Design and Construction
Com-Pac fitted the standard 23-foot solid FRP hull with a new, tall pilothouse. Below the waterline, the keel is a long, low-aspect fin with an arced trailing edge. The boat draws just over two feet—specifically 2 feet 3 inches—making it well suited to skinny-water gunkholing and anchoring.
The aluminum-blade rudder kicks up in case of grounding, a sensible concession for the shallow waters the shoal keel invites. The deck-stepped mast sits in a tabernacle and folds down for trailering or passing under low bridges. Below, bulkhead corner posts support it, eliminating a centerline compression post and opening the passage forward.
Rig and Handling
The 23 PH carries a simple single-spreader masthead sloop rig with fore and aft lower shrouds. It is identical to the standard 23 rig except for a higher boom, which clears the pilothouse. The masthead sloop rig rises 30 feet above the waterline.
A small bowsprit provides both a tack attachment for the furling headsail and a built-in anchor roller. The bridle-type mainsheet is mounted on the transom, keeping it out of the small cockpit. That cockpit is still a sizable six feet on deck and has tiller steering.
A length-to-beam ratio of 3.05, displacement-to-length ratio of 190, and sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.65 describe a short, heavy, modestly canvased pocket cruiser rather than a light-air flyer.
Accommodations
The pilothouse adds shelter and comfort for extended-season cruising. Large sliding windows and four hatches brighten the cabin, which is finished in white laminate with teak trim and offers six-foot headroom.
Forward and to starboard is the inside helm station, with wheel steering, engine controls, and space for basic electronics such as a VHF. The bulkhead between the helm and the head drops down to provide visibility through the head’s aft window. The helm chair also converts into a counter for the stove.
To port, a dinette for two has a cantilevered table and folds down to form a berth in the standard layout, providing the boat’s third berth. Just forward is a small icebox with counter space and a sink.
The forward V-berth makes an ample bunk for two, although it limits sitting headroom. To starboard, an enclosed compartment contains a Jabsco marine head and a sink that slides out for use. Two hanging lockers and numerous cubbyholes provide storage. The trade-off for this interior volume is a small cockpit and very minimal side decks.
Ownership and Refits
The 23 PH is trailerable and, with the available custom trailer, can easily be taken over the road for vacations or winter storage. Its engine sits beneath fold-away companionway steps, providing easy access.
Tankage includes seven gallons of diesel, 25 gallons of fresh water, and a five-gallon holding tank. The holding tank makes the boat welcome in zero-discharge zones.
The owner of hull No. 2 returned from two months in the Bahamas aboard his 23 Pilothouse, a manufacturer-reported endorsement of the concept’s range.
The Verdict
The Com-Pac 23 PH is a serious attempt to add all-weather livability to a proven pocket-cruiser hull. It trades deck space for an enclosed helm and a surprising amount of belowdecks accommodation. Its shoal keel and kick-up rudder also extend its cruising ground into waters that larger boats avoid. The compromises are real but predictable for a boat of this size.
Pros
- Inside steering station, with aft visibility through a dropping bulkhead
- Shoal 2-foot-3-inch draft and a kick-up aluminum rudder for grounding protection
- Award-winning accommodations with three berths and six-foot headroom
- Tabernacle mast and custom trailer for true over-the-road trailering
Cons
- Small cockpit and minimal side decks because of the pilothouse footprint
- Modest sail plan (SA/D 16.65) on a short, heavy hull
- Forward V-berth limits sitting headroom
