BoatsKells 23

Kells 23

Fractional Sloop · Swing Keel · 1971–1980

A fractional-rigged swing-keel sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited light-air performance

Designed by Paul A. Lindh.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Swing Keel

Is it for you?

Character

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

TrailerableBeam 2.36 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 898 kg of hull, so roughly 1,500 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 898 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 0.28 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 10 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 10
CoastalBluewater

At 2.47 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.47
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 152
EasygoingPowered-up

20.3 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 20.3
TenderStiff

27% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 27%

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

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
26.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
20.3
Displacement / length
151.6
Comfort ratio
10.3
Capsize screening
2.47
Hull speed
5.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
498
Hull
Hull type
Swing Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Iron
Production
Years built
1971–1980
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.

Dufour Yachts T66.15 mSame hull family0.7 m shorterA lightweight 800kg fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air
Catalina Yachts 227.26 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA swing-keel masthead sloop with 15,000 units sold, offering a highly versatile and trailerable coastal cruiser
Marshall Marine Corporation Sanderling5.54 mSame hull family1.3 m shorterA gaff-rigged catboat based on a 1941 design, featuring a shallow-draft keel-centerboard hull for versatile day sailing
Cal Boats 247.43 mSame hull family0.6 m longerThe inaugural Jensen Marine Cal model, this fractional keel-centerboard sloop was built for shoal-water versatility
O'day 23-1 (Lift Top)7.01 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA popular C. Raymond Hunt-designed masthead sloop featuring a unique lift-top coach roof for added cabin headroom

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.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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