The Pearson 23C is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.0′, the Pearson 23C tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.0′ LWL = 6.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
240s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
16.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
167
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
13.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.22
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
572lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
13.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.22
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 23C sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Merit 23
201s/nm
San Juan 23
236s/nm
Pearson 23C
240s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Pearson 23
240s/nm
Spirit 23
240s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.0 kts),
SA/D (16.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Pearson 23C — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 23C.
|
Pearson 23C |
Com-Pac 23/Iv |
Merit 23 |
Pearson 23 |
San Juan 23 |
Spirit 23 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
| LWL |
20.0 |
20.0 |
19.0 |
20.0 |
20.3 |
20.0 |
| Beam |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.9 |
| Displacement |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
— |
1 |
960 |
800 |
| Sail Area |
210 |
195 |
— |
238 |
— |
215 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
240 |
— |
201 |
240 |
236 |
240 |
| SA/Disp |
16.2 |
14.7 |
— |
16.6 |
— |
17.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
35.5 |
— |
37.1 |
35.6 |
28.6 |
| Comfort |
13.9 |
14.3 |
— |
16.3 |
— |
13.2 |
| Capsize |
2.22 |
2.20 |
— |
2.11 |
— |
2.25 |
| Hull Speed |
6.0 |
6.0 |
— |
6.0 |
— |
6.0 |