New to Me

[Gary T. L.]

Okay I have done it! Made an offer for a 1993 Hunter 23.5 and it was accepted. Yikes!Although I have 6 yrs. sailing/racing experience on a Catamaran, I am clueless about owning and sailing a Mono; but looking forward to the experience.I will be doing the final once over and water trial this weekend and I have already inspected the standing rigging, sails, fiberglass, etcetera to my satisfaction, but that is about the extent of what I know I should check for, (what the heck is a bilge?)I would appreciate any input and advice.

 

[Steve Dion]

Lowest inhabitable part of a monohull.

This is the lowest inhabitable part of a mono hull. Not inhabitable by anything that is really living but mostly dead and stinking. This is the part of the boat where water and other things drain. There is usually some type of a pump that will get rid of liquid type inhabitants. Your icebox and associated leaks in the boat all drain to this point. Keep it clean, keep it dry and you will not need to worry about it.

 

[Ed Knebel]

trailer?

I have a sister ship, and have enjoyed owning it with no problems. Check the trailer, especially bearings and brakes. It cost me $500 to have my brake system replaced last year. It was explained to me that it is standard to have to do that every 5 years or so if used in saltwater. I replaced the axle myself for about $200. Not a deal breaker, but be advised.A mono doesn't have the speed of a cat, but you can carry more beer, and sleep it off below decks. Good Luck!

 

[Ken Shubert]

What Bilge?

We sail the same boat and the bilge is elusive to say the least. It's not where the pump is placed. The water ballast tank is where a normal keel boat would have a nice deep bilge. The bad news is that bilge water distriutes all over depending on the angle of heel. The good news is that we never get water in the bilge except for what we spill. You might want to check the bilge pump 'anti-siphon' loop to be sure it's high enough or add a one-way valve. We did gulp some water when heeling to port in 3' waves. Hope you got a better trailer than the single axle/no brakes trailer that mine came with. It's fine for short trips and is low maintenance but I'd feel better with more trailer on long trips. (and would be legal too)KenS/V Wouff Hong

 

[John Cooley]

Love Mine

Ken is right................the 23.5 doesn't have much of a bilge. I hopr though, that you enjoy your 23.5 as much as I have. You didn't mention what typr of cats you have been sailing, but something you may have to get used to is how "tender" a water ballasted boat is. Don't worry though..................I've put mine through the paces, and she has yet to let me down.Smooth sailin,John Cooleys/v SeaThree