Hunter 23.5

The design was built by Hunter Marine in the United States between 1992 and 1997, but it is now out of production. ==Design==

The Hunter 23.5 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a fractional sloop rig with a full batten mainsail and a 110% genoa, a raked stem, a walk-through reverse transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a metal tiller and a centerboard. It displaces and carries of flooding water ballast. The ballast is drained for road transport. ==Operational history==

In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "the Hunter ... uses water ballast, which automatically pours in as the boat is launched and drains out when the boat is pulled from the water and placed on its trailer. The water is supposed to lighten the hull for easier trailering (which it does), while preserving the boat's stiffness under sail which it doesn't, at least not very well). The water ballast just isn't heavy enough. Best features: There's lots of space compared to comp[etitor]s. Worst features: One disillusioned owner said it all: 'I love Hunter sailboats, but this model heels so rapidly [a result of the water ballast design] that it scared my wife right out of sailing, so I'm out of this sport altogether now.' The same owner pointed out that the handrails were 'weak and easily broken.' One may wonder, after his bad experience with the 23.5, why he 'loves' Hunters. He didn't tell us." ==See also==