Back to Search
Kells 23
Designer: Paul A. Lindh  ·  Builder: Kells Corp. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1971
+ Add to Compare
About the Kells 23

Designed by Paul A. Lindh and built by Kells Corporation from 1971 to 1980, this 23-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat cruising with its distinctive swing keel configuration. The swing keel design allows the draft to be reduced from its full 5-foot depth, making the boat versatile for both deeper waters and shallow anchorages—a significant advantage for coastal cruising and gunkholing. With a displacement of 1,980 pounds and moderate ballast ratio, the Kells 23 strikes a balance between stability and performance. The fractional sloop rig provides good sail handling characteristics, while the fiberglass construction with balsa-cored deck offers a solid, lightweight structure typical of quality 1970s boatbuilding. The boat's comfort ratio of 10.32 suggests a relatively swift motion in a seaway, making it better suited for day sailing and weekend coastal cruising rather than extended offshore passages. The capsize screening formula of 2.47 indicates reasonable stability for coastal waters. At 22.58 feet overall with an 18-foot waterline, this design maximizes sailing length while remaining trailerable, appealing to sailors seeking adventure without marina dependency. The Kells 23 represents solid value for sailors wanting a capable small cruiser with shallow-water versatility.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 22.58 ft / 6.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
Beam 7.75 ft / 2.36 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 0.92 ft / 0.28 m
Displacement 1,980.00 lb / 898 kg
Ballast 525.00 lb / 238 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 198.00 ft² / 18.39 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG w/balsa cored deck
Designer Paul A. Lindh
Builder Kells Corp. (USA)
First Built 1971
Last Built 1980
Related Sailboats Coronado 23 Cb · Venture Of Newport 23 · Tanzer 22 Cb · Py 23 Paceship · Aquarius 23
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 270
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
 20.14
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
 26.52
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
 151.57
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
 10.32
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
 2.47
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. 5.69 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
 3.8
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. 498.45 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. 20.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 22.60 ft / 6.89 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.80 ft / 2.68 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
SA Fore 99.44 ft² / 9.24 m²
SA Main 99.75 ft² / 9.27 m²
SA Total (100%) 199.19 ft² / 18.51 m²
Est. Forestay Length 24.25 ft / 7.39 m
How It Compares

vs. Aquarius 23, Coronado 23 Cb, Py 23 Paceship, Tanzer 22 Cb, Venture Of Newport 23

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kells 23 ★
22.6 ft
Aquarius 23
22.7 ft
Coronado 23 Cb
22.6 ft
Py 23 Paceship
22.6 ft
Tanzer 22 Cb
22.5 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
22.6 ft
LWL
Kells 23 ★
18.0 ft
Aquarius 23
21.2 ft
Coronado 23 Cb
20.1 ft
Py 23 Paceship
19.8 ft
Tanzer 22 Cb
19.8 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
19.5 ft
Beam
Kells 23 ★
7.8 ft
Aquarius 23
7.9 ft
Coronado 23 Cb
7.8 ft
Py 23 Paceship
8.0 ft
Tanzer 22 Cb
7.8 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
7.2 ft
Displacement
Kells 23 ★
1 lbs
Aquarius 23
2 lbs
Coronado 23 Cb
2 lbs
Py 23 Paceship
2 lbs
Tanzer 22 Cb
3 lbs
Venture Of Newport 23
2 lbs
Ballast
Kells 23 ★
525 lbs
Aquarius 23
815 lbs
Coronado 23 Cb
810 lbs
Py 23 Paceship
945 lbs
Tanzer 22 Cb
1 lbs
Venture Of Newport 23
600 lbs
Sail Area
Kells 23 ★
198 sq ft
Aquarius 23
218 sq ft
Coronado 23 Cb
240 sq ft
Py 23 Paceship
225 sq ft
Tanzer 22 Cb
225 sq ft
Venture Of Newport 23
195 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Kells 23 ★
270 s/nm
Aquarius 23
276 s/nm
Coronado 23 Cb
—
Py 23 Paceship
—
Tanzer 22 Cb
—
Venture Of Newport 23
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kells 23 ★
20.1
Aquarius 23
20.2
Coronado 23 Cb
21.0
Py 23 Paceship
19.8
Tanzer 22 Cb
17.0
Venture Of Newport 23
19.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Kells 23 ★
26.5 %
Aquarius 23
35.8 %
Coronado 23 Cb
32.6 %
Py 23 Paceship
—
Tanzer 22 Cb
48.4 %
Venture Of Newport 23
30.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kells 23 ★
10.3
Aquarius 23
10.4
Coronado 23 Cb
12.1
Py 23 Paceship
11.6
Tanzer 22 Cb
15.0
Venture Of Newport 23
11.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kells 23 ★
2.47
Aquarius 23
2.41
Coronado 23 Cb
2.29
Py 23 Paceship
2.37
Tanzer 22 Cb
2.15
Venture Of Newport 23
2.28
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Kells 23 ★
151
Aquarius 23
107
Coronado 23 Cb
137
Py 23 Paceship
—
Tanzer 22 Cb
179
Venture Of Newport 23
120
Hull Speed
Kells 23 ★
5.7 kts
Aquarius 23
6.2 kts
Coronado 23 Cb
6.0 kts
Py 23 Paceship
6.0 kts
Tanzer 22 Cb
6.0 kts
Venture Of Newport 23
5.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kells 23 ★
3.8
Aquarius 23
4.6
Coronado 23 Cb
4.2
Py 23 Paceship
3.9
Tanzer 22 Cb
3.0
Venture Of Newport 23
5.1
Find a Kells 23 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace