1986 Hunter 23

1986 Hunter 23 for sale in Bowling Green Kentucky.

I purchased the boat after the season ended in 2020, sailed it through the 2021 season, but am now selling it due to having purchased another sailboat for current and future seasons. I hate to get rid of a serviceable boat, but I hate seeing it sit out of the water more.

Previously named “Boondoggle” and now generally just called “The Boat”, the boat is a solid small size sailboat. It comes with all the bare essentials needed to get out on the water and enjoy riding the wind but it also has enough comforts to help convince the non-sailors to still come aboard and have a good time. Primarily sailed on Kentucky Lake by the previous owners and then Barren River Lake by me.

The boat as is will do everything expected of a small sailboat. It has a trailer to move it, a hull that keeps out water and keeps it afloat, has all the lines and rigging needed to sail, and the equipment needed for docking and anchoring. However, it needs a few big and a lot of small things done to it if you want to make it nice. A new bottom coat, the keel would benefit from a good scrapping, the trailer could be grinded and painted, the interior could use a deep clean, and the long list of general boat tasks that need to be done most seasons. It is by no means perfect, which I hope I have reflected in my price, but I do firmly believe it is a solid sailboat that could be put out on the water, enjoyed, and gotten home safely as is.

It is certainly not a project boat. But even maintaining or improving a good boat can be a project of its own.

There is a good chance I have forgotten to mention or picture something obvious, if you think I’ve missed anything please feel free to reach out and I’ll get it added or answer any questions you may have. I am easiest to reach via email or text but can also be reached by phone after 4:30 CST most days.

Equipment: - Main Sail: Has some staining but is in good shape. - Head Sail: In great shape and didn’t get any use during the 2021 season. - Main Halyard: The halyard was pretty rough when I got the boat and so prepping for the 2022 season I bought a brand new halyard. It has not been run through the mast, but will come with the boat. - Lines: The remaining lines are serviceable in my opinion, but definitely have had their wear. - Rigging: The boat’s rigging appears solid to my inspection but obviously I recommend the buyer assess themselves. - Motor: The boat does come with an outboard motor. The motor is very old but has very few hours on it from what I was told by previous owners and from what time I put on it. I have tested the motor and it does run but also have the setup to demonstrate live before purchase. - Trailer: The boat does come with a trailer. The trailer definitely needs a fresh coat of paint and some surface rust grinded off, but otherwise is in good condition from my inspection. Again, I always recommend the buyer to confirm this to their satisfaction. - Cushions: Main cabin cushions were redone by previous owner and are still in amazing shape. The bow cabin cushions could use some patching as both myself and the previous owner only used the bow cabin for stowage. - Galley: This model of Hunter 23 came with a simple galley set up with an alcohol stove top and sink with a dedicated through hull drain. - Berths: Technically the boat can berth 4, but more reasonably it can berth 3. One in the bow berth and two in the main cabin when converted. - Fenders: The boat comes with four small fenders. Two of which can be seen in the main cabin stowage image. - Tiller: The boat comes with a detachable tiller that uses the same mount as the aft mast stand. - Spinnaker Pole: Simple wooden wench pole is included, though I didn’t use it in my 2021 season. - Porta Potti: I never used it while I owned the boat, but it came with it originally and I’ll pass it along if the buyer is interested. - Boarding Ladder: The aft of the boat has a boarding ladder that is very useful in water but not necessarily the best getting in and out when on trailer. - Stepping Gear: While using the boat I made some bridle wires and a gin pole to help the stepping process. While I do not recommend using them as they’re home made, I will provide them so the buyer can use them as references for length and fit if they decide to make some of their own or have a set professionally made.