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Van De Stadt 71
Designer: Van De Stadt  ·  Builder: Gj Tech (Au)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Van De Stadt 71

Designed by the renowned Dutch naval architect E.G. van de Stadt, this compact 23-foot sailboat represents practical European design philosophy applied to trailerable cruising. Built by GJ Tech in Australia starting in 1985, the Van de Stadt 71 features a distinctive lifting keel configuration that transforms it from a shallow-draft explorer to a stable sailing platform with impressive windward ability. The fractional sloop rig and fiberglass construction deliver reliable performance, while the lifting keel system opens up cruising possibilities unavailable to fixed-keel boats of similar size. With a draft that reduces significantly when the keel is raised, this design excels at gunkholing and exploring shallow waters, making it ideal for coastal cruising and adventure sailing in areas with varying depths. The boat's moderate displacement and well-balanced sail plan create predictable handling characteristics suitable for both novice and experienced sailors. Van de Stadt's reputation for creating seaworthy designs that punch above their weight class is evident here, with build quality reflecting Australian craftsmanship standards. The combination of trailerable size, lifting keel versatility, and solid construction makes this an appealing choice for sailors seeking a capable pocket cruiser that can access waters others cannot reach.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.29 ft / 7.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.70 ft / 5.70 m
Beam 8.20 ft / 2.50 m
Max Draft 4.27 ft / 1.30 m
Min Draft 0.98 ft / 0.30 m
Displacement 5,346.00 lb / 2,425 kg
Ballast 1,263.00 lb / 573 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 225.00 ft² / 20.90 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Van de Stadt
Builder GJ Tech (AU)
First Built 1985
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Performance Ratios
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
 11.81
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
 23.63
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
 364.97
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
 24.95
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
 1.88
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. 5.79 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
 0.98
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. 547.90 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. 11.81
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 23.62 ft / 7.20 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.38 ft / 2.25 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
SA Fore 87.16 ft² / 8.10 m²
SA Main 137.81 ft² / 12.80 m²
SA Total (100%) 224.97 ft² / 20.90 m²
Est. Forestay Length 24.75 ft / 7.54 m
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