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Hunter Liberty and Minstrel Owners Association
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"What a pretty boat, with that nice stern and unusual rig: what is it?"

We agree that the questionaire is right: everything about the boat is both pretty and practical. David Thomas developed the design for Hunter Boats in 1979, capitalising on his memories of the stern of a Royal Naval Montague Whaler and the best aspects of Gary Hoyt's American Freedom concept (hence the "Liberty" name) but anglicised so that conventional mast tracks could be used - and therefore a single sail instead of a wrap round - and the sail also reefed more efficiently as the complications of the wishbone and snotter are avoided.

Liberty

Liberty

Minstrel

Minstrel

But we do enjoy not having genoa sheet winches, the easy balancing of the two masted rig, the use of the tightly sheeted mizzen to keep the boat heading into wind while the main is set or the anchor weighed. Enthusiasts set upwind blade staysails or downwind balloon types between the masts, or even forward of the main mast, so it is possible to make life as complicated as you wish

Life below decks is highly civilised because the main mast is so far forward that it does not interfere with the accommodation layout, while the offset main hatch allows a full sized heads compartment (with surprisingly good headroom) immediately to port. So the saloon allows a double or two singles, plus a very long quarter berth running back under the cockpit and a good galley.

The Minstrel and Liberty 23 hulls, keels and rudders are identical. Below decks they are also the same, except that the Minstrel has an essential mast support. This slight inconvenience is countered in some boats by using it as a table support. Likewise, despite the support, owners have found ways to organise an infill cushion, so allowing a double berth

Minstrels are normally faster up wind than Libertys, as they should be since they have single masted rigs and a little more sail area. For the same reasons they are not quite as stiff. Off the wind there is little difference, though Libertys sometimes seem to gain in stronger winds. To our surprise, a goose winged and well laden Liberty has run away from a spartan Bermudan rigged Minstrel with its spinnaker set, so nothing is certain

Altogether 84 Libertys were built: 65 22s and 19 23s (the same hull with more ballast, a slightly bigger rig and bigger, less attractive windows) and then Hunter Boats used the same hull to build 30 of the gaff rigged Minstrel class, which is equally popular; Liberty and Minstrel sailors delight in late evening discussions over the relative merits and speed of their boats.

The Association

Welcome to Hunter Liberty & Ministrel Owners Association

The Association boasts 87 members, so we still have to find about 30 of the boats, to document the whole class. If you happen to know of one, anywhere, we would like to know how we can contact the owner, so that we can try to discover its history, regardless of whether the owner wishes to join us or not.

HLMOA's aim is to provide a forum of discussion and group activity centered around individuals who have a common interest in boats of the type:

Some of HLMOA's activities and information:

To contact us please email us on contact@hlmoa.org.uk

Joining

If you would like to join the Association please complete the online form : Joining the Association

Do note that there is a small annual subscription charge of £5 for UK residents

Leaving

If you would like to leave the Association please please email us on contact@hlmoa.org.uk We would request you let us know why.

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For Sale

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You should take note that this Association takes no responsibility for our Members' advertisements. Neither does it confer any guarantees regarding the items for sale. We are here only to provide a contact point and cannot provide advice on any item. Please contact the advertiser directly if you need further details.

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For Sale

Rosie, Minstrel 23 No.110 with a complete inventory

   £9500 ono. Contact  Jeff Ellis 01379 674555  jeff.ellis@gmx.com

Rosie is the full and complete sailing package

You can email me or phone 07800 924199 The sale is also being handled by Indigo Yachting. Link: https://www.indigoyachting.com/product/1121/yacht-information

A quick tour on youtube here: https://youtu.be/kXYcYqJvg6g?si=_YIfwHm3VIpuBLwn

 

A Minstrel with everything done and with everything (including the kitchen sink) ready to go sailing. 5 Months spent this year renovating Rosie means she's ready to go and fully equipped.

Below is full information on Rosie. Further down is a full inventory.

 

External

Rosie is in excellent overall condition for her age with a few minor age marks. The very limited exterior wood on Rosie is oiled for easy maintenance and the interior has been reconditioned this year with new woodwork and new space and effort saving features. One set of the washboards and tiller are varnished.

She comes complete with sturdy trailer and dolly with new tyres last year and two spare wheels. In 2024 she has had a rewire with a new 50w solar panel and MPPT controller, comes with a complete wiring diagram and is powered by two 70ah batteries on a 0/1/2/both isolator switch. She is instrumented with Raymarine sounder and log. High and low level navigation lights which are all LED as are all the other lights on the boat. She also has a Simrad tiller pilot. There are two 12v car type sockets in the cabin and two USB charging sockets on the companionway bulkhead next to a useful shelf above the cooker.

The sails are in good condition and there is a spare unused jib. All of the spars, standing and running rigging are virtually new with very little use and the running rigging was only fitted this year. A rigging diagram is supplied. There is a good quality sail cover. The headsail furler was fitted new this year. The sprayhood is in very good condition.

The outboard is a Mariner Sailmate 6hp with charging new in 2019. The impeller and sacrificial anode was replaced this year and has since had approximately 5 hours running. A 12 litre fuel tank with gauge is in excellent condition and is stored on a shelf level with the motor head in the cockpit locker with an outlet for the fuel pipe through the cockpit seat bulkhead. It's nearly full of fuel and has had a storage additive added for the winter.

The keel and lifting mechanism is in very good condition and works smoothly. The rudder is in very good condition with good up and downhauls fitted and the tiller is in good condition.

The washboards are in excellent condition and there are a spare “storage” set. Also supplied is a custom gin pole for raising the mast single handed which is inserted into two pad-eyes on the coachroof and uses the trailer winch.

 

Galley kit

The interior has been extensively reworked with new sink which is large enough to properly wash up in and a storage and drying rack above that allows washing up to drain back into the sink so no drying up required. The drying rack also stores the dried equipment for next use and is designed to contain it all while sailing. The sink is large enough to place a saucepan or frying pan in to wash and there's pressurised water from a container beneath the sink. The design of the sink unit adds length to the seat when used as a bed compared to the much wider standard fitment.

The location of the sink means that the dishes can be taken from the table straight to the sink and then to the dryer without having to move from the seat at the sink and no tea towels are required. When not in use a lid hinges down over the sink enabling it to be used as an arm rest or shelf.

Cooking is on the last version of the Origo twin burner stove with fiddles. The platform under the cooker houses the two 70ah batteries and also provides a gap for extra foot room if sitting at the stove/ preparation area. The Drinking water is separate in two 5 litre containers adjacent to the stove. There is a shelf that can be rotated into position above the cooker if required for either food prep or chart work.

 

Storage

The quarter birth is currently used for storage of sail covers and the included cockpit boom tent. Also if towing a dinghy the “tunnel” under the cockpit is long enough to take 6ft oars.

The cushions are all in good condition and there is lots of storage with 6 large lockers in the cabin, shelves all round plus nets under the shelves. There are also two lockers in the heads and a large shelf.

 

Table

There is a saloon table that lives rotated forward out of the way and up against the cabin ceiling. The table can rotated and brought down and can also have it's extension fitted to make it the full length of the seats or it can be fully lowered into the gap between the seats to give more room sleeping.

 

Night and lighting

Under the shelf at the forward end of the cabin provides a very convenient place for bedding during the day which can then be easily pulled into position for sleeping. There are a set of window blackouts that are pushed into the windows recesses for sleeping. These provide a much darker cabin than curtains and also prevent condensation.

The cabin lights are all LED and each has it's own on-off switch but all controlled by the cabin master switch. The switches are arranged to be over the sleeping positions and cooker positions. The lighting is simple kitchen cabinet lighting and a spare roll of the led's is also supplied as part of the kit.

 

Heads

The heads contains three seacocks. One in use for the sink and two more not currently in use but in good working condition. Currently there is a 2024 Trelino composting toilet but it would be easy to replace with a sea toilet as was previously fitted only requiring a sea toilet and pipework.

 

Trailer

The trailer is in good condition and had new tyres last year which now have a total mileage of approximately 600 miles. The wheel bearings were replaced and the brakes adjusted in September 2024. The trailer is supplied with good quality transit straps in good condition to hold the boat and the two spare wheels which are normally carried on the nose of the trailer to aid trailing nose weight.

 

Other kit

Rosie is a complete deal and includes a recent crewsaver life-jacket, horn, emergency beacon, fire extinguisher, fire blanket cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, pans, fuel for the cooker, oil lamp, oil, first aid kit, kettle, Ensign etc.

Also in the large illuminated cockpit locker ships bucket, cleaning kit, mooring lines, fenders, bilge pump (tested working but not so far required), boat hook, elevated shelf for the fuel tank. The fuel tank has a custom fitted vapour lock that vents the cap directly to the cockpit so that no fumes enter the locker or cabin. There are also shapes for daylight hoisting and a radar reflector. In the forward anchor recess a 6Kg Kobra anchor 9.5m of 8mm of chain joined to 40m of 16mm warp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inventory

 

Rosie, Sail number 110, built 1992 in very good condition

Trailer with dolly

Mariner Sailmate 6hp outboard 2019

 

New 2024

Furler

Electrics and rewire

50w solar panel

Bluetooth Victron MPPT solar controller

Plumbing

Sink

Woodwork for above

Carpets throughout, rubber backed, washable, easily removable

All lights converted to LED - cabin lights, high and low level navigation lights

Bearings for the trailer, October 2024

Trailer jockey wheel

Custom trailering mast supports

Fire extinguisher

5 litre pressurised washing up water container with hose, tap and spares

Waste bin

Running rigging

 

Equipment in excellent condition

2019 Mariner 6hp saildrive with charging impeller done only a few hours use

Mast, boom and gaff, used less than one season

Standing rigging like new

Fuel tank and fuel line

Recovered spray hood

Boom tent

Tyres and valves for the trailer (2023)

Trailering straps - all required for trailering Rosie (2023)

Origo 2 burner stove (last model made) with 1x fiddle

Fire blanket

2x 70ah batteries

Spare jib

 

Other equipment in very good condition

Main and foresail in good working condition and are not baggy. No tears or repairs. They set very well and are very easy to handle.

6Kg Kobra anchor 9.5m 8mm chain and 40m 16mm warp

Trailer with dolly, winch, new jockey wheel, simple removable lighting board attachment. 2x spare wheels

Tiller and rudder

Folding boom crutch

2x sets of 2 washboards, one varnished, one painted thick “storage boards”

3x fenders

Enamel plates, mugs, bowls and lightweight cutlery, tin opener etc.

Kettle, saucepans, steamer, frying pan in a box that fits in the quarterbirth

2x 5litre drinking water containers with taps

Tiller pilot

12v vacuum cleaner

VHF aerial

Yard ladder

Purpose made gin pole and winch line guide

A roll of spare cabin LED lights

An unopened tin of antifoul good for one complete coat

 

Also included in the price but not used on the boat

A Lowrance 7m Elite chart plotter is also supplied. We used an IP68 rated rugged tablet with Navionics so was not required but is in good working order

Quarter birth cushion in good condition. The quarterbirth is now used for large seldom used items like sail bags and the tent and could be used for a small inflatable tender.

A Wallas diesel heater. This was originally in the heads and vented to the cabin but was removed as not required for our sailing. It is untested in our ownership and a drip leak was found from the chimney (still in place but sealed) into the heater. Apparently Wallas (in Finland) still make the spares and it could possibly be made to work again. The fitting kit that was removed at the time is with the heater making replacement very simple if required.

Extensive history and receipts going back to the late nineties. Folder of equipment instuctions. Hunter rigging information. Some extra rigging drawings by us.

 

Notes

A fixed radio is not fitted but there is a purpose made space and a fused switch on the main panel about 20cm away with a ready made conduit to the position. The aerial wire from the radio position to the coachroof socket is in place behind the headlining and there is an aerial position at the mast top.There is space in the mast electrics conduit for a radio aerial.

The Sailmate outboard does have a working charging circuit but is not used because the 50w solar panel and capacity of the two 70ah batteries is more than enough given all of the lighting is LED. Using the charging circuit would also require the electrics to be earthed through the hull.

A gimballing kit for the Origo cooker this can be fitted but would affect the two shelves above.

We replaced the ageing sea toilet with a new Trelino composting toilet which works perfectly and no smells. These toilets are very simple with no moving parts or valves and suited our sailing as the rules are getting tighter with respect to discharge anywhere other than the sea. The seacocks are still present and in good condition in the heads this would be a simple job if required. Given the type of item the Trelino toilet is negotiable should you wish to replace it.

 

For Sale

Minstrel 23

   £8000 ono. Contact  Lou Huson 07389835957  flyinghorselawn@gmail.com

For sale.

Hunter minstrel 23, . Sanders main and jib both old but with no patches and generally in good nick. The hull has been copper coated 2years ago. Everything is either new or re fitted inc, spars varnished,  depth and log, tri colour, waterproof switch boards, USB, inverter, cabin nav lights, LEDs,Houdini hatch new from force 4, agm battery,  windows, cushions, memory foam toppers really comfortable. running rigging etc.there is a stainless charcoal heater which works really well. A choice of either a meths cooker or a taylors 028 with newish burners, ive spent over 500 pounds on this. LThe heads is currently a compost type called a separate its not been used.  Comes with a very substantial twin axle trailer with 5 good tyres almost new, up to 65psi.,and is breaked. The boat has all new headlining very smart. Lots spent. . Comes with a new 6hp tohatsu pro long shaft outboard with charging coil,not ever started. Lots of the usaul things come with the boat inc cqr, fenders, etc. Back issues forces sale. Please email me or phone for further and pics. ... lbloom59@yahoo.com  or ring 07754792988. Many thanks.

For Sale

VASCO - Hunter Liberty 23 for sale

   £1850 ono. Contact  Jeremy Ellis 01380 831469  ellisjez@gmail.com

Hunter Liberty 23 for sale
   £1850 ono. Contact  Jeremy Ellis 01380 831469  ellisjez@gmail.com

 
Vasco, a Hunter Liberty 23 is for sale due to change in circumstances. Vasco is essentially a sound, well-built and equipped boat, incorporating many of the good ideas and enhancements generated by the class association over the years but now in need of TLC, including cosmetic refurbishment, antifouling, running rigging. 
Vasco is well known and documented within the Hunter Liberty and Minstrel Owners Association (HLMOA), who are well worth joining for the mine of information on the class they provide to members. 

She comes with:

Spray hood
Tohatsu 6HP outboard engine, low hours not run-in yet
Batteries with solar panel and engine charging, 
Autohelm,
VHF
Fish finder sonar
Cabin and Navigation lights
Portable marine sea toilet with holding tank / pump-out,
Gas stove
Good sails

Internal refurbishment has been started but requires completing. She has sound deckhead / cabin top / Ceiling foam backed vinyl lining, but the hull side lining has been removed for replacement. The internal shelving, instrument and cooker mounts have been removed for refurbishment.
All removed parts are in under cover storage, along with the tiller and rudder assembly.  
Currently lying ashore at Wareham, Vasco is a promising opportunity for anyone willing and able to invest the time and love to personalize her to their own tastes. Enquiries are welcome at any time for more information, photos or to arrange viewings.

Kind regards
Jeremy

For Sale

Liberty Hunter 22 with trailer for sale

   £5500 ono. Contact  James Connolly 01432 274074  San_623@hotmail.com

For Sale

£5,500 ono. Contact James Connolly 07790 574503 – san_623@hotmail.com

Lia~Bility, a dual rigged sloop is for sale due to health issues (the owner’s not the boats!)

 

Hunter Liberty 22 for sale for £5,500. Currently on her trailer on hard standing in Hereford.

This Liberty 22 is on an excellent SBS 2000 (2 tonne) four-wheel trailer with new winch and nylon strap. An extension tow bar has been fitted with stops that add progressively extended tow connections of plus 0.55 metres, 1.15 metres, 2.00 metres, 2.5 metres, and 3 metres. The first two extensions cover most situations you are likely to meet and the longest would probably only ever be needed on a beach launch. The extension pole makes launch and recovery of the Liberty as easy as my .5 tonne Sailfish 18 was as the boat floats all the way into position on the trailer and there is no pull of dead weight.

The original masts and sails are in good order, the mizzen having been newly sleeved for one metre either side of the join, forming a solid, tight fitting 2 metre union. Rivets on all fittings were drilled out and the fittings re-riveted on completion. I was very pleased with the job, and only disappointed that I will never enjoy the benefit of it!

Lia~Bility comes with a second pair of very good sails. The main is virtually new, 2 or 3 outings, and the mizzen is in good condition. The main is by Jeckells and is dark red, the mizzen is a Crusader and is white. There is another set of Liberty sails with the Gunther/Sprit rig, See below.

Lia~bility has been fitted out for inland cruising as a Gunther/ Sprit rigged sloop. In fact the configuration remains the same as the original using the standard Liberty sails and the change has been affected without compromising the boat in any way and the two rigs can be interchanged easily.

The Gunther part of the rig is pretty much the way the standard Gunther is, a shorter, or stub, mast, main 17’ 3”  (5.18 m), mizzen (15’ 9” (4.87 m) is fitted to the boat and a Gunther yard run up the mast thru Gunther irons (stainless steel) which pulls the sail into its  Bermuda shape, and the boat sail just as with the original rig. Lia~Bility can pass under any bridge, at summer levels, from Gloucester to Stourport on the Severn with the Gunther rig dropped, but she cannot sail with the Gunther down; and this is where the sprit comes into service. The Sprit attaches to the leach of the sail at a point opposite the mast head and lifts the sail out when the snotter is tightened at a point on the mast lower down, this makes a square sail, and away you sail, with the air draft reduced to a maximum of 17’ 3” main sail. The system works very well on rivers bridges that allow plus 18’ clearance. All raising and lowering of the Gunther is done from the cockpit.

In situations where the air draft is too low to allow passage to the 17’ 9” rig the masts can be lowered from the cockpit onto the cabin roof which reduces the air draft to about 8’ (2.4 m). The Gunther/Sprit rig is available as a separate purchase.

Presently the boat is laid up for two berths that can convert to a large double. The upholstery is in good order and the cabin is clean and tidy. There is a solar fed leisure battery for lights, etc. The galley has a Swedish stainless steel, methylated spirit two hob stove, which insurers prefer to bottle gas. For heating there is a Hampshire solid fuel Heater. Ship to shore communication is by a Standard Horizon Explorer GX1700E  radio gps.

Although in good general condition Lia~Bility would benefit from a hull repaint and needs anti-fouling.

Lia~Bility also comes with a Mariner 6 hp four stroke outboard which I have recently spent £600 restoring. The thinking behind this was that it made more sense to me to restore an engine I knew to be good than to invest £800 or so on another I didn’t know. I spent £345 on the work on the engine and £250 on the new gear box. All the bills are available.

I have also spent £500 + on improvements to boat and trailer, including the extension tow bar. It was all intended for me, but alas,  c'est la vie!

I am advertising Lia~Bility on the club site before offering her to a broader market, but not for long!

Contact me at any time for more information and more photos.

The boat is pretty well ready to sail in either rig but would benefit from a coat of paint to the hull, and anti-fouling or hull blacking to the underside. The interior is in good shape, see photos.

Kind regards,

James

 

Wanted

Wanted, Toplac Squall Blue Paint 923

   £ ono. Contact  James Connolly 01432 274074  San_623@hotmail.com

Does the Club still have for sale tins of Toplac paint, I think it was Toplac Squall Blue 923?? I'm not sure that this is the place to ask but I'm lost with computers!

Wanted

Trailer wanted

   £ ono. Contact  Tim and Ginny Faulkner  Tim@homeoak.co.uk

Please call me or email if you have one to sell

tim@homeoak.co.uk

07901 563745

Wanted

Road trailer

   £ ono. Contact  craig turnbull  craigturnbull12@aol.com

Looking for a road trailer for a Liberty 22 if anyone has one for sale.