Designed by Shad Turner and built by W. D. Schock Corporation from 1978 to 1984, this compact fractional sloop represents an interesting chapter in the evolution of small performance cruisers. With 144 hulls produced during its six-year run, the Santana 23 D carved out a niche among sailors seeking a manageable boat that could handle both spirited daysailing and weekend cruising adventures. The boat's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which provides remarkable versatility for exploring shallow waters and launching from beaches while maintaining respectable sailing performance. At 5.25 feet draft, the boat offers good stability and windward ability when the keel is deployed, yet can access waters just a few feet deep with the keel raised. Built with fiberglass construction, the design emphasizes sailing performance with a sail area to displacement ratio of 24.09, indicating lively performance in moderate conditions. The fractional rig setup provides good balance and manageable sail handling for small crews. With a displacement of 2,600 pounds and 1,130 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and responsiveness. The Santana 23 D suits coastal cruising, day sailing, and club racing, particularly appealing to sailors who value shoal-draft capability without sacrificing sailing characteristics.
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What is the Santana 23 D's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Santana 23 D has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 24.09. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Santana 23 D's comfort ratio?
The Santana 23 D has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 10.3. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Santana 23 D safe for offshore sailing?
The Santana 23 D has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.57. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Santana 23 D?
The theoretical hull speed of the Santana 23 D is 6.08 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Santana 23 D weigh?
The Santana 23 D has a displacement of 2,600.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 23.33 ft.
How much does a used Santana 23 D cost?
Based on 1 recent market listings, used Santana 23 D sailboats typically sell for between $7,500 and $7,500, with a median asking price of $7,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Santana 23 D?
The Santana 23 D was designed by Shad Turner, first built in 1978.