hunter 23 sailboat specs

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• Sailboat Guide

Hunter 23 is a 23 ′ 3 ″ / 7.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Hunter Marine and built by Hunter Marine between 1985 and 1992.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

CB version- Draft BU: 2.0’/.61m Draft BD: 4.9’/1.49m

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• Sailboat Reviews

Hunter 23.5

This family cruiser is innovative and has lots of room. in gusty winds, however, it is quick to stall..

Hunter Marine Corp. is noted for its slick, innovative and low-cost mass production sailers. The Hunter 23.5, new in 1992, fits the bill in all respects.

The 23.5 was designed as a trailerable family cruiser for entry-level sailors. Like most Hunters, the boat offers lots of space in the cockpit and down below, and comes with the famous Cruise Pac, which provides just about anything a customer needs, including sails, motor, trailer, lifelines, anchor, life jackets, flares and a copy of Chapman’s Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling . It’s this type of marketing (plus price: the 1992 price was $13,500) that has helped make Hunter one of the most successful sailboat producers in the U.S.

No one has ever faulted the Alachua, Florida, builder for offering anything but fresh, well-thought out designs. The most striking feature of the 23.5 is its water ballast system, new to Hunter. The system permits an operator to remove 1,000 pounds of ballast from the trailering weight. A retractable centerboard, kick-up rudder and mast that’s fairly easy to step and unstep further enhances trailerability. All told, boat, motor and trailer weigh a combined 2,450 pounds. This model also contains enough foam to provide positive flotation.

While Hunter has enjoyed considerable success with the buying public, it has also suffered from a negative image problem. Earlier PS reviews have criticized Hunter products for a lack of quality control-various systems kinks, lightweight hulls, poor finish work and general absence of blue-water seaworthiness. On the other hand, Hunter owners, while acknowledging a prevailing lack of respect, frequently defend their choice. In the realm of objective data, Coast Guard complaint and recall statistics reveal that Hunter has a better than average record when it comes to hull blistering. (Hunter offers five-year bottom blister warranty protection for the 23.5.) Clearly, the company is doing something right. The model we inspected (hull #8) showed, with very few exceptions, careful attention to detail and finish work in even the least accessible places-more than youd expect on a $13,500 boat. But it is also a boat with some inherent contradictions, in our opinion.

The 23.5 is a highly engineered product with lots of thoughtful features. Hunter, unlike some builders, constructs a mock-up, followed by a prototype that is extensively tested before final design decisions are made. The hull form is modern looking, almost powerboaty in appearance from some angles. Continuing a tendency evident in recent Hunters, the design team has given the 23.5 a relatively full hull, and raised the freeboard to reduce the cabin height, as well as add room below and keep those up top dry in a chop. Because the cabin extends to the rail (no side decks), you must climb over the cabin top to get to the foredeck.

The rig (a B&R design) consists of a 28-foot Z. Spar mast, fractionally rigged with swept-back spreaders that eliminate the need for a backstay (and make un-stepping/stepping, hence trailering, simpler); for the most part, the uppers are aft of the “after” lowers-until deck level-creating a triangular support system. Main and jib halyards are internal and led back to the cockpit. Power comes from a fully battenedmainsail and 110-percent jib (UK Sailmakers-Hong Kong) with a total of 236 square feet. For steering, the traditional wooden tiller has been replaced with a brushed aluminum tube that arches over the walk-through transom (swim ladder comes standard). The aluminum, said chief designer Rob Mazza, weathers better and is easier to arch in order to keep the rudder low and the tiller sufficiently high. Many helmsmen will use the standard Ronstan X-10 tiller extension.

The water ballast/keel system constitutes the key feature of the 23.5. The water ballast-125 gallons, or 1,000 pounds-takes about two minutes to bring on board. The system is activated by flipping up a lid at the base of the companionway, opening a vent and turning a T-valve; the valve in turn drops a circular stainless steel plate aft of the keel, exposing four holes in the hull. (The plate can then be closed flush.) And while you can’t jettison the water downwind, you can swing up the centerboard to reduce draft to 18 inches. The 4-foot centerboard, controlled by the outboard line to the cockpit, moves easily up and down via a cascade block and tackle arrangement.

The apparent thinking of Hunter engineers was to provide a simple, one-step water ballast system that keeps draft shallow while lowering the center of gravity for added stability and righting moment. The ballast-about 16 cubic feet in volume-lies immediately below the waterline. When the water is added, the boat sinks several inches. Nevertheless, while the water adds 1,000 pounds to the overall displacement, its location does not seem to provide sufficient righting moment for windward work in gusty conditions. On racing boats, water ballast is carried above the waterline and outboard under the settees, which of course provides more righting moment. But this water must be pumped into the chambers and drained before tacking-too complicated for Hunter’s purposes.

Construction of the boat is fairly straightforward, with balsa in the hull and plywood in the deck. The plywood core has the potential to encourage water migration should a deck leak occur at some point. The deck/hull joint, with a roll similar to a Hobie 18-a “modified shoebox,” one Hunter engineer described it-is bonded with glass and further fastened by flathead screws through the rubrail. Stanchions, fastened to aluminum backing plates that are glassed in, are sturdy. Though not a heavily-built boat, the 23 looks solid enough; in the absence of a graceful hull form-no sheer here-Hunter provides some added dash with a smoked forward-facing window and a green and purple hull swoosh graphic, which apparently has drawn strong reaction, pro and con (We liked it). Oddly, there is no waterline or boot scribed in the hull. Perhaps Hunter anticipates owners dry-sailing the 23.5, but the absence of a waterline mark will make bottom painting a difficult chore the first time.

Performance

We test sailed the 23.5 off Newport, Rhode Island. In light-air conditions, the shallow-body, lightweight boat (displacement 3,000 pounds with the water ballast) moved up to speed quickly. The boat pointed high and the few light puffs we experienced produced no noticeable helm. We did have some problem finding a definitive groove, especially after tacking. The boat glided through the water easily on a reach and downwind, with the board up, sped along as much as a 23-footer can (Mazza said it will surf under the right conditions). We moved relatively faster, in fact, than a Nonsuch 27 on the same tack.

In stronger 15-20 knot winds, it is a whole different experience. With a single reef in the mainsail, the boat consistently rounds up and stalls. In addition to the boat’s higher vertical center of gravity, this tendency may also be due to the very high-aspect ratio centerboard, which is generally associated with quick stall characteristics.

Complicating matters is the way the rig and sheeting are set up. With no backstay (or topping lift) and no traveler, and with the main sheeted down and far forward near the companionway, the main and sheet are highly stressed. And because the cam cleat for the mainsheet is down near the cockpit sole, it’s difficult to reach-especially in heavy air on a beat, when the helmsman and everyone else is out on the rail. The rounding up and stalling require constant spilling of the main. This may be okay (if tiring) for the experienced sailor, but a bit strenuous and nerve-wracking for the beginner at whom this boat is marketed.

Instead of a single reef, one solution might be to take a second reef in the main in anything approaching 15 knots, but that’s not much of a solution. With 236 square feet of sail-128 in the main, 108 in the foretriangle-for a sail area-displacement ratio of 18.9, the boat should not be overpowered. (The O’Day 23, of about the same displacement, but with 200 more pounds of ballast, carries 246 square feet)

Another solution, although it breaks up the cockpit, might be a barney post where there’s already a slot for the cockpit table, a system that worked well enough in the Alerion-Express. A traveler would be even better, though obviously Hunter wanted to keep the cockpit clear of obstructions as well as avoid the added cost.

Accommodations

You get a lot for your money with this Hunter model. One thing you get a lot of is interior space or, as company literature describes it, “a 25-foot boat in a 23.5 hull.” The main cabin is sizable and has more headroom than we’ve seen on a 23-footer. A pop-top hatch allows those down below to stand up in the center of the cabin. An optional canvas camper top ($300) provides protection from the elements. Poptops are notoriously leaky, and we can’t vouch for this one’s water tightness; however, Hunter has provided drains all around.

The smoked pop-top, plus three ports per side in the main cabin (two small circles, one longer swoosh-style forward) and the forward-facing window provide plenty of light. Hunter has made no attempt to yacht-up the interior: What you get is a basic cream-colored liner, offset on a portion of the topsides by a close-weave grayish fabric someone called “monkey fur.” Despite the plainness, we liked the clean look of the interior.

Aft to port in the main cabin you get a galley station with a one-burner alcohol stove, sink, and fold-out table with storage below. You won’t be whipping up any Cruising World -style feasts in this galley, but it’s nice to be able to heat up some coffee or a cup of soup. Forward of the galley is a small settee/berth, sized right for a child, with storage beneath and a cutout for a portable ice chest. Opposite is a somewhat longer settee/berth of less than six feet, with more storage and a battery compartment below. On the centerline is a slot for a small table that also can be set up in the cockpit.

There are a number of helpful additions: an automatic bilge pump, access plates underneath the cockpit winches. The portable toilet is located to starboard behind a half-bulkhead and privacy curtain, and under the V-berth. Aside from the standard V-berth in the bow, which seems a bit cramped, there’s a double berth (plus stowage) aft of the main cabin, under the cockpit and seats (not for the claustrophobic). It was back here in the bowels of the boat that we spotted the only untrimmed fiberglass.

On deck, there’s an equally roomy cockpit-7′ 9″ long and 6′ 2″ from coaming to coaming. The relatively wide beam makes the addition of a ridge along the centerline for use as a footrest a welcome touch. Foam padding on the seatbacks is another. A lazaret on either side provides on-deck stowage. There’s a #8 Barient winch on either side of the cabin top, each with an attendant cleat. Lines are meant to be kept in the no-name stoppers to starboard. Because of the profusion of lines led back on the starboard side, we’d prefer an extra cleat and winch.

Nonskid is molded in. The foredeck holds an anchor locker, which also contains a padeye for the stepping/unstepping operation. Skipping the details of this procedure-which involves use of a gin pole, the main and jib halyards and a bridle that controls lateral movement-we’d say that Hunter has devised as easy a way to drop a mast as is possible. Once down, the forward end rests in a U-shaped bend in the bow pulpit, the aft end on a roller-topped pole fitted at the transom.

Conclusions

In its attempt to create a simply operated, easily trailered, entry-level boat at a good price, Hunter has come up with some clever compromises. But they are compromises just the same. The 23.5 sails well on all points in light air; it does well off the wind in heavier air. Windward work over 15 knots in this boat is poor in our estimation. We’d strongly recommend that potential customers thoroughly test sail the boat in a variety of wind conditions, experimenting with one or two reefs, to be certain it’s something they’re able-and willing-to handle.

The Hunter 23.5 is clearly striking a chord with some buyers, and assuming many are entry-level sailors, we think it’s great that this boat is attracting newcomers to the sport. The design represents a clever way of managing the trailering problem (i.e., weight and draft). At the same time, we can’t help but wonder if its behavior in gusty winds is worth the convenience of dumping ballast on the launch ramp.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

excellent article.

Darrell – excellent review. Thanks.

Thanks for the review, I just saw one for sale online.

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• Hunter Marine Manuals
• Owner's manual

Hunter Marine Hunter 23 Owner's Manual

• page of 32 Go / 32

Table of Contents

• Owner Information Card
• Pre-Departure Checklist
• Boat after Sailing
• Closing up Your
• For Safe Boating
• While Underway
• Brief Glossary of Sailing Terms
• Electrical System
• Water System
• Tuning the Conventional Fractional Rig (Hunter 23, Hunter 26.5, Hunter 333, Legend 35, Legend 37)
• Roller Furling
• Reefing the Mainsail
• Sail Care and Storage
• Care of Standing Rigging
• Care of Running Rigging
• Stepping the Mast on the Hunter 23
• A. Electrical Systems
• B. Plumbing Systems
• C. Fuel System
• D. General Care
• B. Electrical
• C. Cushions
• VI. Specifications & Technical Information

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• 1 Electrical System
• 2 Sails & Rigging
• 3 Tuning the Conventional Fractional Rig (Hunter 23, Hunter 26.5, Hunter 333, Legend 35, Legend 37)
• 4 Roller Furling
• 5 Stepping the Mast on the Hunter 23
• 6 Care of Standing Rigging
• 7 VI. Specifications & Technical Information
• Download this manual

Related Manuals for Hunter Marine Hunter 23

Summary of Contents for Hunter Marine Hunter 23

• Page 1   Hunter 23 Owner’s Manual       Text, photos, and drawings taken from original manual provided with new Hunter/Legend vessels in the  1980s.    In  addition  to  minor  formatting,  spelling,  and  grammar  changes,  sections  from  the  original  manual pertaining to systems on larger vessels have been removed.   It is the intention of the author to  expand this document to include additional information pertaining specifically to the Hunter 23. ...
• Page 2 HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 2   ...

Page 3: Table Of Contents

• Page 4 D. General Care ..........................30 V. Storage/Winterization ........................ 33 A. Sails ............................33 B. Electrical ..........................33 C. Cushions ........................... 33 D. Hatches ............................ 33 E. Outboard Engine ........................33 VI. Specifications & Technical Information ..................27   HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 4   ...

Page 5: Owner Information Card

• Page 6 A copy of Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling is provided with your Hunter Marine boat as part of the standard equipment. Any questions regarding the meaning of terminology used in this manual may be referenced in your Chapman's.
• Page 7 Hunter Marine warrants to the first-use purchaser for a period of twelve (12) Months from the date of sale any part manufactured by Hunter to be free of defects caused by faulty workmanship or materials under normal use and service.

Page 8: Pre-Departure Checklist

Page 9: float plan, page 10: closing up your, page 11: for safe boating.

• Page 12 Make copies of the example on page 1-5 and use one before each trip. Fill it out and leave it with a reliable person who will notify the Coast Guard or other rescue organization if you fail to return on time. Do not forget to cancel the float plan upon your return. HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 12   ...

Page 13: Brief Glossary Of Sailing Terms

• Page 14 Its purpose is to hold the end of the boom up when the mainsail is lowered. TRIM: To trim sails. To put them in correct relation to the wind by means of sheets. TURNBUCKLE: A device used to maintain correct tension on rigging. HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 14   ...

Page 15: General Handling & Operation

Page 16: anchoring, page 17: sails & rigging, page 18: roller furling, page 19: sail care and storage, page 20: care of standing rigging.

• Page 21 After making sure that the headstay line is fully supporting the mast and is now sec-urely cleated, the crew members change pos-itions; the crew member at the winch takes the place of the crew member at the mast and vice versa. HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 21   ...
• Page 22 Now all you have left to do is tighten and tune the rigging, attach the sails and give your Hunter 23 the "once over" before backing the trailer into the water and setting out to sea. Make sure all your gear is properly stowed, your car is locked and you have the keys, and then you're ready for any adventure waiting you and your crew.
• Page 23 HUNTER 23 MOTOR: The Hunter 23 outboard motor should be operated in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. As a precaution to insure that you do not lose the outboard if the clamp comes loose, always have a safety line attached from the motor to the boat.

Page 24: A. Electrical Systems

Page 25: teak care, page 26: v. storage/winterization, page 27: vi. specifications & technical information.

• Page 28     HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 28   ...
• Page 29 HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 29   ...
• Page 30 HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 30   ...
• Page 31 HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 31   ...
• Page 32 HUNTER/LEGEND Owner’s Manual  Page 32   ...

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Your Ultimate Boating Resource

1993 Hunter 23.5

1993 hunter 23.5 specs.

• Boat Type : Monohull Sailboats
• Hull Material : Fiberglass
• Beam : 8'4"
• Length : 24'
• Net Weight : 2000 lbs
• Looking for the Boat Manual? 1993 Hunter Boats 23.5 Request Boat Manual Now

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