I'm in the process of searching for my first sailboat in many years. I have it narrowed down the H23 and the H23.5. Does anyone have an opinion about which boat might the best for a first boat? Is the water ballast system on the 23.5 a maintenance problem? Is it a good system? Thanks. Michael Knight
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Water ballast system well thought out.
Michael, We too, last year, were also first time sailboat buyers and spent 9 months researching the best trailerable, handling and creature comfortable boat in our price range by any manufacture. Water ballast boats were something we thought should be avoided. After looking at fixed keels, winged keels and water ballast we found the best boat for us was a water ballast. The Hunter 26 we bought, and all other Hunter water ballast boats, are proven performers without problems. The few problems that the factory had were taken care of by Hunter Marine with good results as shown in the archives on this site. With a good marine survey to assure you that the boat you want to buy is sound and not abused I am sure you will like the Hunter product. Ray
Michael, We too, last year, were also first time sailboat buyers and spent 9 months researching the best trailerable, handling and creature comfortable boat in our price range by any manufacture. Water ballast boats were something we thought should be avoided. After looking at fixed keels, winged keels and water ballast we found the best boat for us was a water ballast. The Hunter 26 we bought, and all other Hunter water ballast boats, are proven performers without problems. The few problems that the factory had were taken care of by Hunter Marine with good results as shown in the archives on this site. With a good marine survey to assure you that the boat you want to buy is sound and not abused I am sure you will like the Hunter product. Ray
Hunting
This is going to be a good thread,I have an h23 wing keel, have given thought to buying a 240 or 260 , after considerable time on this site, I have decided that I am very happy with my wing keel, there has been much discussion of water ballast boats in terms of tenderness compared to keel versions, not laying at anchor in windy conditions, broken lines to center board, odors from tank 'center boards stuck up and stuck down and so on I am sure these are all good boats and am confident in the hunter product but to me, the benefit of having a slightly smallwe tow vehicle is not worth the trade off, I am keeping my wing keel ;just my two cents worth, good luck in your search , Mike B
This is going to be a good thread,I have an h23 wing keel, have given thought to buying a 240 or 260 , after considerable time on this site, I have decided that I am very happy with my wing keel, there has been much discussion of water ballast boats in terms of tenderness compared to keel versions, not laying at anchor in windy conditions, broken lines to center board, odors from tank 'center boards stuck up and stuck down and so on I am sure these are all good boats and am confident in the hunter product but to me, the benefit of having a slightly smallwe tow vehicle is not worth the trade off, I am keeping my wing keel ;just my two cents worth, good luck in your search , Mike B
Depends what your needs are...
Michael, I bought a 1997 H26 last year. The water ballast works fine. If you want to be able to trailer without having to sling your boat in and out of the water, go wiht WB. If stability is your major concern, go with the keel. I really love our H26 and have learned how to anticipate winds and gusts so thwt I can keep our ride consistant and smooth. I've had three other boats two with shoal keels and one with a fin keel. There is a differance in how the boats handle, but as with every machine, you learn the idiosyncracies and work around them. (Sort of like marriage)
A little bleach in the holding tand and no problem with odor. haven't had a center board problem. If gunk-holeing is something you are looking forward to, the WB is a great way to go! Good luck.
Michael, I bought a 1997 H26 last year. The water ballast works fine. If you want to be able to trailer without having to sling your boat in and out of the water, go wiht WB. If stability is your major concern, go with the keel. I really love our H26 and have learned how to anticipate winds and gusts so thwt I can keep our ride consistant and smooth. I've had three other boats two with shoal keels and one with a fin keel. There is a differance in how the boats handle, but as with every machine, you learn the idiosyncracies and work around them. (Sort of like marriage)
A little bleach in the holding tand and no problem with odor. haven't had a center board problem. If gunk-holeing is something you are looking forward to, the WB is a great way to go! Good luck.23.5
I am the second owner of my 1994 23.5, purchased in 1996. I must say that I love it. I have not had any trouble at all. I just pulled it out of the water for a spring cleaning (keep it salt water year round), the bottom paint is holding up well. The balast tank valve is fine, (was a little concerned with earlier postings), I am also putting on a roller furler. The 23.5 is greeat for two people and if you keep it clean and put bleach in balast tank no smells. Dave R. Simply Majiq Olmypai, WA
I am the second owner of my 1994 23.5, purchased in 1996. I must say that I love it. I have not had any trouble at all. I just pulled it out of the water for a spring cleaning (keep it salt water year round), the bottom paint is holding up well. The balast tank valve is fine, (was a little concerned with earlier postings), I am also putting on a roller furler. The 23.5 is greeat for two people and if you keep it clean and put bleach in balast tank no smells. Dave R. Simply Majiq Olmypai, WA
Depends on where you sail
If you are sailing in deep lakes in your state and they have good steep deep ramps then the 23 would be my boat. I have the 23.5 and launch at marginal ramps at the coast and anchor in shallow "Secret spots" in the sounds and along the intercoastal waterway. Shallow draft is really impotant to me but stability is not an issue at all. As a first boat I would recommend a daysailor between 15 and 19 feet for you first year. A smaller boat is much easier to learn on and easier to launch so you will use it a lot. A small daysailor costs less to maintain and will be easy to sell in a year or two, if and when you decide to move up.
If you are sailing in deep lakes in your state and they have good steep deep ramps then the 23 would be my boat. I have the 23.5 and launch at marginal ramps at the coast and anchor in shallow "Secret spots" in the sounds and along the intercoastal waterway. Shallow draft is really impotant to me but stability is not an issue at all. As a first boat I would recommend a daysailor between 15 and 19 feet for you first year. A smaller boat is much easier to learn on and easier to launch so you will use it a lot. A small daysailor costs less to maintain and will be easy to sell in a year or two, if and when you decide to move up.
It depends on your situation
I own a wing-keeled H23, which I keep in the water. I like it because of the styling (it looks fast sitting still), the performance (matches the styling) the interior (the wood and dark fabric are a welcome relief from the sun) and the fact that I have real side decks and don't have to mess with a centerboard pennant. That being said, the H23 mast is a pain to raise & lower (unless you build a special rig), you have to back the trailer further down the ramp to get the boat on or off, the boat doesn't point real well in light wind because of the shallow keel and it is not as roomy below deck as the H23.5. Here's my two cents...If you plan to trailer a lot and cruise with more than two people for more than a couple of days, the 23.5 might be a better bet for you. Both boats are easy to sail. Open daysailers also make good first boats. Flying Scot, Rhodes 19 and Precision 16 are a few. They are roomy, comfortable, stable, forgiving and easy to sail. They also have shallow drafts and are fairly inexpensive. Of course, if you can pick up a decent Hunter for about the same price...go for it. Good luck. Peter S/V Raven
I own a wing-keeled H23, which I keep in the water. I like it because of the styling (it looks fast sitting still), the performance (matches the styling) the interior (the wood and dark fabric are a welcome relief from the sun) and the fact that I have real side decks and don't have to mess with a centerboard pennant. That being said, the H23 mast is a pain to raise & lower (unless you build a special rig), you have to back the trailer further down the ramp to get the boat on or off, the boat doesn't point real well in light wind because of the shallow keel and it is not as roomy below deck as the H23.5. Here's my two cents...If you plan to trailer a lot and cruise with more than two people for more than a couple of days, the 23.5 might be a better bet for you. Both boats are easy to sail. Open daysailers also make good first boats. Flying Scot, Rhodes 19 and Precision 16 are a few. They are roomy, comfortable, stable, forgiving and easy to sail. They also have shallow drafts and are fairly inexpensive. Of course, if you can pick up a decent Hunter for about the same price...go for it. Good luck. Peter S/V Raven
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