The Br 23 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.0′, the Br 23 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.0′ LWL = 6.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
60.4
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
25.0%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
37
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
3.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.34
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
629lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
3.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
3.34
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Br 23 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Kirby 23
180s/nm
Sonic 23
227s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.2 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (60.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Br 23 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–14 kts
14–22 kts
22+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–14 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
14–22 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
22+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Br 23.
|
Br 23 |
Jaguar 23 Tk |
Kirby 23 |
Quarter Ton Class |
Sonar |
Sonic 23 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
| LWL |
22.0 |
20.0 |
18.8 |
18.0 |
19.9 |
20.0 |
| Beam |
8.0 |
8.2 |
7.8 |
8.5 |
7.8 |
7.6 |
| Displacement |
880 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
| Ballast |
220 |
— |
900 |
1 |
930 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
346 |
254 |
271 |
270 |
265 |
242 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
180 |
— |
— |
227 |
| SA/Disp |
60.4 |
18.8 |
24.3 |
20.8 |
25.9 |
17.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
25.0 |
— |
— |
40.0 |
44.3 |
44.1 |
| Comfort |
3.8 |
14.4 |
12.1 |
13.7 |
10.0 |
16.9 |
| Capsize |
3.34 |
2.22 |
2.32 |
2.36 |
2.45 |
2.02 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.0 |
5.8 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
6.0 |