23 foot hunter sailboat

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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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The Hunter 23 is a 23.25ft fractional sloop designed by Hunter Marine and built in fiberglass by Hunter Marine (USA) between 1985 and 1992.

The Hunter 23 is a light sailboat which is a high performer. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a racing boat.

Hunter 23 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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The Hunter 23 is an American trailerable sailboat, that was designed by Hunter Marine and first built in 1985. The design was built by Hunter Marine in the United States from 1985 and 1992, but it is now out of production.

The Hunter 23 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a reverse transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed wing keel or centerboard. It displaces 2,450 lb (1,111 kg) and carries 800 lb (363 kg) of ballast. The wing keel-equipped version of the boat has a draft of 2.25 ft (0.69 m), while the centerboard-equipped version has a draft of 4.90 ft (1.49 m) with the centerboard extended and 2.0 ft (0.61 m) with it retracted, allowing ground transportation on a trailer.

The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, and two straight settees in the main cabin that can be converted into a full-wideth double berth. The galley is located on the port side just aft of the companionway ladder. The galley is equipped with a single-burner stove and a sink. The head is located in the bow cabin under the "V"-berth. Cabin headroom is 55 in (140 cm).

The wing keel version has a PHRF racing average handicap of 237 with a high of 258 and low of 226. The centerboard version has a PHRF racing average handicap of 237 with a high of 219 and low of 276. It has a hull speed of 5.93 kn (10.98 km/h).

Source: Wikipedia . Image Credit: Wikipedia

LOA: 23.25 ft LWL: 19.58 ft Beam: 8.00 ft Draft: 2.25 ft Displacement: 2450.00 lbs Ballast: 800.00 lbs Hull type: Wing Keel Hull construction: FG Rigging type: Fractional Sloop

Hunter 23 for sale in the last 12 months

Below you'll find the latest Hunter 23 listings for the last 12 months. We compare the listing price with boats listed in the past and the color coding indicates if the price is good (green = below the average listing price) or more on the expensive side (red = seller is asking more than the average listing price).

Hunter 23 listing prices over time

Listing details.

HUNTER 23 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of HUNTER 23. Built by Hunter Marine (USA) and designed by undefined, the boat was first built in 1985. It has a hull type of Wing Keel and LOA is 7.09. Its sail area/displacement ratio 20.83. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

HUNTER 23 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about HUNTER 23 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, contributions, who builds hunter 23.

HUNTER 23 is built by Hunter Marine (USA).

When was HUNTER 23 first built?

HUNTER 23 was first built in 1985.

How long is HUNTER 23?

HUNTER 23 is 5.97 m in length.

What is mast height on HUNTER 23?

HUNTER 23 has a mast height of 7.82 m.

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• Hunter 23 Sailboat

Hunter 23 Sailboat Boats for sale

1986 Hunter 23 Sailboat

Charleston, South Carolina

Make Hunter

Length 23.0

Posted Over 1 Month

This is a great trailerable sailboat that is ready to sail today. The boat comes with a two sets of sails, one of which is like new. The trailer is ready to roll, and the 4hp Mercury outboard runs like well. All the cushions in the boat are in good shape. The running and standing rigging is complete and in good shape. There are no electronics, but the electrical system in the boat is in working order. The boat could use some bottom paint but is sail-able as is.

1985 Hunter 23' sailboat

Littleton, Colorado

Category Daysailer Sailboats

This 1985 Hunter 23 is in almost "Bristol" condition. The headsail is one seasonold from North. The main sail has two seasons use and is also from North. Both sails are tri-radial. The headsail has roller furling. The main sail has a "Dutchman" flaking system. This makes sail handling very easy. You can raise and lower the mainsail from the cockpit. There is a cruising spinnaker that furls up. The primary winches are 2 speed. There a 2 anchors. There is a 55 watt solar panel with a controller to keep the battery charged. All the wood is in beautiful condition (inside and out). Everything is easy to operate and in first class condition. the boat is amply powered by a 2008 2HP Honda 4 stroke engine. The boat is at Chatfield. I am only selling this boat because I bought a cruising boat on the east coast.”

Hunter 23' Sailboat 1987

Oceanside, New York

Model Hunter

The boat is in great condition,was a sweet water boat,sail only used one season,cut to off shore sailing.Includes marine radio,regular radio with cassette.Has Fixed keel 23",Cast iron.Trailer included.No engine.mast height 33',ballast 800lbs.Headroom 4'7". sail area 235.5 sq.ft.

Hunter 23.5 weekender sailboat with trailer. Solid condition. Many extras.

Pensacola, Florida

Length 23.5

This Hunter 23.5 is in good condition. Lots of new extras, including high performance rudder, Raymarine A3 series gps/chart plotter, bimini top, roller reef genoa and like new bottom paint. The boat has lived on an lift since I purchased it 2012. Selling because of health issues.

23'5 Hunter Sailboat 1995

Beaufort, South Carolina

Call Boat Owner Hank 843-473-0993. Coast guard pack, 3 berths, cooler, alcohol stove, single axle trailer, battery, sleeps 5, original owner, prof maintained, winter cover, new upholstery, many extras

Ringgold, Georgia

2013/ 1986 Hunter 23 sailboat.

Madison, Mississippi

2013/ 1986 hunter 23 sailboat. comes with new 6 hp. mercury 4 stroke with less than one hr. on it. custom trailer, fresh paint. fresh exterior and interior, poti potty, sink, stove. boat shows as new call Charlotte 601-850-9443

1986 Hunter 23' with new Sails Mercury outboard

Ridgeland, South Carolina

1986 Hunter 23 Sailboat Great boat, Great for river & bay sailing LOA23' 3 inLWL19' 7 inBeam8'Draft2' 3 inDisplacement2450 lbsBallast800 lbsSail Area235.5 sq ft (21.88 m2)Mast Height33'Water Capacity6 gal https://youtu.be/EK2WxUOyQxQ A DEPOSIT OF $500.00 IS REQUIRED AT END OF AUCTION NEW SAILS, NEW HARDWARE, TRAILER IN GOOD SHAPE, READY FOR THE WATER

1995 Hunter 336 Sailboat with Trailer also Available

Ketchum, Oklahoma

Category Cruiser Motorcycles

Length 34.0

This Boat is in excellent condition and has been in freshwater on Grand Lake in Oklahoma all its life. It is powered by a 27 HP Yenmar diesel with low hours. A RayMarine Evolution EV1 autopolit with an S10 remote control has just been installed this spring. It also has the following:New Toliet, All New Factory Canvas Covers including, Sail Cover, Sun protective shades for all overhead portalites, Wheel Console cover, Winch covers, New Factory Sunbrella Double Bimini Canvas, Marine central air conditioning, New marine radio, Magma Grill, A new set of Bottom Siders Cockpit cushions, new bluetooth sound system/ FM stereo, new batteries, new battery charger. This boat is tagged until 2017 and is Coast Guard Documented.A 23,000 lb capacity triple axel sailboat trailer is also available for an additional 6000 dollars.

Hunter 28.5 Sailboat. Freshwater. Freshly renovated. Turn-key.

Chaumont, New York

Length 28.4

Newly renovated 1986 Hunter 28.5 Sloop. This is a wonderful yacht which has been updated and restored for years of luxurious service! She has been set up as a beautiful cruiser but still has serious Sunday racer bones! B&R rigged with a brand new CDI FF7 Ball Bearing Flexible Furler. 150% Genoa in excellent condition. Mainsail is crisp and also in excellent condition! Builder: Hunter Designer: Hunter Design Group Keel: Fin Dimensions LOA: 28 ft 4 in Beam: 10 ft 6 in LWL: 23 ft 9 in Maximum Draft: 5 ft 2 in Displacement: 7000 lbs Ballast: 3000 lbs Engine 1: Engine Brand: Yanmar Year Built: 1986 Engine Model: 2 Engine Type: Inboard Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel Propeller: 2 blade propeller Engine Power: 16 HP Cruising Speed: 6 mph Tanks Fresh Water Tanks: (30 Gallons) Fuel Tanks: (11 Gallons) Holding Tanks: (10 Gallons) Accommodations The open interior plan has a vee berth forward of the U-shaped dinette. The galley is aft to port and aft to starboard is a nav table and enclosed head compartment with hot and cold shower, marine toilet and vanity. Furthest aft is a private cabin that sleeps two. The sole is trimmed in bamboo. There are numerous storage bins and a hanging locker. Options New CDI FF7 Genoa Furler New Raymarine Depth and Knot meter. New Pioneer Stereo with speakers both in salon and cockpit. New VHF Radio New 19" flat-screen TV New cabin cushions throughout New single-burner alcohol stove DVD Player Renovation work done: All engine/drivetrain components inspected and serviced with parts replaced as needed Fuel tank drained and cleaned All filters replaced All hoses inspected and replaced as needed All bulkheads repaired or replaced as needed All through-hulls inspected and/or replaced All wiring inspected and replaced as needed All plumbing inspected and repaired/replaced as needed All fixtures inspected and repaired/replaced as needed Brand new Marine Plywood cabin sole with bamboo finish to brighten interior Brand new countertops in Galley and Head Pressurized water pump re-built and system checked Bilge pump and float switch inspected and cleaned Sail locker re-built All wood sanded, stained and varnished Hatch seals inspected and repaired as necessary Hull buffed and waxed Freshly bottom painted Also included: Various lines Fenders Life jackets Galley accoutrements including silverware Cradle This boat has normal wear and tear as would be expected. Hunter "smile" just professionally repaired with westsystem. Previous owner left hatch open over winter. Interior completely rebuilt. This boat is turn-key but has not been personalized yet. Here is your opportunity to get a boat in ready to sail condition at a fraction of what it would cost to buy new! The best part being that you don't have to live with someone else's questionable decorating prowess or dated cushions, fixtures, etc. Schedule your appointment to see her today. She will not last long!

1987 Hunter Sailboat

Liverpool, New York

1987 Hunter sailboat 23'6" with galvanized trailer and a few very nice and convenient add ons such as a t. keel roller furlin five horse Suzuki motor. This boat sails like new! Interior is in excellent condition this boat was very well cared for and has been owned and maintained by a true enthusiast. It comes with a two burner stove a chemical portable toilet and many accessories such as life jackets lines and much more! The boat sleeps six and is ready for fun with the family or entertaining company! All you will need to supply is a crew for the season to enjoy this beautiful boat. It is priced to move with the spring upon us it will not last!

1996 Hunter 23.5

Wichita, Kansas

1996 Hunter 23.5,I am the 2nd owner of this boat. She is kept super clean inside and out. Everything works.Stainless steel stern rail chairs, 150% Main, jib, storm jib, sink, alcohol stove, life jackets, deck mounted compass, ice chest, windex, too much to list.Honda 4 Cycle motor - starts on first pull OR can use electric start. Battery included for owners choice.Trailer included, 95+% left on tires, less than a year old, spare included. Boat sails really nice. Easy to single hand. Also - the mast is best if stepped by one person and takes 5 - 10 minutes. Huge cockpit to place the whole family. Bow quarters with nice cushions below. Bench seats and stern sleeping section. A new job, our family schedule, and activities are keeping us too busy to enjoy this sailboat. The boat is ready to sail. 316.243.7688 $9300

1994 Hunter 23.5

Indianapolis, Indiana

Category Sailboats

1994 Hunter 23.5 Trailerability, comfort, quality and fun are the key components in the Hunter 23.5, a sailboat that does so much, so well. A water ballast system is central to the 23.5's ability to be easily trailered, and yet able to sail. Additionally, the swing centerboard brings her minimum draft to only 18 inches for almost limitless gunkholing. The unique raising system allows singlehanded rigging and reduced launch times. The 23.5 has a large cockpit with centerboard controls and running rigging led aft for shorthanded sailing comfort and safety. Below is a spacious cabin with two double berths, convertible settees, a functional galley, and portable head tucked under the forward berth. There is excellent sitting headroom, plus standing headroom when the seahood is raised. Additionally, a functional galley, dining table, private head, and generous sleeping berths maximize the comfort and pleasure in your sailing vacations. Also, the dining table is designed to fit in the cockpit, enhancing the best seating area - the great outdoors. Discover the fresh thinking and attention to detail in the 23.5. Easy to sail, easy to trailer, and fun to own.

1986 Hunter 28.5 Sailboat, shoal draft, ready to daysailing or coastal cruising!

Jacksonville, Florida

Length 28.5

Riversong is a 1986 Hunter 28.5’ shoal draft sailboat that is ready for day sailing or extended coastal cruising! She has a very well appointed cockpit with a Raymarine ST6002 wheel autopilot, Raymarine e7 touchscreen chart plotter with wifi, Rule Aqua compass, and more. The bimini and dodger will keep you shaded from the sun and have zip in sections to keep you dry when it rains. Swing out speaker so you can listen to music while you swim and a ladder to get you back on-board. She has an anchor with plenty of rode to keep you in place. Down below you will find a full galley with stainless sink, alcohol 2 burner stove, cooler, microwave, 1000 watt inverter, and huge dual voltage refrigerator. The salon features fold out table, seating for 6, a television with boosted antenna, dvd player, am/fm cd player with bluetooth. She can sleep 4 comfortably (2 in the v-berth and 2 in the quarter berth), or 6 if you use the salon benches. The rear quarter berth has a hanging closet and drawers. There is tons of storage everywhere. The bathroom has a sink, shower (with hot water heater), and an electric flush head. There is a big hanging closet in the head as well. There’s even a wine rack under the v-berth for storing the most important of provisions. You can enjoy all of this in the nice cool air-conditioning provided by the on-board Mermaid A/C unit. Her sails are in great shape. She comes with a main sail (with 2 reefing points) and roller furl working jib (130%). The main sheet, main halyard, and topping life were replaced in 2014. The winches are 2 speed and in great shape. She also has whisker and spinnaker poles, but no sails to go with them. Her iron jib is a Yanmar 2GM20F in great shape. The fuel pump and starter were just replaced in 2014. The house battery is also brand new, as is the dual battery charging system. She comes with many other little things like a handheld VHF radio, extra winch handles, extra line, 30 amp shore cable, hoses, etc. I will have her bottom cleaned prior to taking delivery. Below are the detailed physical specifications: Hull Type: Fin w/spade rudderRig Type: B&RLOA: 28.42' / 8.66mLWL: 23.75' / 7.24mBeam: 10.50' / 3.20mListed SA: 398 ft2 / 36.97 m2Draft (max.) 5.18' / 1.58mDraft (min.) Disp. 7000 lbs./ 3175 kgs.Ballast: 3000 lbs. / 1361 kgs.SA/Disp.: 17.46Bal./Disp.: 42.87%Disp./Len.: 233.27Designer: Hunter DesignBuilder: Hunter Marine (USA)Construct.: FGBal. type: First Built: 1985Last Built: 1988# Built: TANKSWater: 27 gals. / 102 ltrs.Fuel: 11 gals. / 42 ltrs.RIG DIMENSIONS KEYI(IG): 37.33' / 11.38mJ: 12.08' / 3.68mP: 31.75' / 9.68mE: 10.83' / 3.30mPY: EY: SPL/TPS: ISP: SA(Fore.): 225.47 ft2 / 20.95 m2SA(Main): 171.93 ft2 / 15.97 m2Total(calc.)SA: 397.40 ft2 / 36.92 m2DL ratio: 233.27SA/Disp: 17.43Est. Forestay Len.: 39.24' / 11.96mMast Height from DWL: 41.25' / 12.57mBUILDERS (past & present)More about & boats built by: Hunter Marine (USA)NOTESShoal draft: 4'/1.21m

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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: August 4, 2021

In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.

To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.

Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.

Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.

Marblehead 22 Daysailer

If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com

Catalina 22 Sport

Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com

With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com

Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com

BayRaider from Swallow Boats

Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.

$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com

Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com

West Wight Potter P 19

With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com

NorseBoat 17.5

Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.

$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com

Montgomery 17

Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.

With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat.  cwhoodyachts.com

Sun Cat from Com-Pac

Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.

$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com

Catalina 16.5

The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com

No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com

Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.

$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com

Super Snark

Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.

$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com

Norseboat 21.5

Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.

$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com

Flying Scot

Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.

$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com

Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.

$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com

WindRider WRTango

WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.

$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com

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The Hunter 23 is an American trailerable sailboat designed by Hunter Marine and was first built in 1985. The production started in 1982 and continued till 1992, but it then went out of production.

About the Hunter 23

Hunter 23 is mainly used as a recreational keelboat, and it is built primarily of fiberglass and has wood trim. The build consists of a raked stem, reverse transom, fractional sloop rig, and a transom hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed-wing keel or centerboard.

This centered board equipped version has a draft of 4.90 ft (1.49m) with centerboard extended and 2.0 ft (0.61 m) with it retraced. The wing keel equipped version of the boat has a draft of 2.25 ft (0.69 m), and it allows the ground transportation on a trailer. The Hunter 23 displaces 800 lb (363 kg). It has a mainsail area of 125.14 sq ft (11.626 m2), and jib/genoa area of 110.50 sq ft (10.266 m2).

An outboard motor is usually fitted in the boat for maneuvering and docking. The wing keel version of Hunter 23 has a PHRF racing average handicap of 237 with a high of 258 and a low of 226. The centerboard version has a PHRF racing average handicap of 237 with a high till 219 and lows till 276. The hull speed of Hunter 23 is 5.93 kn (10.98 km/h).

Request a Hunter 23 Quote

Looking to buy a new headsail or mainsail for your Hunter 23? Request a free quote from Precision Sails for a new custom sail. Our team will work with you to design the perfect sail for you.

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new owner - Sail options for Hunter 23.5?

• Thread starter Dfed
• Start date Dec 5, 2016
• Tags hunter 23.5
• Hunter Owner Forums
• Smaller Boats

I am looking at buying new sails for my recently acquired 1996 Hunter 23.5. We do lake sailing, light air under 12 knots typical, but are only 3 hours from the Carolina coast so there's potential for coastal sailing. I'm considering a loose footed mainsail so I can get better shape in light air. I had one on my last boat (an S2 7.3) that I raced, and was happy with the boats performance if not my own. Is anyone flying a loose foot mainsail on their 23.5? What are the pros and cons to consider? Also looking at a new roller furling headsail to replace my jib. The way this is boat is rigged, I don't see how I could really fly much more than a 110. I seem to recall a discussion on this forum that said that the 23.5 can't fly a genoa. Is this correct? Finally, this boat did not come with a spinnaker. The owners manual shows a symmetrical rig, but some sailmakers are including asymmetricals in their list of options. Is anyone flying an asym on a 23.5? Have you installed a bow sprit? Regards  

Although I've posted a lot for sailing with good shaped sails, I do think it's wise to sail your boat for a season or so to learn what you would like to have for a new sail plan. It's probably not something someone can tell you due to local conditions, your own taste in sailing and how you are going to use the boat. It is possible that you may decide that this boat doesn't meet your expectations (Maybe nothing to do with its sailing characteristics), and you may want to move on. You most likely won't see the money for new sails come back.  

DayDreamer41

I like the advise by shemandr, the Hunter SA have a large main compared to the jib I would play around with that and see what you like, with the B&R rig it will restrict how far you can let the main out as the spreaders are swept back. The main is approximately 2/3's of your SA, so a big jib is not advisable, would be too easy to overpower the boat.  

If you need a mainsail, check the used gear classifieds on this site- look in the the gear wanted list, not the for sale list. There is a post to sell a like new 23.5 main- coastal cruise version by Peak Sails, used once (they posted it in the wrong category). If it would fit my 240 I would already have it!  

Crazy Dave Condon

DFED; The 23.5 was designed so it will only accommodate a 110 jib. The next sail for light air is an A symmetrical spinnaker. As for the main, it is larger than a normal standard main as the boat which Hunter was putting more power in the main. Combined with both sails, in a sense, you have a standard main and a 140 % genoa total area. I suggest wait a year and then rethink a foot loose main but in the years as a dealer for the 23.5 with nearly 25% of the production sold, never sold a foot loose main in all my years for the 23.5. As for roller furling, I went with the CDI FF2 as you can leave the sail rolled up and lower/raise the mast if you are going to trailer a lot. Think of it this way. You are at the end of the day in a hot sun tired and want to go home. the less time to prep a boat to go home is the way I look at gear on a trailerable boat.  

Barnacle Bill

The 23.5 has a fractional rig (the forestay doesn't go all the way up to the top of the mast), which means your headsails will be smaller and the mainsail larger. A masthead rig, where the forestay goes to the top of the mast usually has larger headsails and smaller mainsails. The fractional rig is nice because handling headsails through tacks, etc. is much easier and more of the horsepower is employed in the mainsail. Often this type of rig allows the boat to be well balanced so you can sail with the main alone - not using the jib at all. The best information you can get, covering your questions, should be asked to a local sailmaker. First of all, they will, if good at what they do, suggest a sail inventory that matched the area that you sail and the type of sailing you wish to do. The sails can be built to suit. I have sailed (and owned) boats with loose footed mains and no problem. Might save some money to boot because the sailmaker doesn't have to put in a lens foot, or a foot with a bolt rope, slugs, etc. Roller furling is a good idea as then you can roll up the sail from the cockpit and never have to go forward to deal with it, bag it and take up space below to stow the thing. A sailmaker will build a sail designed for furling (they need to know the make) and can build in a luff designed for reefing to maintain decent sail shape. CDI is not a reefing furling unit, but the Schaefer Snap Furl is. Both have flexible extrusions which is grand for trailerable boats. The CDI uses their own halyard system incorporated into the luff extrusion, the Snap Furl uses your existing halyards. Both work well, but the halyard differences might conclude your decision.  

Barnacle Bill. You need to explain " CDI is not a reefing furling unit, but the Schaefer Snap Furl is." You are confusing one is not and the other is. One of the other small boat furlers are two halves that the early version use to move causing problems. The CDI referenced is a single extrusion which does furl but the max sail on this boat for a jib is a 110 and that will be fine. The idea that it has it own internal halyard leaves the boat jib halyard for lowering and raising the mast alone. I found this is good if trailering a lot as you can leave the sail furled on the furler and the fact it can be laid down bending if necessary is a plus when at the end of the day you are hot and tired and the less time to pack up a boat to prepare trailering home is something to think about. Not sure why this is not considered a reefing furler like the other mentioned. Just waiting for a response.  

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