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Review of the Hunter 23 by Neil Mietz

Year built 1985  
Location of boat M.B.C. Red Bank NJ  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1986  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, I have learned to sail it by myself. I now put a reef in the main if the wind is going to be over 10-12 knots during the outing. This reduces the weather-helm and heel.  
Gear that's been added Larger outboard to go against the tides.Crusing Spinnaker, and 150 genny for light air.Radio, Compass  
Structural or complex improvements Welded the rudder cheeks, twice. They keep spliting.Better motor mount.Nicro Day/Night vent.  
The boat's best features Enought room for two to go out for a long weekend cruse.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The sliding companionway top cracked and split while stepping the mast.The hatches leak.A better system for stepping the mast.Raise the jib attachment out of the anchor locker.Need more area in keel, to point higher, need about 200 more pounds of ballast.Rudder is lower than keel.Gelcoat has chips and voids.Ports leak. Don't open.  
Sailing characterisitcs Heavy weather held if hit with a gust.Heels very fast to 10/15% before stablizing, Very scary for first time sailors or guests, needs bigger/heaver keel.Motorboat wake makes boat hobbyhorse and stall in light air.  
Motoring characterisitcs Very good, can go hands off tiller for minutes at a time. (Of course outboard must be nudged into position where boat will go straight)  
Liveability Needs just a little more headroom.And opening ports.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Yes, not very good.Rudder cheeks split first year and factory rep (Robert E. Lee, I remember that name) more or less said 'go fly a kite'. I bought a new 1985 boat in Jan of 86, which didn't get into the water until May. The boat was hauled in Oct of 86, at that time I did not notice the cracks. It was only in May of 87 (recommisioning) that the cracks were notice and the dealer told. The dealer contacted the factory and was told the boat was out of warranty, with only 7 months of light (weekend) use.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Dealer was very good. and very helpful getting the boat on the water the first time.  
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