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Ajax Lee
Designer: Oliver Lee  ·  Builder: Halmatic (Uk)  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Ajax Lee

Designed by Oliver Lee and built by the British yard Halmatic, this compact 23-foot sailboat represents a brief but noteworthy chapter in 1960s yacht design. With only 55 hulls produced between 1966 and 1968, the Ajax Lee has achieved something of a cult status among enthusiasts of classic British sailing craft. The boat's fractional sloop rig and moderate sail area make it well-suited for coastal cruising and day sailing, while the fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides a good balance of performance and directional stability. At 1,900 pounds displacement, she's relatively light for her length, contributing to spirited sailing characteristics in moderate conditions. The Ajax Lee's comfort ratio of 12.09 indicates a boat that prioritizes performance over heavy-weather comfort, making her ideal for weekend adventures rather than extended offshore passages. Her capsize screening value suggests she's best kept in protected waters and coastal environments where her nimble handling can be fully appreciated. For sailors seeking a distinctive classic with British pedigree, the Ajax Lee offers an opportunity to own a piece of 1960s sailing history, though prospective buyers should be prepared for the maintenance challenges that come with any fifty-plus-year-old fiberglass vessel.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.25 ft / 7.09 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.16 ft / 5.84 m
Beam 6.42 ft / 1.96 m
Max Draft 3.67 ft / 1.12 m
Displacement 1,900.00 lb / 862 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 188.00 ft² / 17.47 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Oliver Lee
Builder Halmatic (UK)
First Built 1966
Last Built 1968
Number Built 55
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.65
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
120.59
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
12.09
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.08
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.87 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
4.25
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 439.52 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.6
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.67 ft / 2.34 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
SA Fore 74.78 ft² / 6.95 m²
SA Main 112.75 ft² / 10.47 m²
SA Total (100%) 187.53 ft² / 17.42 m²
Est. Forestay Length 20.95 ft / 6.39 m
How It Compares

vs. Buccaneer Stadt, Lm 23, Tempest 23 Oday

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ajax Lee ★
23.3 ft
Buccaneer Stadt
23.3 ft
Lm 23
23.3 ft
Tempest 23 Oday
23.2 ft
LWL
Ajax Lee ★
19.2 ft
Buccaneer Stadt
18.2 ft
Lm 23
20.5 ft
Tempest 23 Oday
17.0 ft
Beam
Ajax Lee ★
6.4 ft
Buccaneer Stadt
7.5 ft
Lm 23
7.9 ft
Tempest 23 Oday
7.7 ft
Displacement
Ajax Lee ★
1 lbs
Buccaneer Stadt
2 lbs
Lm 23
4 lbs
Tempest 23 Oday
3 lbs
Ballast
Ajax Lee ★
Buccaneer Stadt
Lm 23
1 lbs
Tempest 23 Oday
1 lbs
Sail Area
Ajax Lee ★
188 sq ft
Buccaneer Stadt
278 sq ft
Lm 23
247 sq ft
Tempest 23 Oday
228 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ajax Lee ★
19.7
Buccaneer Stadt
24.4
Lm 23
14.7
Tempest 23 Oday
17.6
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ajax Lee ★
12.1
Buccaneer Stadt
13.1
Lm 23
20.4
Tempest 23 Oday
16.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ajax Lee ★
2.08
Buccaneer Stadt
2.24
Lm 23
1.92
Tempest 23 Oday
2.13
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Ajax Lee ★
120
Buccaneer Stadt
183
Lm 23
Tempest 23 Oday
Hull Speed
Ajax Lee ★
5.9 kts
Buccaneer Stadt
5.7 kts
Lm 23
6.1 kts
Tempest 23 Oday
5.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Ajax Lee ★
4.3
Buccaneer Stadt
Lm 23
Tempest 23 Oday
2.0
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