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Review of the Hunter 23 by John Schaub

Year built 1985  
Location of boat Indianapolis, IN  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2003  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, absolutely!  
Gear that's been added Spinnaker and spinnaker gear. New adjustable outboard bracket, the original is junk. New Harken main sheet tackle. Harken cam cleats for the headsail, moved the horn cleats back on the deck by the stern to have real cleats for the dock lines. New halyards lead aft to the cockpit with halyard clutches. Halyard bag mounted on the starboard cabinhouse bulkhead to hold the halyard tails. Compass on the port cabinhouse bulkhead.  
Structural or complex improvements Made the main traveler adjustable without having to remove it or replace it. Now you can depower the main in the big puffs. Shimmed out the top gudgeon to get the rudder more perpendicular to the water. This helps relieve the heavy weather helm the boat has, or should I say had.  
The boat's best features The interior and the cockpit. The interior has plenty of teak in it. It looks like a sailboat should, and the layout is very good for it's size. The cockpit is also very good size, nice big lazerette compartment too. Again more teak in the cockpit as well as on the cabinhouse. I know it's a maintenance issue but I think a sailboat needs some wood on it and in it to look like a proper sailboat.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The winged keel stinks, it makes the boat easy to get on and off the trailer but it dosen't go to windward like it should or could. I know every boat is a compromise between all out racer and all out cruiser but this is the big compromise on this boat. I don't care for the kick up rudder, I've pinned mine down. To much weather helm, see fix above. Like I said above the factory motor mount is weak, as these boats get older it gets even worse. Replace it before your motor ends up in Davy Jones's locker.  
Sailing characterisitcs Basically the boat sails pretty well. The weather helm can be fixed. It dosen't sail to windward real well but it's not all that bad either. Moves right along in light wind as long as your on flat water, and handled the big chop of Lake Erie like a champ.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motors great now that I put a new motor mount and an eletric start 8hp Tohatsu motor on it.  
Liveability It's great for a couple on long weekends or up to a week it would be just fine. Anything longer than that, you better get a bigger boat.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No experience yet.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought it from the original owner.  
Other comments I love the boat and plan on keeping it for many years.  

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