BoatsKells Corp. Coaster 23

Kells Corp. Coaster 23

Masthead Sloop · Fin (Shoal Draft) · First built 1971

A fixed-keel variant of the Kells 23, this trailerable masthead sloop offers a shallow 0.71m draft for coastal cruising

Designed by Paul A. Lindh.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin (Shoal Draft)

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

TrailerableBeam 2.39 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,066 kg of hull, so roughly 1,650 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 1,066 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draft shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draftDraws 0.71 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 11 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 11
CoastalBluewater

At 2.36 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.36
LightHeavy

126 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 126
TenderStiff

32% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 32%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Lighter than ~80% of boats her size on file
  • Draws less than ~94% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1061 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
31.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
Displacement / length
126.3
Comfort ratio
11.2
Capsize screening
2.36
Hull speed
6.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
567
Hull
Hull type
Fin (shoal draft)
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1971
Designer
Paul A. Lindh
Builder
Kells Corp

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

J J/77.04 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA 2024 fractional sloop with a shallow 1.16m draft and a high 23.55 sail-area-to-displacement ratio for responsive daysailing
J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/226.86 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio designed for competitive one-design racing
Sirius 7277.27 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA development of the Sirius 24, this fractional sloop features a fin keel with skeg-mounted rudder for balanced handling
Bavaria Yachts 6066.50 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA lightweight 6.5-meter fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited coastal sailing
J Boats J/706.93 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop designed by Alan Johnstone, with over 1,100 units delivered for one-design racing
J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/247.32 mSame hull family0.4 m longerThe world's most popular one-design keelboat, featuring a light 1406kg displacement for responsive, agile handling

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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