Well... Finally.. all my life I've loved sailboats. I'm in my err.. late 50s now and it's time to do something about it! I live in Bristol Borough PA. Which is right on the Delaware river. I'm joining the Anchor Yacht Club here and one of the members has this H23. I've been going crazy looking at boats.. ebay, boat trader,saltydog.. and don't you know! Here's one just few blocksfrom my house! She's a 23ft 1985 model. with trailer. (I want brakes on it too!) I'll post more to this thread as the adventure unfolds! My dream is to sail the waters of Maine, Penobscot Bay in particular. Question: do some of you really take this boat on the ocean? SCARY thought to me at this point. But not of worry, I've the whole intercoastal here in the east. Delaware river, the bay, the canal to the chesepeake. So Glad i found this forum! Denise Bristol pa
New old H23 owner to be
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Welcome, Denise
Two years ago when we bought our h23 my goal was to take it to Texas and sail it in the gulf. But we've enjoyed the lakes so much that's been put on the back-burner. My wife and I are in our err ... mid-50s and the h23 is plenty comfortable for us. We sleep on it about once a month, usually on a full-moon weekend (next weekend) because we enjoy moonlight sailing. Hope you check into the archives here and see the problems many have with launching and retrieving the h23, and stepping the mast. I don't like any of it, but I love the boat. We look forward to hearing more from you. Mac
Two years ago when we bought our h23 my goal was to take it to Texas and sail it in the gulf. But we've enjoyed the lakes so much that's been put on the back-burner. My wife and I are in our err ... mid-50s and the h23 is plenty comfortable for us. We sleep on it about once a month, usually on a full-moon weekend (next weekend) because we enjoy moonlight sailing. Hope you check into the archives here and see the problems many have with launching and retrieving the h23, and stepping the mast. I don't like any of it, but I love the boat. We look forward to hearing more from you. Mac
Sailing the Delaware
Denise, I'm sure that you will enjoy the 23. I used to keep my 240 at Jack's marina and then the Neshaminy SP marina. Sailing on the river on the weeknds can be a pretty big challenge with the power boat traffic. I've since bought a bigger boat and moved to the Chesapeake. Enjoy, Bill
Denise, I'm sure that you will enjoy the 23. I used to keep my 240 at Jack's marina and then the Neshaminy SP marina. Sailing on the river on the weeknds can be a pretty big challenge with the power boat traffic. I've since bought a bigger boat and moved to the Chesapeake. Enjoy, Bill
thank you!
for warm welcome! I'm aware of the probs with the mast, swing keel. the rudder hitting the prop. Trailering is not high on the list just yet. eventually I'll have a mooring on the water. I've been looking at allot of boats. I'm pretty confident with this one. No blisters, keel bolts tight, no decernable damage on the hull. Inside cabin dry no mildew, sails & motor stored indoors also. teak needs oiling and the deck needs mildew removed and waxed. The hull I'll be painting my fav color Yellow. Bottom coat too even though I'm not going in salt water for sometime yet. River sailing is not my idea of fun with the maniacs I see out there. Hopefully the river will be my path to bigger waters eventually! On the other hand, I can find time to sail during the week since I'm self employed. Oh my .. I went to sail boat show in Annapolis! hot, muggy, rain, all day.. still thousands of people. No, I didn't buy a 2.5 Mil sailing yacht! I do know quite a bit about boats but never really owned a larger one, I've kept my talents in building and restoring wooden canoes. I even wanted to build a 27ft new haven sharpie! But I was renting an apartment back then.. it wouldn't have fit in the living room!. thanks all! Denise
for warm welcome! I'm aware of the probs with the mast, swing keel. the rudder hitting the prop. Trailering is not high on the list just yet. eventually I'll have a mooring on the water. I've been looking at allot of boats. I'm pretty confident with this one. No blisters, keel bolts tight, no decernable damage on the hull. Inside cabin dry no mildew, sails & motor stored indoors also. teak needs oiling and the deck needs mildew removed and waxed. The hull I'll be painting my fav color Yellow. Bottom coat too even though I'm not going in salt water for sometime yet. River sailing is not my idea of fun with the maniacs I see out there. Hopefully the river will be my path to bigger waters eventually! On the other hand, I can find time to sail during the week since I'm self employed. Oh my .. I went to sail boat show in Annapolis! hot, muggy, rain, all day.. still thousands of people. No, I didn't buy a 2.5 Mil sailing yacht! I do know quite a bit about boats but never really owned a larger one, I've kept my talents in building and restoring wooden canoes. I even wanted to build a 27ft new haven sharpie! But I was renting an apartment back then.. it wouldn't have fit in the living room!. thanks all! Denise
Come South!
Denise, for a better sailing venue than the Delaware, come on down south to the "Top of the Bay" and look around at the North East, Elk, and Bohemia Rivers. We have a number of 22's, an H240, and several 25's at NERYC. There are lots of similar sized boats all around the area. Some of our members live further north than you do! You can day sail to your heart's content with plenty of space for long tacks. Or, you can do day sails down the bay, with many stops only 4 or 5 hours apart. S/V Intrepid '83 H34 #113
Denise, for a better sailing venue than the Delaware, come on down south to the "Top of the Bay" and look around at the North East, Elk, and Bohemia Rivers. We have a number of 22's, an H240, and several 25's at NERYC. There are lots of similar sized boats all around the area. Some of our members live further north than you do! You can day sail to your heart's content with plenty of space for long tacks. Or, you can do day sails down the bay, with many stops only 4 or 5 hours apart. S/V Intrepid '83 H34 #113
south.. in the spring.. maybe.
Don't have a hitch on the van yet!.. trailer needs some attention. but.. My hopes were to eventually sail/motor down and take the canal over to the bay. But the guys here at the club say it's too long and too boring. 14hrs to the chesapeake and 9 to the Delaware Bay? Sounds fun to me! but i'm going to be new at all this for a long time! but my thinking is the boat is like a camper. just pull up.. err.. anchor somewhere and spend the nite. Or. $ at a marina on the way. Recomendations? thanks all! Denise
Don't have a hitch on the van yet!.. trailer needs some attention. but.. My hopes were to eventually sail/motor down and take the canal over to the bay. But the guys here at the club say it's too long and too boring. 14hrs to the chesapeake and 9 to the Delaware Bay? Sounds fun to me! but i'm going to be new at all this for a long time! but my thinking is the boat is like a camper. just pull up.. err.. anchor somewhere and spend the nite. Or. $ at a marina on the way. Recomendations? thanks all! Denise
Travel on the Bays
Denise, get a copy of Chesapeake Bay Magazine and a copy of the NorEaster for marina references. I can't speak about the Delaware Bay except that you want to get off it ASAP. You can't sail through the C&D Canal so be prepared to motor. Summit Point is a good leap off spot going West. Chesapeake Inn is halfway through the C&D. Once out of the C&D, the Bohemia has marinas and anchorage spots. On the Eastern Shore, the Sassafras, Still Pond, and Worton Creek are great spots to drop the hook. Still Pond lacks marinas, but the other two have good ones. Rock Hall gives you a spot to head to Baltimore, Annapolis, or through Kent Narrows to St. Mikes, all great destinations. Over the winter make a couple of road trips to check things out. S/V Intrepid '83 H34 #113 @ NERYC
Denise, get a copy of Chesapeake Bay Magazine and a copy of the NorEaster for marina references. I can't speak about the Delaware Bay except that you want to get off it ASAP. You can't sail through the C&D Canal so be prepared to motor. Summit Point is a good leap off spot going West. Chesapeake Inn is halfway through the C&D. Once out of the C&D, the Bohemia has marinas and anchorage spots. On the Eastern Shore, the Sassafras, Still Pond, and Worton Creek are great spots to drop the hook. Still Pond lacks marinas, but the other two have good ones. Rock Hall gives you a spot to head to Baltimore, Annapolis, or through Kent Narrows to St. Mikes, all great destinations. Over the winter make a couple of road trips to check things out. S/V Intrepid '83 H34 #113 @ NERYC
Delaware Bay?
Dan, whats wrong with Delaware Bay? winds? current? oh..there's the Cape May canal too. Denise
Dan, whats wrong with Delaware Bay? winds? current? oh..there's the Cape May canal too. Denise
Good luck with your new boat!
Denise, I'm just getting into sailing, too, but I haven't made it to my 50th yet. I'm 49 today! Anyway, I just bought a 1987 H23 after mulling it over for a couple of weeks. Went out on her twice before deciding to buy and, of course, inspected her inside and out, top to bottom out of the water. I read a lot, here and elsewhere, in order to get a good sense of what I should be looking for. I didn't get it surveyed, as it's not that complicated in it's construction. Generally, if a boat has suffered from neglect, it'll show in other areas besides blistering or soft spots. Then again, that's my opinion. I'm pretty much a jack of all trades, master of none, and I expect to get this boat in like new shape this winter. Good luck with yours!
Denise, I'm just getting into sailing, too, but I haven't made it to my 50th yet. I'm 49 today! Anyway, I just bought a 1987 H23 after mulling it over for a couple of weeks. Went out on her twice before deciding to buy and, of course, inspected her inside and out, top to bottom out of the water. I read a lot, here and elsewhere, in order to get a good sense of what I should be looking for. I didn't get it surveyed, as it's not that complicated in it's construction. Generally, if a boat has suffered from neglect, it'll show in other areas besides blistering or soft spots. Then again, that's my opinion. I'm pretty much a jack of all trades, master of none, and I expect to get this boat in like new shape this winter. Good luck with yours!
congrats on your boat NeoSailor
sounds like twins! ... now.. if only i can learn how to step the mast.. everyone's saying get help. I'll figure out something that works.. I am an engineer of sorts LOL
sounds like twins! ... now.. if only i can learn how to step the mast.. everyone's saying get help. I'll figure out something that works.. I am an engineer of sorts LOL
Del Bay.. roller furling.
thanks Dan! I looked at the chart.. see what you mean. Roller furling... geeze pricey stuff! How do I find a used one? With all the wrecked boats in the gulf coast there must be thousands of parts coming on the 2nd hand market. thank you everyone for all the great input on all my questions Denise
thanks Dan! I looked at the chart.. see what you mean. Roller furling... geeze pricey stuff! How do I find a used one? With all the wrecked boats in the gulf coast there must be thousands of parts coming on the 2nd hand market. thank you everyone for all the great input on all my questions Denise
also a new H23 owner
denise, have a 88 hunter 23 arriving in my yard tuesday...i'm a fairly raw rookie sailor playing with a 23' grampian for a couple years..i need to learn the tricks of stepping the mast as well...i hear it ain't easy...but the boat loks great and should sail a bit better than the old gramp
denise, have a 88 hunter 23 arriving in my yard tuesday...i'm a fairly raw rookie sailor playing with a 23' grampian for a couple years..i need to learn the tricks of stepping the mast as well...i hear it ain't easy...but the boat loks great and should sail a bit better than the old gramp
Mast raising system
Check the photo forum for Peter Suah's mast raising system: Singlehanded mast raising rig for H23. It is easy to make and works very, very well. It is stable. I can step the mast single handed in fifteen minutes. I can be in or out of the water in an hour or less depending on whether or not I have anyone to help out. Use your main sheet tackle to hoist/lower the mast off of/onto the mast crutch. Be sure and tie off your jib halyard securely!
Check the photo forum for Peter Suah's mast raising system: Singlehanded mast raising rig for H23. It is easy to make and works very, very well. It is stable. I can step the mast single handed in fifteen minutes. I can be in or out of the water in an hour or less depending on whether or not I have anyone to help out. Use your main sheet tackle to hoist/lower the mast off of/onto the mast crutch. Be sure and tie off your jib halyard securely!
more as adventure unfolds. *yks
Today.. from about 12-3 pm in fairly high winds 10-25 mph I went out for a sail! Was ok! Really enjoyed the first real sailing on my own experiance.. running, tacking, coming about. Then when it was time to come back to the docks... Oh geeze, oh geeze! I don't know how to do this!! *cry (Get back to dock) It's darn scary trying to drop the sails alone in that kind of wind! Well, finally with the motor on and rudder secured and heading into the wind I got the nerve to go forward and drop the jib. It was wraped around the forestay! but did drop down thankfully. I then stuffed the jib into the... anchor trunk. Got the main down.. forgot the halyard that keeps the boom from dropping in the cockpit.. Oh well! Putt putted to the dock and put things back in order. In the Club house a few people said i was looking good out there.. Guess they didn't see how bad I messed up! So.. does all this bring back memories to some of you sailing veterns? lessons learned today 1- Get the main set up with the winch on the cabin. 2 - Roller furler! CDI when I can afford it. 3 - Read more how to sail books? 4 - Sail again this week (with more gentle winds) 5 learn to reef while underway. 6 Don't post all my blunders as I'm learning to sail on my own? please.. be kind
Denise
Today.. from about 12-3 pm in fairly high winds 10-25 mph I went out for a sail! Was ok! Really enjoyed the first real sailing on my own experiance.. running, tacking, coming about. Then when it was time to come back to the docks... Oh geeze, oh geeze! I don't know how to do this!! *cry (Get back to dock) It's darn scary trying to drop the sails alone in that kind of wind! Well, finally with the motor on and rudder secured and heading into the wind I got the nerve to go forward and drop the jib. It was wraped around the forestay! but did drop down thankfully. I then stuffed the jib into the... anchor trunk. Got the main down.. forgot the halyard that keeps the boom from dropping in the cockpit.. Oh well! Putt putted to the dock and put things back in order. In the Club house a few people said i was looking good out there.. Guess they didn't see how bad I messed up! So.. does all this bring back memories to some of you sailing veterns? lessons learned today 1- Get the main set up with the winch on the cabin. 2 - Roller furler! CDI when I can afford it. 3 - Read more how to sail books? 4 - Sail again this week (with more gentle winds) 5 learn to reef while underway. 6 Don't post all my blunders as I'm learning to sail on my own? please.. be kind
DeniseHang in there!
It sounds like you made out just fine but your choice of emotion icons seems to indicate you scared yourself a bit today. I've been there too. The first day I took my new to me H23 out was an experience much like yours. Hang in there, it gets easier with experience and a little guidance from other sailors. A couple of things for you to consider for your next solo outing: 1. Reef early, real early, the H23 is a little tender in winds over 20. Ok, she is a lot tender. I reef mine before I ever leave the buoy when winds are over 15 and I hank on a pretty small head sail when they are over 20 as I don't have a furling head sail. If the winds come up after I'm on the water I "heave to" to reef the main. The heave to maneuver is kind of like putting her in park. You tack across the wind slowly so that you don’t have too much inertia but don’t release your jib sheet. Release the main sheet and the traveler so the boom will slide to leeward and the main will luff. The jib will backfill and she will try and come across but you swing your tiller as far as she will go to the new leeward side of the boat and the head sail and tiller will pretty much cancel each other out. Lock your tiller over there and you can reef your main without a lot of stress. I’ve been assuming you have the same reefing lines and topping lift that my ’85 H23 has. After you have the main reefed you can release the jib sheet and let the jib come across to leeward. You trim the jib and then the main and you are in business again. On really windy or gusty days you might try sailing on jib alone, or reefed main alone. If you have a hank on jib, like I do, you might want to pick up a smaller jib that you can use like a storm sail on eBay or someplace. I found a small one for $30 on eBay that I rigged with a tack pennant to get her up the forestay three feet or so and it works great on windy days. I wanted a furling unit too but with three different size head sails I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t think I’ll bother with it. I have a 100 (working), a 135 (genoa) and I suppose the little one is about 50% of the working jib. 2. When I go up on the fore deck to bring down the jib I take a bungee cord along. After I drag the jib down I put a couple of wraps around it with the bungee to keep it from sailing back up the forestay or going into the water. I pull one of the jib sheets tight to keep the jib on the deck until I have everything in hand. Stuffing it in the anchor locker was a pretty good idea too but mine is full of rode and chain and it’s messy in there! 3. If you get the “heave to” system down, and I’m sure you will, you might consider using the heave to maneuver to give you a calmer opportunity to bring your main sail down. Once you have the main down and tied to the boom you can release the jib halyard, ease the cleated jib sheet a little and drag her down from the windward side of the jib. Don’t try it from the leeward side or the jib will smack the crap out of you and you can get tossed over the side! 4. Feel free to post all of your blunders! Your plan to read some more sailing books is also a great idea. You might also be able to find a sailor or two stranded on the hard at your marina that would love to go out and show you how to handle your sails. I dragged more than one out to get some tips on how to handle mine after I bought it. It’s easy to find a crew if you have a couple of beers in the cooler.
It sounds like you made out just fine but your choice of emotion icons seems to indicate you scared yourself a bit today. I've been there too. The first day I took my new to me H23 out was an experience much like yours. Hang in there, it gets easier with experience and a little guidance from other sailors. A couple of things for you to consider for your next solo outing: 1. Reef early, real early, the H23 is a little tender in winds over 20. Ok, she is a lot tender. I reef mine before I ever leave the buoy when winds are over 15 and I hank on a pretty small head sail when they are over 20 as I don't have a furling head sail. If the winds come up after I'm on the water I "heave to" to reef the main. The heave to maneuver is kind of like putting her in park. You tack across the wind slowly so that you don’t have too much inertia but don’t release your jib sheet. Release the main sheet and the traveler so the boom will slide to leeward and the main will luff. The jib will backfill and she will try and come across but you swing your tiller as far as she will go to the new leeward side of the boat and the head sail and tiller will pretty much cancel each other out. Lock your tiller over there and you can reef your main without a lot of stress. I’ve been assuming you have the same reefing lines and topping lift that my ’85 H23 has. After you have the main reefed you can release the jib sheet and let the jib come across to leeward. You trim the jib and then the main and you are in business again. On really windy or gusty days you might try sailing on jib alone, or reefed main alone. If you have a hank on jib, like I do, you might want to pick up a smaller jib that you can use like a storm sail on eBay or someplace. I found a small one for $30 on eBay that I rigged with a tack pennant to get her up the forestay three feet or so and it works great on windy days. I wanted a furling unit too but with three different size head sails I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t think I’ll bother with it. I have a 100 (working), a 135 (genoa) and I suppose the little one is about 50% of the working jib. 2. When I go up on the fore deck to bring down the jib I take a bungee cord along. After I drag the jib down I put a couple of wraps around it with the bungee to keep it from sailing back up the forestay or going into the water. I pull one of the jib sheets tight to keep the jib on the deck until I have everything in hand. Stuffing it in the anchor locker was a pretty good idea too but mine is full of rode and chain and it’s messy in there! 3. If you get the “heave to” system down, and I’m sure you will, you might consider using the heave to maneuver to give you a calmer opportunity to bring your main sail down. Once you have the main down and tied to the boom you can release the jib halyard, ease the cleated jib sheet a little and drag her down from the windward side of the jib. Don’t try it from the leeward side or the jib will smack the crap out of you and you can get tossed over the side! 4. Feel free to post all of your blunders! Your plan to read some more sailing books is also a great idea. You might also be able to find a sailor or two stranded on the hard at your marina that would love to go out and show you how to handle your sails. I dragged more than one out to get some tips on how to handle mine after I bought it. It’s easy to find a crew if you have a couple of beers in the cooler.
Downhaul on jib
Tie a line to the head of your jib. Route it down to a block on the bow then back towards the cockpit. Release the jib halyard and pull in the downhaul. With this setup, you shouldn't have to stuff the jib in the anchor locker to keep it on the deck. This might tide you over until the CDI gets installed, or even give you second thoughts about needing one. I decided to run the topping lift line through the boom, replacing the second reef line in the Kenyon setup. Makes releasing and reengaging it far easier. I basically never use the second reef, and if I get caught in a situation where I need the deeper reef, I can still set it without the help of the "jiffy" system. Best lessons come from our mistakes and questions we ask to set them right. Congratulations on single handing in what sounds like fairly stiff conditions!
Tie a line to the head of your jib. Route it down to a block on the bow then back towards the cockpit. Release the jib halyard and pull in the downhaul. With this setup, you shouldn't have to stuff the jib in the anchor locker to keep it on the deck. This might tide you over until the CDI gets installed, or even give you second thoughts about needing one. I decided to run the topping lift line through the boom, replacing the second reef line in the Kenyon setup. Makes releasing and reengaging it far easier. I basically never use the second reef, and if I get caught in a situation where I need the deeper reef, I can still set it without the help of the "jiffy" system. Best lessons come from our mistakes and questions we ask to set them right. Congratulations on single handing in what sounds like fairly stiff conditions!
thanks, oh! by the way
Thank you all for such good and positive input. Tender? now that's an understatment! Oh.. she heels and feels like she wants to go over in wind over 20! At least I know enough to let here come into her own by releasing the boom. Something worth mentioning too. ON the Delaware River here, the tides run about 5-7 knots. So, no matter what you do.. your moving! And those banks get real close real fast! I'm already thinking chesepeake!! Mike, can I assume the jib up and down halyards can be routed via blocks to the cockpit also? With winter coming I'm likely to just wait for the CDI I plan to get by spring. thanks again All! Denise
Thank you all for such good and positive input. Tender? now that's an understatment! Oh.. she heels and feels like she wants to go over in wind over 20! At least I know enough to let here come into her own by releasing the boom. Something worth mentioning too. ON the Delaware River here, the tides run about 5-7 knots. So, no matter what you do.. your moving! And those banks get real close real fast! I'm already thinking chesepeake!! Mike, can I assume the jib up and down halyards can be routed via blocks to the cockpit also? With winter coming I'm likely to just wait for the CDI I plan to get by spring. thanks again All! Denise
hey Denise
I have enjoyed reading your posts, and am envious that you got to sail this weekend. I am in Pa also, west side, and our weekend was awfull!! I have only 6 more days till I have to pull the boat. How long do you have? Also, do you have a place were you can work on your boat during the off season? If you sailed your 23 in 20 mph winds, you did a good job!! It's posts like this that keep me tuning in. It's a great boat, keep us posted!
I have enjoyed reading your posts, and am envious that you got to sail this weekend. I am in Pa also, west side, and our weekend was awfull!! I have only 6 more days till I have to pull the boat. How long do you have? Also, do you have a place were you can work on your boat during the off season? If you sailed your 23 in 20 mph winds, you did a good job!! It's posts like this that keep me tuning in. It's a great boat, keep us posted!
hey George
I think it has to be out Nov 1st. I'm in the Anchor Yacht Club here in Bristol PA. (your welcome to visit sometime) Yes, the trailer is waiting for the pull out. I do think I'll be taking her to the chesepeak in the spring if I get the trailer working right. This boat looks scary sitting on it's bunks. But the guys helped me launch 2 weeks ago and it went well. have a great week! Denise
I think it has to be out Nov 1st. I'm in the Anchor Yacht Club here in Bristol PA. (your welcome to visit sometime) Yes, the trailer is waiting for the pull out. I do think I'll be taking her to the chesepeak in the spring if I get the trailer working right. This boat looks scary sitting on it's bunks. But the guys helped me launch 2 weeks ago and it went well. have a great week! Denise
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