Hunter Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
Contact us
Hunter OEM Parts
General Marine Parts
 
 

Review of the Hunter 23.5 by Ghery Pettit

Year built 1994  
Location of boat Olympia, Washington  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard?  
Owner bought the boat in 1994  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. The boat is great, but like other reviewers, I do not like the trailer. It is undersized for the weight of the boat and it is hard to get the boat back on it (fully forward) on anything but a very flat ramp.  
Gear that's been added 145 genoa, wisker pole, jib sheet tracks for genoa, propane bar-b-que.  
Structural or complex improvements None  
The boat's best features This boat sails well. It is a bit on the tender side and my crew (wife) isn't comfortable beyond 15 degrees heel. We don't race (formally) but this boat has yet to be outrun by anything near it in size. We've blown by lead haulers of similar size like they were parked. The boarding ladder is difficult to use when climbing out of the water, but when boarding from our kayak it works great (paddle out from shore to its mooring in the summer). The Nissan 5 HP that came with it runs well, but a bit rough (vibration at cruising speed). Seems to be adequate to move the boat at hull speed in most conditions (heading into 35 knot winds last October was a different story).  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The trailer is weak. I have rusting bolts that I will replace this summer while the boat is in the water. The hitch latch mechanism is jambing and I have to pry it into the latched position with a screw driver after it is on the ball. Probably have to replace that this summer. Putting the boat back on the trailer properly is a royal pain. It always takes multiple tries on the ramp as the bow rides over the top of the bow support. A second axle would be great, too. This thing is just too small for the load. The tires look like the axle is bent as they tilt inward at the top. I'm glad my typical tow is about 2 miles from the storage lot to the launching ramp in April and back in October. Glad to hear others are towing with a 6 cylinder Jeep - I just replaced my old Dodge van with one and haven't had the boat on it yet.  
Sailing characterisitcs Fast and tender. Tacks quickly. Old boat was an old Coronado 23 that took two people to tack, one to steer and one to backwind the jib to get the bow through the wind. Not so with the Hunter. Push over the tiller and this boat comes about - NOW. Overshooting tacks is exciting in a strong breeze. Blowing a jibe can also result in people on the cockpit sole. The 110 jib is usually adequate and a second reef point on the main would be nice. The boat does handle well on the main alone with the wind comes up.  
Motoring characterisitcs Good fuel economy with the 5 HP Nissan. Joined up with a friend on a Ranger 25 last summer and had to drop to about 1/2 throttle to keep from running away from him (no wind). Backing requires turning the motor as the rudder does not do much until significant steerageway has been gained.  
Liveability I've never had claustrophobia before trying to sleep in the aft bunk. Never again. The bench on the starboard side is more comfortable and works well for me (I'm 6' 2  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I had a problem with the wiring when the boat was new (fixed it myself) and reported it to Hunter. They were appropriately concerned, but I did not have the dealer fix it, so I can't comment on follow up.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any The dealer was quite helpful when we bought the boat, but I haven't seen him in about 4 years. Moving out of the area has probably had a lot to do with that.  
Other comments  

Contact
About
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Limited Liability
Advertise Here
Copyright 1997-2024 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.

Other Sailboat Owners web sites:
CatalinaOwners.com | HunterOwners.com | MacgregorOwners.com | OdayOwners.com | SailboatOwners.com | 10,000 Boat Names |