Thinking of buying a 23.5 and have some questions? Is the wing keel at a advantage or disadvantage sailing up wind? Is the boat equipped with a spinnaker and if not, could it be? Anything anyone can tell me about the sailing characteristics would be helpful. How is it to trailor and launch the boat? How long does it usually take to set up the rigging? What is the biggest genoa that the boat can handle? Thankn You
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R
Ray Bowles
Things to think about.
Donna, Since no one else has jumped in yet Maria and I thought we would start. We spent 3 months learning about the pro's and con's of all sailboats in the 21 to 27 foot range that we could trailer, weekend in and afford. We then spent 6 months looking for, and sailing on, all brands and models that fit our needs. The result was a 1995 Hunter 26. Hunters of this size don't use genoa sails as they are B&R fractional rigged with shrouds that would interfere with a genoa. We encourage you to study, learn, look and sail with others so you have a good understanding of EXACTALLY what you want rather than trust the opinion of a salesman or owner selling his boat. Learn the types of riggings and sails. HAVE a SURVEY DONE!! E-mail with people on this site for aditional help. p.s. The H26 tows great, sails great and looks great as we play pirates with the grandkids. Ray & Reba
Donna, Since no one else has jumped in yet Maria and I thought we would start. We spent 3 months learning about the pro's and con's of all sailboats in the 21 to 27 foot range that we could trailer, weekend in and afford. We then spent 6 months looking for, and sailing on, all brands and models that fit our needs. The result was a 1995 Hunter 26. Hunters of this size don't use genoa sails as they are B&R fractional rigged with shrouds that would interfere with a genoa. We encourage you to study, learn, look and sail with others so you have a good understanding of EXACTALLY what you want rather than trust the opinion of a salesman or owner selling his boat. Learn the types of riggings and sails. HAVE a SURVEY DONE!! E-mail with people on this site for aditional help. p.s. The H26 tows great, sails great and looks great as we play pirates with the grandkids. Ray & Reba
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GT Lowden
Me too new
Donna - We purchased a '93 23.5 last summer. Although not new to sailing it is my first experience with a mono hull. I trailer it,(typically 45 min to 1 hour), with a 6 cyl. Jeep. The Jeep is border line, I will probably go for a larger vehicle with an 8 cyl this spring. Set up and/or break down takes about 30 - 40 minutes once we are at the dock. Sailing characteristics are good but with an early tendancy to heel and it is a smart idea to reef early - as many posts will agree. Genoa would create problems but I hope to go to a spinnaker this year. Internally the only complaint would be a claustrophobic main birth. Definitiely take your time as your search for the right fit, try out if you can, and have a survey done. I have the original brochure on the '93 in PDF format. If you would like a copy e-mail me at gtcl@jscomm.com GT Lowden S/V Serenity
Donna - We purchased a '93 23.5 last summer. Although not new to sailing it is my first experience with a mono hull. I trailer it,(typically 45 min to 1 hour), with a 6 cyl. Jeep. The Jeep is border line, I will probably go for a larger vehicle with an 8 cyl this spring. Set up and/or break down takes about 30 - 40 minutes once we are at the dock. Sailing characteristics are good but with an early tendancy to heel and it is a smart idea to reef early - as many posts will agree. Genoa would create problems but I hope to go to a spinnaker this year. Internally the only complaint would be a claustrophobic main birth. Definitiely take your time as your search for the right fit, try out if you can, and have a survey done. I have the original brochure on the '93 in PDF format. If you would like a copy e-mail me at gtcl@jscomm.com GT Lowden S/V Serenity
H23.5 or or
The info you have on the 23.5 may not be quite correct. The H23 had a fixed wing keel, the H23.5 is water ballasted with a swing keel
The info you have on the 23.5 may not be quite correct. The H23 had a fixed wing keel, the H23.5 is water ballasted with a swing keel
"H23.5 or H23...Take 2"
Sorry about that, my finger slipped on the keyboard. If the boat you are considering has a wing keel, it is an H23, not a 23.5. The H23.5 is water ballasted with a swing keel. I don't know much about the 23.5, but I can tell you that the H23 is a great boat. I was told that Hunters were designed for the light winds that are common here in Florida. They have powerful mainsails (hence the popularity of the B&R rig) and relatively small jibs. The 110 working jib is a good all round sail. Many people down here also have a 135 or 150 genoa for really light air. I once met an H23 owner who claimed to have a 190 genoa (I never saw it). Good luck in your search. Peter S/V Raven
Sorry about that, my finger slipped on the keyboard. If the boat you are considering has a wing keel, it is an H23, not a 23.5. The H23.5 is water ballasted with a swing keel. I don't know much about the 23.5, but I can tell you that the H23 is a great boat. I was told that Hunters were designed for the light winds that are common here in Florida. They have powerful mainsails (hence the popularity of the B&R rig) and relatively small jibs. The 110 working jib is a good all round sail. Many people down here also have a 135 or 150 genoa for really light air. I once met an H23 owner who claimed to have a 190 genoa (I never saw it). Good luck in your search. Peter S/V Raven
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Kenneth Pfaff
Just Traded in 92 23.5
I just traded in my 1992 23.5, which I sailed for 5 years. It had a fixed 3'5" winged keel. While the boat came with a trailer, I just kept the boat docked at my marina. From my experience, I do not see how you could keep the boat on the trailer and just launch it when you want to sail. The mast is very,very heavy, and since I had no mast raising system, it would take at least 4 people to raise and lower it. In fact the last time I lowered it I only had my son with me, we both 6 ft plus 200 pounds plus and we couldn't hold it and ended up droping it. Luckly we didn't break anything. Then you have to unstep it and re-arrange it in order to transport it. So setting it up is not a 1-2-3 job. As far as sailing upwind, I never hand any problems. I always noticed that I couldn't point as high as boats around me, but since I am not into racing, it really didn't matter to me. My boat had a roller furling jib, so I used the jib halard to raise the 'spinaker' that also came with the boat, but we didn't use it much as it was always too much work. Hope this helps.
I just traded in my 1992 23.5, which I sailed for 5 years. It had a fixed 3'5" winged keel. While the boat came with a trailer, I just kept the boat docked at my marina. From my experience, I do not see how you could keep the boat on the trailer and just launch it when you want to sail. The mast is very,very heavy, and since I had no mast raising system, it would take at least 4 people to raise and lower it. In fact the last time I lowered it I only had my son with me, we both 6 ft plus 200 pounds plus and we couldn't hold it and ended up droping it. Luckly we didn't break anything. Then you have to unstep it and re-arrange it in order to transport it. So setting it up is not a 1-2-3 job. As far as sailing upwind, I never hand any problems. I always noticed that I couldn't point as high as boats around me, but since I am not into racing, it really didn't matter to me. My boat had a roller furling jib, so I used the jib halard to raise the 'spinaker' that also came with the boat, but we didn't use it much as it was always too much work. Hope this helps.
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Nick
Bought one last year
A bit older, I love the '88 H23 I bought last summer. It is simple and fun. We have not yet trailer'd it but It seems easy (with a big truck). A recovering racer, I have opinions on performance. Frankly, the wing keel is a small performance compromise in terms of speed and ability to point. But it is not drastic. The standard spinnaker is a blast, very manageable, and needed without a genni. I recommed it anytime your on a broad reach on down. Good luck in your decision. We are very happy with our decision and absolutely DYING waiting for the lakes to melt!
A bit older, I love the '88 H23 I bought last summer. It is simple and fun. We have not yet trailer'd it but It seems easy (with a big truck). A recovering racer, I have opinions on performance. Frankly, the wing keel is a small performance compromise in terms of speed and ability to point. But it is not drastic. The standard spinnaker is a blast, very manageable, and needed without a genni. I recommed it anytime your on a broad reach on down. Good luck in your decision. We are very happy with our decision and absolutely DYING waiting for the lakes to melt!
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