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Review of the Hunter 23 by M Johnson

Year built 1986  
Location of boat Great Salt Lake Utah  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in Salt  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, it is a very good boat overall. Easy to sail. Loads and unloads from trailer easily. Wing Keel is nice for shallow water, but still preforms well in a variety of conditions.  
Gear that's been added Have added the Following. Spinaker, , radio,gps with waypoints, depthsounder, lazy jacks for main, larger anchor than factory (factory is ok for a lunch hook but for overnight when the wind comes up bigger is better), spreader lights, an extra manual bilge pump, propane stove (the factory stove works good as a heater in winter), a propane grill, a boston whaler dingy (just in case), eprib (just in case), life sling (just in case), jack lines, new digital knot meter, new compass, auto helm (tiller tamer works ok but the auto helm is better), screens for the hatches (this is a must because of brine flies).  
Structural or complex improvements Added Strength tabs to forward hatch (what can I say I'm a big guy), replaced the original plexiglass windowns and hatch. I used lexan window (twice as strong and does not craze in the sun as much), added a switch and second battery, replaced seals on main hatch, replaced standing rigging on boat with two guages larger, added a back stay adjuster, all lines for main and fore sail led aft, restore of all no skid areas, added a rub rail, refinish of all topside wood, restrung all electrical cables in mast, rebacked all through deck mountings (winches, cleats, etc the factory set up was way to light).  
The boat's best features Trailerable, roomy cockpit,sails well, not very expensive to own.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Windows, main hatch leakage, cabin top built on the light side (problems with the forward hatch), wiring chafe in the mast and forward running lights, water dammage to the electrical panel (bad positioning in the companion way), backing for stanchions, and life lines needs beefing up, head on the small side. Through deck backing plates for winches, cleats etc were non-existant.  
Sailing characterisitcs Boat has a hull speed of 5.5 approx. It will get up and go evern in light winds. Down wind is great, helm is very responsive. Strong winds require reefing very early. boat has a tendancy to get overpowered easily.  
Motoring characterisitcs Very light weight almost any motor will push the right along. I have had several sizes and had no problems. Transom space is limited making placement and access a little tricky. The rudder does buck a little if you go to fast in reverse.  
Liveability Fair: Fine for day sails. Storage space is good. Boat is faily usable for weekends, or longer if you are not to tall. I have had two adults and two kids on board for three days and the boat was cramped but doable. The head is also not big capacity wise. Showering is in the cockpit with a solar shower. The slide out galley is a big help when space is premium.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
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