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Stiletto 23
Designer: Peter Wormwood  ·  Builder: Force Engineering (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Stiletto 23

Peter Wormwood's Stiletto 23 represents an innovative approach to small catamaran design that emerged in the mid-1980s. Built by Force Engineering, this fractional sloop-rigged catamaran combines lightweight construction with impressive performance credentials for its size class. At 23 feet overall with a 13.83-foot beam, the Stiletto 23 features twin daggerboards and fiberglass construction that keeps displacement to just 875 pounds. This ultralight design philosophy translates into exceptional speed potential, evidenced by an impressive sail area to displacement ratio of 61.32 – firmly placing it in high-performance territory. The 350 square feet of sail area provides ample power for spirited sailing in various conditions. The catamaran configuration offers inherent stability and reduces heeling, making it an excellent choice for day sailing, coastal cruising, and club racing. The shallow 3.5-foot draft with retractable daggerboards allows access to skinny waters and easy beach launching, expanding cruising opportunities considerably. Known for responsive handling and impressive speed, the Stiletto 23 appeals to sailors seeking performance-oriented sailing without the complexity of larger multihulls. Its reputation centers on delivering genuine catamaran sailing excitement in a manageable, trailerable package that doesn't require a large crew to handle effectively.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.50 ft / 6.55 m
Beam 13.83 ft / 4.22 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Min Draft 0.58 ft / 0.18 m
Displacement 875.00 lb / 397 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 350.00 ft² / 32.52 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Dbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Wormwood
Builder Force Engineering (USA)
First Built 1985
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Performance Ratios
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
1.85
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
5.79
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. 6.21 kn
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. 6.37 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
KSP 1.47
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