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Br 23
Designer: Lars Bergstrom & Sven Ridder  ·  Builder: Tb-Yacht (Swe)  ·  First built: 1992
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About the Br 23

Designed by the Swedish duo Lars Bergstrom and Sven Ridder, this compact 23-footer represents thoughtful Scandinavian engineering focused on versatility and performance. Built by Tb-Yacht in Sweden starting in 1992, the Br 23 features a distinctive lifting keel system that transforms this boat from a capable coastal cruiser to a shoal-water explorer at the touch of a lever. The boat's impressive sail area of 346 square feet paired with a relatively light 880-pound displacement creates a spirited performer that rewards skilled sailing. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 60.39, this is clearly a boat designed to move in light air, making it particularly appealing for inland waters and coastal areas where winds can be fickle. The lifting keel reduces draft significantly when retracted, opening up shallow anchorages and launch ramp access that would be impossible for fixed-keel boats of similar size. The fiberglass construction and B&R rig configuration suggest a focus on durability and ease of handling. While the comfort ratio of 3.82 indicates this isn't designed for extended offshore passages, the Br 23 excels as a weekend cruiser and daysailer for couples or small families who value both performance and practical versatility in their sailing adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Min Draft 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
Displacement 880.00 lb / 399 kg
Ballast 220.00 lb / 100 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 346.00 ft² / 32.14 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type B&R
Construction FG
Designer Lars Bergstrom & Sven Ridder
Builder TB-Yacht (SWE)
First Built 1992
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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
60.39
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
25
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
36.89
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
3.82
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
3.34
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. 6.29 kn
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. 628.87 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Kirby 23, Quarter Ton Class, Sonic 23

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Br 23 ★
23.0 ft
Kirby 23
23.0 ft
Quarter Ton Class
23.0 ft
Sonic 23
23.0 ft
LWL
Br 23 ★
22.0 ft
Kirby 23
18.8 ft
Quarter Ton Class
18.0 ft
Sonic 23
20.0 ft
Beam
Br 23 ★
8.0 ft
Kirby 23
7.8 ft
Quarter Ton Class
8.5 ft
Sonic 23
7.6 ft
Displacement
Br 23 ★
880 lbs
Kirby 23
2 lbs
Quarter Ton Class
3 lbs
Sonic 23
3 lbs
Ballast
Br 23 ★
220 lbs
Kirby 23
900 lbs
Quarter Ton Class
1 lbs
Sonic 23
1 lbs
Sail Area
Br 23 ★
346 sq ft
Kirby 23
271 sq ft
Quarter Ton Class
270 sq ft
Sonic 23
242 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Br 23 ★
Kirby 23
180 s/nm
Quarter Ton Class
Sonic 23
227 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Br 23 ★
60.4
Kirby 23
24.3
Quarter Ton Class
20.8
Sonic 23
17.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Br 23 ★
25.0 %
Kirby 23
Quarter Ton Class
40.0 %
Sonic 23
44.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Br 23 ★
3.8
Kirby 23
12.1
Quarter Ton Class
13.7
Sonic 23
16.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Br 23 ★
3.34
Kirby 23
2.32
Quarter Ton Class
2.36
Sonic 23
2.02
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Br 23 ★
36
Kirby 23
Quarter Ton Class
229
Sonic 23
189
Hull Speed
Br 23 ★
6.3 kts
Kirby 23
5.8 kts
Quarter Ton Class
5.7 kts
Sonic 23
6.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Br 23 ★
Kirby 23
4.1
Quarter Ton Class
Sonic 23
2.9
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