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Islander 23 Crealock
Designer: William Crealock  ·  Builder: Wayfarer Yacht Corp.  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Islander 23 Crealock

Designed by the renowned W.I.B. Crealock, this compact trailer-sailer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat cruising. Crealock's reputation for creating seaworthy designs with classic proportions carries through to this pocket cruiser, which bridges the gap between daysailing and weekend cruising capabilities. Built during Islander's production years, the Islander 23 Crealock features the designer's characteristic attention to hull form and stability. The boat's moderate displacement and well-balanced sail plan make it suitable for coastal cruising and protected waters, while its trailerable size opens up launching opportunities at various locations. The design emphasizes seaworthiness over pure speed, typical of Crealock's philosophy that prioritized safety and comfort. The cockpit and cabin arrangement provide reasonable accommodations for weekend getaways, though space remains at a premium given the compact dimensions. For sailors seeking an entry point into cruising or those wanting a manageable boat for coastal exploration, this model offers Crealock's proven design principles in a smaller package. The boat appeals to those who appreciate traditional sailing characteristics and don't mind sacrificing some interior volume for better sailing qualities and easier handling.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 22.92 ft / 6.99 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.25 ft / 6.17 m
Beam 7.75 ft / 2.36 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Min Draft 1.25 ft / 0.38 m
Displacement 1,400.00 lb / 635 kg
Ballast 380.00 lb / 172 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 219.00 ft² / 20.35 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Crealock
Builder Wayfarer Yacht Corp.
First Built 1969
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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
28.06
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
6.72
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
2.77
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. 6.03
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
6.6
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. 560.75
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 21.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.08
P (Mainsail Luff) 23.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.33
SA Fore 97.61
SA Main 121.38
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