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Grampian 23
Designer: Alex Mcgruer  ·  Builder: Grampian Marine Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Grampian 23

Built between 1971 and 1976 by Canada's Grampian Marine Ltd., this compact cruiser represents an era when trailerable sailboats prioritized versatility over pure performance. Designer Alex Mcgruer created a practical coastal cruiser that could handle both weekend adventures and seasonal sailing programs. The swing keel configuration is this boat's defining characteristic, retracting to allow launching from most boat ramps while providing the stability needed for confident sailing. With a displacement of 3,200 pounds and moderate ballast ratio, the design strikes a reasonable balance between stability and transportability. The masthead sloop rig delivers 241 square feet of working sail area, providing adequate power for coastal conditions without overwhelming novice sailors. At 23.25 feet overall with an 8-foot beam, the hull offers respectable interior volume for weekend cruising while remaining manageable for a small crew. The fiberglass construction has proven durable over the decades, with many examples still actively sailing. The comfort ratio of 14.33 suggests a relatively quick motion in waves, typical of lighter displacement designs, while the capsize screening value of 2.17 indicates suitability for protected waters and moderate coastal sailing rather than extended offshore passages. With 450 hulls produced during its five-year run, the Grampian 23 developed a loyal following among sailors seeking an affordable, trailerable cruiser capable of genuine sailing performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.25 ft / 7.09 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.93 ft / 6.38 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Min Draft 2.36 ft / 0.72 m
Displacement 3,200.00 lb / 1,451 kg
Ballast 1,033.00 lb / 469 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 241.00 ft² / 22.39 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alex McGruer
Builder Grampian Marine Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1971
Last Built 1976
Number Built 450
Associations Grampian Owners Marina
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 267
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
 17.8
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
 32.28
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
 155.81
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
 14.33
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
 2.17
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. 6.13 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
 3.4
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. 598.28 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. 17.8
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 26.40 ft / 8.05 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.90 ft / 3.02 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 23.70 ft / 7.22 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.30 ft / 2.83 m
SA Fore 130.68 ft² / 12.14 m²
SA Main 110.21 ft² / 10.24 m²
SA Total (100%) 240.89 ft² / 22.38 m²
Est. Forestay Length 28.20 ft / 8.60 m
Mast Height (DWL) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
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