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Seafarer 23
Designer: Mccurdy & Rhodes  ·  Builder: Seafarer Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Seafarer 23

Designed by the respected naval architecture firm McCurdy & Rhodes and launched in 1976, this compact cruiser represents solid American boatbuilding from Seafarer Yachts. At just under 23 feet overall with a 20-foot waterline, the Seafarer 23 packs impressive capability into a trailerable package that appeals to both new sailors and experienced skippers seeking a manageable coastal cruiser. The design features a modern fin keel configuration with 1,060 pounds of ballast providing stability, while the masthead sloop rig delivers 219 square feet of working sail area. With a displacement of 2,750 pounds and moderate beam of 7.58 feet, this boat strikes a practical balance between interior volume and sailing performance. The hull speed of nearly 6 knots makes for respectable progress under sail. Built with fiberglass construction, the Seafarer 23 earned a reputation for solid construction and seaworthiness that exceeds expectations for its size. The comfort ratio of 13.75 suggests quick, responsive motion suited to day sailing and weekend coastal cruising rather than extended offshore passages. This makes it an excellent choice for sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising or those wanting a easily-handled boat for exploring protected waters and nearby anchorages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 22.66 ft / 6.91 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Max Draft 3.25 ft / 0.99 m
Displacement 2,750.00 lb / 1,247 kg
Ballast 1,060.00 lb / 481 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 219.00 ft² / 20.35 m²
Headroom 5.08 ft / 1.55 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer McCurdy & Rhodes
Builder Seafarer Yachts (USA)
First Built 1976
Related Sailboats ["Seafarer 23 Challenger" · "Coronado 23" · "Venture Of Newport 23" · "Oday 23 2" · "Tanzer 22 Cb"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 260
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
 17.9
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
 38.55
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
 153.46
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
 13.75
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
 2.17
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. 5.99 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
 3.31
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. 541.68 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. 16.94
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.25 ft / 2.82 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 21.75 ft / 6.63 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
SA Fore 120.25 ft² / 11.17 m²
SA Main 87.00 ft² / 8.08 m²
SA Total (100%) 207.25 ft² / 19.25 m²
Est. Forestay Length 27.60 ft / 8.41 m
Mast Height (DWL) 28.92 ft / 8.81 m
How It Compares

vs. Coronado 23, Oday 23 2, Venture Of Newport 23

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Seafarer 23 ★
22.7 ft
Coronado 23
22.6 ft
Oday 23 2
22.8 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
22.6 ft
LWL
Seafarer 23 ★
20.0 ft
Coronado 23
20.1 ft
Oday 23 2
19.5 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
19.5 ft
Beam
Seafarer 23 ★
7.6 ft
Coronado 23
7.8 ft
Oday 23 2
7.9 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
7.2 ft
Displacement
Seafarer 23 ★
2 lbs
Coronado 23
2 lbs
Oday 23 2
3 lbs
Venture Of Newport 23
2 lbs
Ballast
Seafarer 23 ★
1 lbs
Coronado 23
1 lbs
Oday 23 2
1 lbs
Venture Of Newport 23
600 lbs
Sail Area
Seafarer 23 ★
219 sq ft
Coronado 23
237 sq ft
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
195 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Seafarer 23 ★
260 s/nm
Coronado 23
270 s/nm
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Seafarer 23 ★
17.9
Coronado 23
21.8
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
19.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Seafarer 23 ★
38.6 %
Coronado 23
47.8 %
Oday 23 2
35.0 %
Venture Of Newport 23
30.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Seafarer 23 ★
13.8
Coronado 23
11.2
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
11.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Seafarer 23 ★
2.17
Coronado 23
2.35
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
2.28
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Seafarer 23 ★
153
Coronado 23
126
Oday 23 2
206
Venture Of Newport 23
120
Hull Speed
Seafarer 23 ★
6.0 kts
Coronado 23
6.0 kts
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
5.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Seafarer 23 ★
3.3
Coronado 23
4.5
Oday 23 2
—
Venture Of Newport 23
5.1
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