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Imperial 23

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Imperial 23
Development
DesignerL. Wakefield
LocationUnited Kingdom
Year1966
Builder(s)Russell Marine
RoleCruiser
NameImperial 23
Boat
Displacement2,700 lb (1,225 kg)
Draft2.75 ft (0.84 m)
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionglassfibre
LOA22.50 ft (6.86 m)
LWL20.00 ft (6.10 m)
Beam7.50 ft (2.29 m)
Engine typeinboard engine or outboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typetwin keels
Ballast1,120 lb (508 kg)
Rudder(s)skeg-mounted rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
I foretriangle height25.00 ft (7.62 m)
J foretriangle base7.83 ft (2.39 m)
P mainsail luff23.00 ft (7.01 m)
E mainsail foot10.00 ft (3.05 m)
Sails
Sailplanmasthead sloop
Mainsail area115.00 sq ft (10.684 m2)
Jib/genoa area97.88 sq ft (9.093 m2)
Total sail area212.88 sq ft (19.777 m2)

The Imperial 23 is a British trailerable sailboat that was designed by L. Wakefield as a cruiser and first built in 1966. Starting in 1968 it was sold as the Islander 23.[1][2][3]

Production

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The design was built by Russell Marine in the United Kingdom, from 1966 until about 1970, but it is now out of production. It was imported into the United States by Wells Yachts.[1][3][4]

Design

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The Imperial 23 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of glassfibre, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem plumb stem, a slightly reverse transom, a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed twin keels. It displaces 2,700 lb (1,225 kg) and carries 1,120 lb (508 kg) of iron ballast.[1][3]

The boat has a draft of 2.75 ft (0.84 m) with the standard twin keels.[1][3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 6 hp (4 kW) outboard motor for docking and manoeuvring or, optionally, an inboard motor.[3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a dual quarter berths in the bow cabin and two straight settees in the aft of the main cabin. The galley is located on the port side just forward of the companionway ladder. The galley is equipped with a two-burner stove and a sink. The head is located in the bow cabin, between the bow quarter berths. The fresh water tank has a capacity of 6 U.S. gallons (23 L; 5.0 imp gal). Cabin headroom is 54 in (137 cm).[1][3]

The design has a hull speed of 6.0 kn (11.1 km/h).[3]

Operational history

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In a 2010 review American Steve Henkel wrote, "here is a typical British import of the 1960s: Twin iron keels and a sturdy rudder skeg for lying upright on the English tidal flats without risk of damage; heavy, sturdy hull and relatively small sail area for dealing with brisk English Chanel winds; tabernacle for easier mast lowerings provision for an inboard engine despite the boat's relatively small size. (Re size: The boat measures 22' 6" from the lower tip of her reverse transom to the forward tip of her galvanized steel anchor roller, thus claiming to be a '23-footer.' On deck she’s only 22' 2".) Best features: Forward quarter berths instead of the usual V-berths provide easier access to the head, complete with hinged door for privacy. A unique (but optional) 'Autohoist' permits vertical storage of an outboard engine; the skipper winds the motor out of the water with a worm-gear driven winch. Worst features: The jutting samson post [sic] on the small foredeck may make picking up and securing a mooring easier, but might worry the foredeck crew who, when in a hurry, could easily trip on the upward-sticking prong."[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Imperial 23 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  2. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Islander 23 (Wakefield)". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 178. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-163652-0
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Russell Marine Ltd. 1959 - 1980". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.