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Gulf Coast 23
Designer: Martin Bludworth  ·  Builder: Gulf Coast Sailboats  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Gulf Coast 23

Built during the 1970s, this compact sailboat emerged from the Gulf Coast region as a practical daysailer and weekend cruiser designed for accessible sailing adventures. Despite limited documentation surviving from this era, the Gulf Coast 23 represents the period's emphasis on straightforward, no-nonsense boat design that prioritized functionality over flash. The boat's modest dimensions make it well-suited for coastal sailing, protected waters, and daysailing excursions. Its size suggests comfortable handling for small crews while offering enough space for basic overnight accommodations. Like many boats from this vintage, the Gulf Coast 23 likely features a simple interior layout focused on essentials rather than luxury amenities. Regional builders of this period typically emphasized sturdy construction methods and practical sailing characteristics, making these boats appealing to sailors seeking reliable performance without excessive complexity. The Gulf Coast 23 would appeal most to sailors interested in uncomplicated coastal cruising, sailing instruction, or those seeking an affordable entry into sailboat ownership. While not widely known today, boats from this era often provide solid value for sailors prioritizing sailing experience over modern conveniences, representing an authentic connection to traditional small-boat sailing culture.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
Beam 7.33 ft / 2.23 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 3.70 ft / 1.13 m
Displacement 1,900.00 lb / 862 kg
Ballast 500.00 lb / 227 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 212.00 ft² / 19.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Martin Bludworth
Builder Gulf Coast Sailboats
First Built 1969
Last Built 1978
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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
22.16
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
10.79
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
2.37
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. 5.61
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
3.92
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. 458.34
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 24.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 22.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.0
SA Fore 101.68
SA Main 110.0
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