Designed by Derek Angus and built by Olympic Yachts Ltd. in Canada starting in 1973, this compact 23-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat cruising and coastal sailing. The swing keel configuration is the Dolphin 23's defining feature, allowing sailors to explore shallow waters and trail the boat easily while maintaining good sailing performance when the keel is deployed. With a displacement of 2,200 pounds and substantial ballast of 1,000 pounds, the Olympic Dolphin 23 offers impressive stability for its size. The masthead sloop rig provides a generous sail area of 211 square feet, giving spirited performance in light to moderate conditions. The fiberglass construction ensures durability and low maintenance, while the beam of 7.25 feet creates a surprisingly roomy interior for weekend cruising. This design excels at coastal cruising, day sailing, and exploring shallow bays and rivers where fixed-keel boats cannot venture. The comfort ratio of 11.47 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion in waves, while the capsize screening formula of 2.23 indicates the boat is well-suited for protected and near-coastal waters rather than offshore passages. For sailors seeking an affordable, versatile small cruiser with shoal-draft capabilities, the Olympic Dolphin 23 delivers practical sailing in a manageable package.
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What is the Olympic Dolphin 23's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Olympic Dolphin 23 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 20.01. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Olympic Dolphin 23's comfort ratio?
The Olympic Dolphin 23 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 11.47. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Olympic Dolphin 23 safe for offshore sailing?
The Olympic Dolphin 23 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.23. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Olympic Dolphin 23?
The theoretical hull speed of the Olympic Dolphin 23 is 6.07 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Olympic Dolphin 23 weigh?
The Olympic Dolphin 23 has a displacement of 2,200.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 22.75 ft.
Who designed the Olympic Dolphin 23?
The Olympic Dolphin 23 was designed by Derek Angus, first built in 1973.