Aloa 23 R Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for an Aloa 23 R means looking at a small, finite population of French coastal sloops designed by Jacques Faroux and built by Aloa Marine between 1978 and 1979. With only 99 produced, each example carries the character of a limited-run pocket cruiser rather than a mass-market boat, and buyers should approach her as a simple polyester weekender.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 23 R was offered with a single interior layout providing four berths and 1.5 m of headroom. The compact volume follows from the 6.8 m hull and 6 m waterline, and the low overhead makes the cabin a sitting-only space for most adults. A transom-hung rudder and fin keel define the underbody, with a 1.20 m draft that keeps her trailer-friendly and shoal-tolerant.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Outboards on these boats are typically in the 6 to 8 HP range, and that auxiliary power is the one system a buyer should verify runs cleanly. Beyond the engine, the as-found inventory is usually modest: a fractional rig with a 12.7 m² main and 12.8 m² genoa, and basic coastal equipment suited to Category 3 use. Any navigation or canvas upgrades are owner-fitted rather than standard, so judge each boat on its own presented gear.
What to Inspect
The key discrepancy is dimensional: published builder figures list 6.8 m overall, 6 m waterline, and 1.20 m draft, while one owner's francisation papers record 7.25 m overall, 6.60 m waterline, and 1.15 m draft. A survey should confirm the actual length and draft against the vessel's registration documents before purchase. Otherwise, inspect the solid polyester hull and deck for the usual age-related issues of a 1970s fiberglass boat.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Regional availability is not tracked in any current market summary, so buyers should simply watch French and European brokerage listings broadly. For a purchase checklist: confirm the registered dimensions against papers, verify the 6 to 8 HP outboard, check the four-berth interior for moisture, and assess the polyester hull for soundness. The Aloa 23 R rewards a buyer who wants a small, straightforward coastal sloop with no surprises beyond her paperwork.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Boats 23 | 23.25' | $ 7,750 | 19 | 14 |
| Jeanneau Tonic 23 | 23.94' | $ 11,537 | 17 | 6 |