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Fun 23
Designer: Joubert & Nivelt  ·  Builder: Jeanneau (Fra)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Fun 23

Designed by the renowned French naval architects Joubert & Nivelt and built by Jeanneau beginning in 1982, this compact 23-footer represents classic French approach to accessible sailing. The Fun 23's swing keel configuration makes it particularly versatile for coastal cruising and exploring shallow waters, while still maintaining respectable sailing performance with its fractional sloop rig. At 1,875 pounds displacement with 760 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance for its size. The swing keel design allows draft reduction for beaching or shallow anchorages, expanding cruising possibilities significantly. With 243 square feet of sail area driving the lightweight hull, the Fun 23 delivers spirited performance in moderate conditions. The boat's comfort ratio of 9.29 indicates a relatively quick motion at sea, typical of lighter displacement designs, while the capsize screening formula of 2.6 suggests reasonable stability for coastal waters. Fiberglass construction ensures durability with minimal maintenance requirements. Best suited for day sailing, weekend coastal cruising, and sailing instruction, the Fun 23 appeals to sailors seeking an affordable entry into keelboat sailing or those wanting a manageable boat for exploring protected waters and shallow cruising grounds.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.33 ft / 7.11 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.92 ft / 5.46 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Min Draft 2.33 ft / 0.71 m
Displacement 1,875.00 lb / 850 kg
Ballast 760.00 lb / 345 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 243.00 ft² / 22.58 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Joubert & Nivelt
Builder Jeanneau (FRA)
First Built 1982
Associations Fun Class International
Owner Reviews

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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
25.63
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
40.53
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
145.46
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
9.29
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
2.6
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. 5.67 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
4.57
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. 512.24 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. 25.63
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 22.20 ft / 6.77 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.70 ft / 2.65 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 27.90 ft / 8.50 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
SA Fore 96.57 ft² / 8.97 m²
SA Main 146.48 ft² / 13.61 m²
SA Total (100%) 243.05 ft² / 22.58 m²
Est. Forestay Length 23.84 ft / 7.27 m
How It Compares

vs. Balboa 24, Blazer 23 Kirby, First 235 Sk Beneteau, Laguna 24S, Santana 2023A

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Fun 23 ★
23.3 ft
Balboa 24
23.6 ft
Blazer 23 Kirby
23.0 ft
First 235 Sk Beneteau
23.3 ft
Laguna 24S
23.6 ft
Santana 2023A
23.3 ft
LWL
Fun 23 ★
17.9 ft
Balboa 24
20.0 ft
Blazer 23 Kirby
18.8 ft
First 235 Sk Beneteau
20.3 ft
Laguna 24S
20.0 ft
Santana 2023A
20.6 ft
Beam
Fun 23 ★
8.0 ft
Balboa 24
8.3 ft
Blazer 23 Kirby
7.9 ft
First 235 Sk Beneteau
8.2 ft
Laguna 24S
8.3 ft
Santana 2023A
8.5 ft
Displacement
Fun 23 ★
1 lbs
Balboa 24
2 lbs
Blazer 23 Kirby
2 lbs
First 235 Sk Beneteau
2 lbs
Laguna 24S
2 lbs
Santana 2023A
2 lbs
Ballast
Fun 23 ★
760 lbs
Balboa 24
900 lbs
Blazer 23 Kirby
900 lbs
First 235 Sk Beneteau
750 lbs
Laguna 24S
900 lbs
Santana 2023A
1 lbs
Sail Area
Fun 23 ★
243 sq ft
Balboa 24
220 sq ft
Blazer 23 Kirby
First 235 Sk Beneteau
249 sq ft
Laguna 24S
220 sq ft
Santana 2023A
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Fun 23 ★
25.6
Balboa 24
18.7
Blazer 23 Kirby
First 235 Sk Beneteau
20.7
Laguna 24S
18.7
Santana 2023A
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Fun 23 ★
40.5 %
Balboa 24
34.6 %
Blazer 23 Kirby
40.9 %
First 235 Sk Beneteau
27.9 %
Laguna 24S
34.6 %
Santana 2023A
45.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Fun 23 ★
9.3
Balboa 24
11.3
Blazer 23 Kirby
First 235 Sk Beneteau
12.0
Laguna 24S
11.3
Santana 2023A
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Fun 23 ★
2.60
Balboa 24
2.43
Blazer 23 Kirby
First 235 Sk Beneteau
2.35
Laguna 24S
2.43
Santana 2023A
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Fun 23 ★
145
Balboa 24
145
Blazer 23 Kirby
148
First 235 Sk Beneteau
144
Laguna 24S
145
Santana 2023A
146
Hull Speed
Fun 23 ★
5.7 kts
Balboa 24
6.0 kts
Blazer 23 Kirby
First 235 Sk Beneteau
6.0 kts
Laguna 24S
6.0 kts
Santana 2023A
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Fun 23 ★
4.6
Balboa 24
3.7
Blazer 23 Kirby
First 235 Sk Beneteau
4.0
Laguna 24S
3.7
Santana 2023A
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