Watkins 23
Watkins Yachts · designed by Johannes "Jopie" Helsen · 1973
stub keel and centerboardBermuda rigUnited States
The Watkins 23 is a 23-foot bermuda rig sailboat designed by Johannes "Jopie" Helsen and built by Watkins Yachts, first launched in 1973.
General
| Builder | Watkins Yachts |
|---|---|
| Designer | Johannes "Jopie" Helsen |
| Years built | 1973 |
| Hull type | stub keel and centerboard |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| Origin | United States |
Dimensions
| LOA | 23.00 ft7.01 m |
|---|---|
| LWL | 19.80 ft6.04 m |
| Beam | 8.00 ft2.44 m |
| Draft (max) | 6.00 ft1.83 m |
| Displacement | 2,500 lb1,134 kg |
| Ballast | 900 lb408 kg |
| Sail Area | 200 ft²18.6 m² |
Design ratios
Computed from the specs above using the standard formulas. Try the sailboat calculators with your own numbers.
SA / Displacement 17.37 Cruiser — good all-round performance
Ballast / Displacement 36.0 % Higher = stiffer / more sail-carrying power
Displacement / Length 144 Light
Comfort Ratio 11.7 Racing / light coastal
Capsize Screening 2.36 Better suited to coastal use (> 2.0)
Hull Speed 6.0 kn Theoretical max displacement speed
How these numbers are calculated
- SA / Displacement
SA ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(2/3)— Power-to-weight. < 16 under-canvassed, 16–20 cruiser, > 20 racer.- Ballast / Displacement
Ballast ÷ Disp × 100— Stability/stiffness. Higher carries sail better.- Displacement / Length
Disp(lt) ÷ (0.01 · LWL)³— < 100 ultralight, 100–200 light, 200–300 moderate, > 300 heavy.- Comfort Ratio (Brewer)
Disp ÷ (0.65 · (0.7·LWL + 0.3·LOA) · Beam^1.33)— Motion in a seaway. Higher = more comfortable offshore.- Capsize Screening
Beam ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(1/3)— ≤ 2.0 favored for offshore; > 2.0 better for coastal use.- Hull Speed
1.34 · √LWL— Theoretical max displacement speed in knots.
Estimated price
$14,000 typical range $11,000 – $17,000
⚠ Rough estimate only — not market data. Derived from a simple model based on length and hull age; actual asking prices vary widely with condition, equipment, engine hours and location.