Kirby 23
# Kirby 23

The Kirby 23 is a sailboat that was designed by Canadian Bruce Kirby as a racer-cruiser and first built in 1985.

The Kirby 23 is a development of the Sonar, with a cabin modified for cruising use. It is very similar to the Blazer 23.

## Production

The design was built by Ross Marine starting in 1985, with six boats completed, but it is now out of production.

## Design

The Kirby 23 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fibreglass. It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 2,400 lb (1,089 kg) and carries 900 lb (408 kg) of ballast.

The boat has a draft of 3.92 ft (1.19 m) with the standard keel and is normally fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and manoeuvring.

The design has a hull speed of 5.81 kn (10.76 km/h).

