You opinions valued - Hunter (UK) Horizon 23/232

[Shearwater]

Currently operate a (US) Legend 235 lift keel, water ballast, light weight and she suits us very well. We sail the Med in a large sheltered and shallow bay, flobberling and twitching day sailing, fishing and jumping over the side. All excellent. But. But I now want to go further afield, a few nights at a time and perhaps do some coastal distances and circumnavigate Mallorca, Minorca, etc. Length of hull is an issue as we are berthed in a very expensive area and save pennies by having a shallow depth berth. Have always respected the (UK) Hunter company and am thinking about the 23 or 232 so would seriously appreciate feedback from owners about their satisfaction with the quality of build, seaworthiness and overall satisfaction. Ideas of other types of boat will be welcomed for a pair of fit 60 yr olds wanting proper heads, possibly a walk-thru transom (even tho' the H23 doesn't have this) but the self-tacking jib seems a beazer idea and makes up for it...... we'd buy in UK and have it trucked over. Feedback welcomed.

 

[barryg]

Had a 23 for 3 years great boat very seaworthy quite quick for size high ballast ratio, solid build toilet a bit tight, esay to sail but you need to get outboard right pm me.

 

[fastjedi]

Great boats, fast, stiff, capable offshore, sensible layout.

I was told the inboard outboard is a bit of a nightmare in close quarters because you cant push water over the rudder. Some have trouble maintaining air flow within the engine locker.

Watch out for later boats (circa 1994 on) as there were some hull material problems leading to wet hulls.

In the end we opted for a later Ranger 245 for the above reasons. Brilliant boat and able to compete in every way with many larger boats.

 

[Shearwater]

Thank you, both. I shall llok at the Ranger as the extra length sounds most interesting.