| I have heard nothing but good things about it, except it is a bit
expensive for a 23'er. I have been out sailing in Buzzards Bay in
my 35' ketch and been impressed with how well they kept up in the
chop and breeze. They seem to carry sail well and have seen a few
single-handed with no apparent problems.
Good luck, Ed
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| Back when they cost "only" $13K, a friend of mine bought one. (Now I think
they're more than double that!) I sailed it fairly extensively, and here
are a few impressions.
It's a *very* well thought out and well built vessel. Much fine detail.
My only complaints centered entirely on the fact I'm 6'3", and the berths
are 3+" than I would have liked, and the seats similarly a tad small for
my tastes. But, if you're closer to average lankiness, it's pretty fine.
Inside, it's what they call a honeymoon cruiser; plan to sail with a friend.
It's very competent in performance, and very predictable and forgiving.
By today's standards, though, it's somewhat slow and not as close-winded
as many. For similar money, a Nonsuch 22 will sail rings around it. For
less money (and less comfort), a J22 will leave it in the dust, as will a
Kirby 23 (Sonar-with-a-cabin -- fine boat.) But if you like Mercedes cars
despite the cost, because of their feel and detail, look closely at a S.H.
And compared to the Nonsuch 22, the interior room is quite small, though
*very* efficiently used.
If you haven't already, get Peter Duff's little booklet on the Stone Horse
Cruising Philosophy. It's about $5, and reads a bit like Herreshoff's "Compleat
Cruiser," (another must-read book for the coastal cruiser.) It will answer
almost every question you might have before going for a sail on one. There
is/are one or more Stone Horses for charter in New England -- Peter Duff
probably knows just whose and where.
John.
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