MY HUSBAND AND I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1986 H23 WHICH WE HAVE YET TO REMOVE FROM THE SLIP IN WHICH WE PURCHASED IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS TOLD US THAT WITH INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RAISE AND LOWER THE MAST OURSELVES(IT ALSO HAS A GENOA RIG);AND THAT IT CAN BE LAUNCHED AND RETREIVED FROM THR TRAILER AT BOAT RAMPS. HOWEVER THE MARINA OWNER WHERE THE BOAT IS LOCATED HAS TOLD US THAT STEPPING THE MAST REQUIRES 3TO4 PEOPLE AND IS DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING. ALSO THE LAUNCHING THE BOAT FROM THE TRAILER IS NOT PRACTICIAL AND THE BOAT SHOULD BE LIFTED IN AND OUT. WOULD OWNERS OF THE H23 PLEASE RESPOND. YOUR EXPERIENCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPREICATED. THANK YOU.
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Mark Cooper
Not a 23 but a 240
I have a Hunter 240, which is quite similar. I've raised and lowered the mast all by myself without problems; and launching from boat ramps isn't that difficult either. Takes a bit of practice, especially if you're at one of those boat ramps with hundreds of fishing boats waiting to get in and out.
I have a Hunter 240, which is quite similar. I've raised and lowered the mast all by myself without problems; and launching from boat ramps isn't that difficult either. Takes a bit of practice, especially if you're at one of those boat ramps with hundreds of fishing boats waiting to get in and out.
Hmmm, let's see....
These are probably the two only real drawbacks of an otherwise great boat. A lot has been written in the HOW forum about how to get around these problems, and several good fixes exist, including setups to raise and lower the mast single-handed. In some cases, pictures have been posted in the photo forum. Check the archives. Good luck. Peter S/V Raven
These are probably the two only real drawbacks of an otherwise great boat. A lot has been written in the HOW forum about how to get around these problems, and several good fixes exist, including setups to raise and lower the mast single-handed. In some cases, pictures have been posted in the photo forum. Check the archives. Good luck. Peter S/V Raven
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Greg Stebbins
Bunk and bunk again..
The boat is a trailer-able. The marina guy is just not up on his 23's. Yea, she's got a real 800# keel but it's a stubby and the boat will load just fine. Don't forget to use the tongue extension on the trailer. Mast stepping is a 2 or more person job. 2 can do it every time but more can make it easier. You've got a great boat. Some in the world have gotten so used to the keel-less sissy rig sail boats sold today that when faced with the real thing, They panic. Get ready for some great times! Greg H23 Faster-
The boat is a trailer-able. The marina guy is just not up on his 23's. Yea, she's got a real 800# keel but it's a stubby and the boat will load just fine. Don't forget to use the tongue extension on the trailer. Mast stepping is a 2 or more person job. 2 can do it every time but more can make it easier. You've got a great boat. Some in the world have gotten so used to the keel-less sissy rig sail boats sold today that when faced with the real thing, They panic. Get ready for some great times! Greg H23 Faster-
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Les Murray
Mast Raising
I have a H20 and I can raise it with two people. There are plenty of good posts on thios site of methods to raise the mast. The best advice I have seen so far is to use the main sheet block to get pulling leverage to help lift the mast. Also, using a mast crutch on the stern to help get an angle on the mast to start pulling from (so that you are not trying to pull up the mast when it is parallel to the deck). As far as trailering, the biggest issue I face with my boat is finding a ramp that is steep enough to allow the boat to float off the trailer without having to submerge the back end of the car. Les Murray H20 Limerick
I have a H20 and I can raise it with two people. There are plenty of good posts on thios site of methods to raise the mast. The best advice I have seen so far is to use the main sheet block to get pulling leverage to help lift the mast. Also, using a mast crutch on the stern to help get an angle on the mast to start pulling from (so that you are not trying to pull up the mast when it is parallel to the deck). As far as trailering, the biggest issue I face with my boat is finding a ramp that is steep enough to allow the boat to float off the trailer without having to submerge the back end of the car. Les Murray H20 Limerick
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Joe
Trailering
The guys on this web site are right on, my wife and I took our H23 out last weekend for the first time (mind you that this is our first boat also). We did get a 3rd set of hand for stepping the mast, but the boat was relatively easy to get on and off the trailer. My advise is: 1. enjoy the boat 2. listen to those who know or have been there 3. Keep things simple. If my wife and I can do it, most anyone can. We are going out for a second time this weekend. I feel much more confident as experience is the best teacher. Joe
The guys on this web site are right on, my wife and I took our H23 out last weekend for the first time (mind you that this is our first boat also). We did get a 3rd set of hand for stepping the mast, but the boat was relatively easy to get on and off the trailer. My advise is: 1. enjoy the boat 2. listen to those who know or have been there 3. Keep things simple. If my wife and I can do it, most anyone can. We are going out for a second time this weekend. I feel much more confident as experience is the best teacher. Joe
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MIke B
questions, new owners,
My wife and I have been raising and lowering mast for several years also taking in and out of water, it gets easier every year, I do use a ramp to walk up the mast but did for a few years with out one, as mentioned you do need a ramp steep or deep enough to launch retrieve, without burying wheels, have fun great boat, marina guy is either uninformed or greedy, if you do decide to let him do it , there is a guy where we keep our boat who said he would charge twnety dollars to llift in and out, good luck Mike
My wife and I have been raising and lowering mast for several years also taking in and out of water, it gets easier every year, I do use a ramp to walk up the mast but did for a few years with out one, as mentioned you do need a ramp steep or deep enough to launch retrieve, without burying wheels, have fun great boat, marina guy is either uninformed or greedy, if you do decide to let him do it , there is a guy where we keep our boat who said he would charge twnety dollars to llift in and out, good luck Mike
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Mike Epp
steppin and launchin
The 86 has a heavier mast that might require 3 but if you go easy, winch it up with a snatch block on the bow. Put a small step ladder in the cockpit and 3/4 sheet of plywood over the plexiglass, with care and practice it's not too bad. Re: the trailer. Use the extension or a steep ramp and go slow and careful. Put dish soap on the bunk boards to ease winching the boat tight. Good Luck!
The 86 has a heavier mast that might require 3 but if you go easy, winch it up with a snatch block on the bow. Put a small step ladder in the cockpit and 3/4 sheet of plywood over the plexiglass, with care and practice it's not too bad. Re: the trailer. Use the extension or a steep ramp and go slow and careful. Put dish soap on the bunk boards to ease winching the boat tight. Good Luck!
If you don't have a tongue extension...
You might try this trick if you can't get the boat deep enough to float the boat and your tow vehicle is about to develop a deep and meaningful relationship with the water. 1. Back down the ramp until the trailer wheels are about a foot away from the water. Chock them securely. Unhitch the trailer, drive forward about 10 feet and set the brakes. 2. Grab your 30 ft piece of 2-inch manila or polypropylene rope (Home Depot sells it), tie one end securely to one side of the tow hitch on your vehicle, run down to the trailer receiver, drop the line through the frame, bring it back to the other side of the tow hitch and tie off securely to make a bridle. 3. Get back in the vehicle and drive forward a couple of feet to take up the slack in the bridle and pull the trailer off the chocks. Set the brake and remove the chocks. 4. Back the trailer into the water as you normally would; gravity will keep the bridle tight and the trailer will go straight down the ramp. You can back the trailer in as deep as you need to float the boat free and your tow vehicle will still be high and dry on the ramp. 5. Once the boat is off, pull the trailer up out of the water, chock the wheels, reattach the receiver to the ball and drive away. 6. To retrieve the boat, do everything in reverse order. This also works on weedy or slick ramps, especially if you don't have a 4WD vehicle, because it will keep your vehicle on a surface with good traction. If you are worried about unhitching your trailer on the ramp, rig the bridle before you get on the ramp so you always stay connected to the trailer. Some people use only one line, tied to the trailer and to the hitch. I prefer the bridle because it offers a little more control on the ramp and if the trailer ever gets hung up, I can untie the line at one end and retrieve it without having to go into the water. Resist the temptation to use steel cable. Poly line is great stuff. It is plenty strong (I have used it to free pickup trucks buried to the axles in muck). It also has more "give", and will give you plenty of warning if the trailer ever gets hung up. Cable will snap. Happy trailering and sailing!! Peter S/V Raven
You might try this trick if you can't get the boat deep enough to float the boat and your tow vehicle is about to develop a deep and meaningful relationship with the water. 1. Back down the ramp until the trailer wheels are about a foot away from the water. Chock them securely. Unhitch the trailer, drive forward about 10 feet and set the brakes. 2. Grab your 30 ft piece of 2-inch manila or polypropylene rope (Home Depot sells it), tie one end securely to one side of the tow hitch on your vehicle, run down to the trailer receiver, drop the line through the frame, bring it back to the other side of the tow hitch and tie off securely to make a bridle. 3. Get back in the vehicle and drive forward a couple of feet to take up the slack in the bridle and pull the trailer off the chocks. Set the brake and remove the chocks. 4. Back the trailer into the water as you normally would; gravity will keep the bridle tight and the trailer will go straight down the ramp. You can back the trailer in as deep as you need to float the boat free and your tow vehicle will still be high and dry on the ramp. 5. Once the boat is off, pull the trailer up out of the water, chock the wheels, reattach the receiver to the ball and drive away. 6. To retrieve the boat, do everything in reverse order. This also works on weedy or slick ramps, especially if you don't have a 4WD vehicle, because it will keep your vehicle on a surface with good traction. If you are worried about unhitching your trailer on the ramp, rig the bridle before you get on the ramp so you always stay connected to the trailer. Some people use only one line, tied to the trailer and to the hitch. I prefer the bridle because it offers a little more control on the ramp and if the trailer ever gets hung up, I can untie the line at one end and retrieve it without having to go into the water. Resist the temptation to use steel cable. Poly line is great stuff. It is plenty strong (I have used it to free pickup trucks buried to the axles in muck). It also has more "give", and will give you plenty of warning if the trailer ever gets hung up. Cable will snap. Happy trailering and sailing!! Peter S/V Raven
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Jim Malcolm
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Dan C
Been There
You've come to the right place! There is a ton of information on your boat in the archives and lots of great folks willing to answer your questions. We have the exact same boat. We keep the mast up, but launch and recover each time. The marina owner doesn't know what he's talking about. The mast can be annoying to raise and lower, but far from impossible. Several people on this site have developed good systems for making the task easier. You've got a great boat! Have fun with her! Dan C
You've come to the right place! There is a ton of information on your boat in the archives and lots of great folks willing to answer your questions. We have the exact same boat. We keep the mast up, but launch and recover each time. The marina owner doesn't know what he's talking about. The mast can be annoying to raise and lower, but far from impossible. Several people on this site have developed good systems for making the task easier. You've got a great boat! Have fun with her! Dan C
Response to Jim Re: line size
Yes, that's two-inch poly rope. You can buy it in Home Depot or your local hardware. I keep 30 feet in my truck for all kinds of towing emergencies. Peter
Yes, that's two-inch poly rope. You can buy it in Home Depot or your local hardware. I keep 30 feet in my truck for all kinds of towing emergencies. Peter
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Ron
Renting slips
Sounds like somebody wants you to stay put in the marina. When I owned a H23 I stepped the mast alone and had my wife clip the headstay for me. You should do fine with it. If you are concerned, hire a teacher for the afternoon and then go have fun. I own a H37C now and was told by a marina forman that he wouldn't go too far out in the gulf with a hunter. I've since met people who've taken their's transatlantic. Forget those doomsayers and go sailing... Ron
Sounds like somebody wants you to stay put in the marina. When I owned a H23 I stepped the mast alone and had my wife clip the headstay for me. You should do fine with it. If you are concerned, hire a teacher for the afternoon and then go have fun. I own a H37C now and was told by a marina forman that he wouldn't go too far out in the gulf with a hunter. I've since met people who've taken their's transatlantic. Forget those doomsayers and go sailing... Ron
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Justin
Lanching
Neather of these tasks are that diffucult. I recently bought a 1988 H23 myself (i am 14) my dad and 16 year old sister rasied the mast and lanched the boat from a relitivly shallow launch within an hour and a half. Tip: make sure were the backstay splits is not tangled this will cause lots off problems. Tip: Attact a longer rope to the jub halyard the to were it normaly hooks up so when you need a brake just wrap this line arount the winch and rest
Neather of these tasks are that diffucult. I recently bought a 1988 H23 myself (i am 14) my dad and 16 year old sister rasied the mast and lanched the boat from a relitivly shallow launch within an hour and a half. Tip: make sure were the backstay splits is not tangled this will cause lots off problems. Tip: Attact a longer rope to the jub halyard the to were it normaly hooks up so when you need a brake just wrap this line arount the winch and rest
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