Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.0′, the Spirit 23 K tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.0′ LWL = 6.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
234s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
36.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
176
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
6.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Spirit 23 K sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Spirit 23 K
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
San Juan 23
Pearson 23
Spirit 23
North American 23
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Spirit 23 K.
| Spirit 23 K | North American 23 | Pearson 23 | San Juan 23 | Sonar | Spirit 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| LWL | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.3 | 19.9 | 20.0 |
| Beam | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Displacement | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Ballast | 1 | 800 | 1 | 960 | 930 | 800 |
| Sail Area | — | 215 | 238 | — | 265 | 215 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 234 | 249 | 240 | 236 | — | 240 |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.4 | 16.6 | — | 25.9 | 17.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 36.5 | 28.6 | 37.1 | 35.6 | 44.3 | 28.6 |
| Comfort | — | 13.2 | 16.3 | — | 10.0 | 13.2 |
| Capsize | — | 2.25 | 2.11 | — | 2.45 | 2.25 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.0 | 6.0 | — | 6.0 | 6.0 |