$18,999
Indianapolis, Indiana
Category
Sailboats
Length
23'
Posted Over 1 Month
2003 Precision 23
With today's medium-size family cars, the Precision 23 might well be termed a "maxi-trailerable." It far outstrips existing boats in terms of usable space, both on deck and below, with bulkheads intentionally trimmed back to avoid subdividing the visual space. The Precision 23 hull represents a very careful refinement of the basic form that has proven so successful in all of Precision's trailerable cruisers, featuring "racer sharp" waterline entry, substantial flare in the topside forward, and powerful quarters that taper to a shapely and relatively small transom. This combination of features provides a reassuring margin of both reserve buoyancy forward and "knockdown stability." The well-proven keel-centerboard combination is the most practical solution for combining upwind efficiency with very shoal draft. The long, shallow keel, kick-up rudder, and non-corroding fiberglass centerboard of the P-23 are all essential to her remarkable upwind performance. The fixed portion of the keel not only houses the board completely below the cabin sole, but it also allows the ballast to be placed as low as possible for increased stability. For trailerable boats, winged keels are more of an inexpensive expedient than a sensible design. In order to be effective with the very shallow draft required for trailering, the wings have to be so broad as to be awkward and prone to damage at the launching ramp, and very difficult to work free from the inevitable mud banks. The simple fractional rig of the P-23 features chainplates placed well inboard, another vital ingredient to her impressive speed to windward. Her mainsail is very large in order to provide good performance without the jib when desired. The cockpit is 7 feet 3 inches long, with coamings high enough to keep the crew securely inside, and the low and sleekly-styled cabin house provides excellent visibility forward. Special emphasis has gone into giving the P-23 her particularly bright and uncluttered interior. The typical intrusive mast compression post is replaced by a rugged overhead support beam. The especially large companionway, cabin windows and forward hatch contribute to the feeling of light and open space. The double berth forward is generous, and there are full-size berths aft which will accommodate three, although the expectation is that she will be cruised most often by a family, or perhaps two couples. A space for portable head is forward, and the fixed galley is aft, where it is convenient to both cabin and cockpit. Cushioned backrests amidships provide comfortable seating for up to six. Both seats and coamings are precisely angled for maximum comfort both upright and heeled, the result of very careful ergonomic design development. There is an anchor locker forward, a fuel tank storage bin to port, and a large cockpit locker with storage shelf to starboard.
