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Marlin Heritage 23
Designer: Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Cape Cod Shipbuilding (Usa)  ·  First built: 1958
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About the Marlin Heritage 23

Heritage Yachts designed the Marlin 23 as a traditional small cruiser that captures classic sailing aesthetics in a manageable package. This compact sailboat reflects the builder's commitment to time-tested design principles, featuring proportions and styling cues that harken back to earlier generations of coastal cruising yachts. Built with weekend cruising and daysailing in mind, the Marlin Heritage 23 offers an ideal introduction to cruising for sailors transitioning from dinghies or those seeking a smaller, more intimate sailing experience. Her modest size makes her well-suited for protected waters, coastal exploration, and small harbor adventures where larger vessels might feel cumbersome. The design emphasizes seaworthiness and comfort over outright speed, with a focus on creating a stable platform for relaxed sailing. Traditional appointments and classic lines give the boat considerable character, while her compact dimensions keep maintenance requirements reasonable for individual owners. This Heritage model represents the builder's philosophy of combining proven design elements with practical cruising amenities. For sailors who appreciate traditional styling and seek a boat capable of genuine short-term cruising adventures, the Marlin Heritage 23 offers an attractive blend of classic appeal and functional sailing capability in coastal environments.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.92 ft / 5.16 m
Beam 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Max Draft 3.68 ft / 1.12 m
Displacement 3,845.00 lb / 1,744 kg
Ballast 1,400.00 lb / 635 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Herreshoff
Builder Cape Cod Shipbuilding (USA)
First Built 1958
Number Built 160
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
36.41
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
354.36
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. 2.75 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.65
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 270.00 ft² / 25.08 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 15
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