Hunter Liberty Minstrel Association

"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

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 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:

Hunter Liberty 22 & 23
Hunter Minstrel

Some of HLMOA's activities and information:

Planned events, get togethers and rallies around the country
Detailed designs of owners boat modifications
Advice on how to solve those difficult maintenance issues

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

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

LIBERTY 23 WITH 8HP OUTBOARD AND TRAILER

£3500.00 ono. Contact Peter Woodward 07929307078 son inUK pmawoodward@yahoo.com

Finally selling my Liberty 23, which is in PADSTOW Cornwall on an outer harbour drying mooring (possibly transferrable). Solid boat but needs cosmetic attention. Original interior and good cushions, but headliner needs re-sticking, and interior needs a good clean and polish. Yamaha 8C outboard old but serviced by Rock Marine last year, reliable and pushes boat along very well. Aluminium masts and booms (not wood). Original tan sails in good condition with a few pinholes. Rebuilt swing rudder teak and stainless steel, seen on one of the pictures when I was half way through cleaning the hull last year! Home built soundproofed outboard box, bilge pump, Porta-potti, and unused capped through hull fitting. Anchor and chain, cushions, fenders etc. Wired for VHF but not present. Original trailer with launch trolley which was fully rebuilt with new axle and brakes and serviced five years ago, but never used since. Full kit and mast supports for trailering. A fully working boat. With a bit of work, "Rockabillie" could be beautiful.

I will be in Padstow Saturday August 9 to Friday August 15 ONLY. If I don't sell it then, I won't sell it, as I now live abroad most of the time. I will advertise it elsewhere for 4000, but 3500 is what I will accept on this site. I am not going lower, so please be sure you are seriously interested before coming down to Cornwall, and bring cash. You will need a vehicle that can tow, unless you want to keep her down in beautiful Padstow - if so, I will contact the Harbou Master on your behalf..

I am on pmawoodward@yahoo.com, or 001 310 736 0257.

I don't have any more pics - wish I did.

Thank you!

Peter