New Hunter 23.5 Owner With Questions

owner23.5 · Feb 27, 2011

Where does the boom vang attach? The previous owner had never used it and did not know.
I just checked mine "mast & boom " is in my basement.The boom vang hooks onto the bottomside of the boom on the first pad eye heading from the mast to the end of boom. The pin that holds the mast up is where the other end hooks to. I have a long d shackle that I install at the same time I raise the mast as the shackle goes through the pin that locks the mast in upward position.
There are 2 rollers on the back of the boom. What is the best way to attach the topping lift to these?
Behind these pulleys you should see a "pin" that runs through the back of the boom that runs from port to starboard ,mine has a stainless steel quick link attached to this pin, My topping lift comes down from the mast and at the end of the line is I stainless steel carabiner this carabiner hooks onto the steel quick link .
Does anyone have a digital copy of the owners manual/parts catalog?
I have the original can probably get what parts you need scanned and sent via email.but as my wife will tell you I couldnt sit still long enough to scan the entire book ,sorry
How much tension should be on the side stays?
someone may have to correct this but when raising mine wife lays on back and looks straight up mast while I adjust the lines until shes seeing a straight line run up the track, then get everything snug.I know theres a tension meter for this but have never used one. guess this ans will have to come from someone more seasoned then me , pretty much anyone in here I'd say
lastly congrats on the boat I also bought a 23.5 three years ago and knew ZERO about sailing , you'll find this site is actually very helpful.Lots of people willling to share info on here .Good luck on sailing. First tip from experience here you cannot keep sails in line with boat in a strong wind and decide to just turn 180 without doing something..found this out the wrong way wind hit those sails about halfway in the turn and pushed the boat right over rudder pinned me in place for the duration while I watched my wifes eyes bug out as she scrambled to the high side of the boat and held on for dear life. Thats when I learned about letting the boom out when turning !!!!!
again congrats and good luck

Rick Webb · Feb 27, 2011

Welcome

I have saved copies off a web site
http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/Hunter/Hunter19_23_26/index.html

Igloo 25 (I think) I bought a couple of extras at Academy Sporting Goods

There is a bail on the bottom of the boom and a tang on the pin that the mast pivots on. The vang goes between the two

A line from the top of the mast should fall about six inches behind the mast and the mast should be perpendicular port and starboard. The shrouds should deflect two or three inches when pulled

There are three sheaves on the back of the boom one each for the outhaul, topping lift and reefing lines

Yes, I have them on mine it should be the first thing you do or the sun will bake you come July

Bill Jones · Feb 27, 2011

Rick provided you with the great webpage with the owner's manual. Keep in mind it is for the Hunter 19, 23.5, and 26. Make sure you identify the correct page for the 23.5 when looking at schematics etc.

isaksp00 · Feb 27, 2011

Another way to attach topping lift, if you want it adjustable (I did this on my H23):
Rig a line or stainless wire from the mast head (whatever the current topping lift attaches to) down to about 3 ft short of the end of the boom when horizontal. Attach a small swivel block to the end of this. Use a bowline (or buntline hitch if you prefer) to tie a thin (maybe 1/4 " ?) low stretch type braided line to the "pin" (the fixed rod, or whatever is at the very end of a 23.5 boom). This line goes up, through the swivel block, then back down to the boom-end sheave (pulley) assigned to control the topping lift, into the boom and forward. I assume you have exit points at fore end of boom with some kind of jam cleats, as does the 23. The line exits through the cleat that matches whatever sheave you used. Then it is easy to raise or lower boom for correct sail shape, at least, while you are at base of mast.

This assumes you have 3 sets of sheaves in the boom - topping lift, outhaul, (single) reefing line. Hard to tell from posted manual diagrams if there are 2 or 3. If not, I have seen suggestions to attach small cleat near aft end of boom, on side. Thin line goes from pin at boom end to block and down to cleat.

Peter

Alan · Feb 27, 2011

Chris, welcome to sailing, you're going to love it. To start with you will need to learn 'how' to sail. The very best and easiest way is to spend 20 bucks and buy Don Guillette's book Sail Trim which you can find in the Store on this website. It breaks down sailing into four simple to understand parts and how they fit together, best of all he does this in plain simple English. In it you will learn about ALL the sail controls and how they operate. A topping lift is not among them. A topping lift is not a sail control. It simply supports the end of the boom when your main is down if you don't have a solid boom vang. If you had one then the topping lift can be removed completely. If you need to raise the boom to clear the bimini while sailing then the bimini needs to be changed or removed. You will find in short order that you need the ability to be able to pull the boom as far down as possible to flatten the main in many sailing conditions. Failing to have this ability will lead to excess heeling and/or weather helm, neither of which is desirable. You can liken this to driving a car in 2nd and 3rd gears only, gears 1 and 4 are unavailable.

Good luck with sailing, enjoy!

Tom L · Feb 27, 2011

Chris, I have the 23.5 manual scanned and ready to send as a PDF file. Send me an email that I can reply to and I will send you the entire manual. My email address is leap(at)etown(dot)edu. Happy to send it, I guess I should put it up on a website so anyone can get it anytime they want but who knows when I will get around to it. Good luck with the sailboat, I like mine a lot. Tom

Rick Webb · Feb 27, 2011

Part ID #561

http://www.usspars.com/section_frame.asp?Section=Z190

Item:Rigid vang toggle Z160Part No:561Price:$8.50

sesmith · Mar 1, 2011

chris8541 said:
Greetings!

I recently purchased a 1995 Hunter 23.5 and need help with some questions. I am a complete newbie at sailboat ownership. Here is the list-

[*]How much tension should be on the side stays?

Chris

Hi Chris,
Your owner's manual will say something like with the mast centered, adjust the uppers until "tight" ,then adjust the lowers until "snug" and that the lowers should be less tight than the uppers. Below is a pretty good description of mast tuning, and the method I use for mine:

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/masttuning/tuning.htm

Keep in mind, you don't have a backstay, so the rake will be set by the forestay only. You may want to check with Hunter to see what the rake is supposed to be. I seem to remember 6-10" being about right.

Rick Webb · Mar 2, 2011

I Checked Last Night

The cooler is an Igloo Marine 25

http://www.academy.com/index.php?pa...e/coolers&start=0&selectedSKU=0222-01260-6046