BoatsSpirit 23

Spirit 23

Masthead Sloop · Keel/centreboard · 1978–1981

Originally the North American 23, this Robert Finch-designed masthead sloop features a keel-centerboard hull for shoal water

Designed by Robert Finch, built by Glastron.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.

Is it for you?

Character

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

TrailerableBeam 2.41 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,270 kg of hull, so roughly 1,850 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Shoal draftDraws 0.61 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 13 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 13
CoastalBluewater

2.25 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.25
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 156
EasygoingPowered-up

17.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 17.4
TenderStiff

29% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 29%

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
28.6%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.4
Displacement / length
156.3
Comfort ratio
13.2
Capsize screening
2.25
Hull speed
6.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
566
Hull
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1978–1981
Designer
Robert Finch
Builder
Glastron

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.

Cal Boats 247.43 mSame hull family0.4 m longerThe inaugural Jensen Marine Cal model, this fractional keel-centerboard sloop was built for shoal-water versatility
Chrysler Marine 226.71 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 6.7-metre masthead sloop produced as the C-22 and T-22 Sandpiper, featuring a swing keel for shallow-water access
Catalina Yachts 227.26 mSame hull family0.3 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 family1.5 m shorterA gaff-rigged catboat based on a 1941 design, featuring a shallow-draft keel-centerboard hull for versatile day sailing
Macgregor 26X7.87 mSame hull family0.9 m longerA water-ballasted sail-power hybrid designed for versatile coastal cruising and easy trailering
Dufour Yachts T66.15 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA lightweight 800kg fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air

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

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