boat it will turn on you. I figure if I want to sail in the winter I'll hit the BVI or get an ice boat. Good weather is almost here. Fair winds to all.
Yeah Rick, I fat fingered the ballast number. It should be 1000lbs like you said. Drew/Feejer, If PA is anything like the marinas here where the season runs from April 1 to Oct 31, freezing should not be an issue since we're forced out at the end of the season. The weather is usally crud before April and the lake gets real dicey after mid Oct anyway. If the tank does freeze the boat would be toast as you point out. Pull the boat and empty the tank. There's not much difference between emptying the tank and winterizing an engine in a larger boat. If you neglect a boat it will turn on you. I figure if I want to sail in the winter I'll hit the BVI or get an ice boat. Good weather is almost here. Fair winds to all.
Thanks for the info
I really like the lines of the 23.5 but, I'm leaning towards the Cat 22 or maybe a 25. We almost got the new Hunter 25 but the deal feel thru went the dealer and or hunter could not give us a delivery date on the boat.
I really like the lines of the 23.5 but, I'm leaning towards the Cat 22 or maybe a 25. We almost got the new Hunter 25 but the deal feel thru went the dealer and or hunter could not give us a delivery date on the boat.
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