Designed by the legendary naval architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens and first launched in 1963, this compact cruiser represents classic yacht design principles applied to a trailerable package. Built in the Netherlands by G. De Vries Lentch Jr., the Kestrel Cruise showcases European craftsmanship with its fiberglass construction and thoughtful proportions. At just over 23 feet, this masthead sloop punches above its weight class with a substantial 3,700-pound displacement and 1,400 pounds of ballast, creating exceptional stability for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility, allowing access to shallow waters while maintaining good windward performance when the board is deployed. With a comfort ratio of 23.16, the Kestrel Cruise leans toward the sportier side of cruising boats, making it responsive and enjoyable to sail while still providing reasonable accommodations for short-term cruising. The capsize screening formula of 1.81 indicates good stability characteristics for protected waters and moderate coastal conditions. The modest sail area of 229 square feet makes this boat manageable for small crews, while the Sparkman & Stephens pedigree ensures refined sailing characteristics. This design appeals to sailors seeking a classic, well-balanced boat for daysailing, weekend cruising, and light coastal exploration.
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What is the Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.36. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise's comfort ratio?
The Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 23.16. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise safe for offshore sailing?
The Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.81. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise?
The theoretical hull speed of the Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise is 5.44 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise weigh?
The Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise has a displacement of 3,700.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 23.08 ft.
Who designed the Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise?
The Seafarer 23 Kestrel Cruise was designed by Sparkman & Stephens, first built in 1963.