Design Brief & Intent
The design philosophy behind the Creekmore 23 centers on robust seaworthiness and structural longevity. While competitors of the era, such as Catalina and O'Day, were designing lightweight, spacious coastal cruisers meant primarily for weekends and protected harbors, Creekmore engineered the 23 to handle ocean passages and demanding coastal runs. The hull is composed of a hand-laid fiberglass laminate schedule that is significantly thicker than the industry standards of the mid-1970s, establishing a "bulletproof" character that owners of Creekmore vessels have long praised.
This focus on structural integrity directly impacted the interior arrangement. Because Raymond Creekmore often sold these boats as semi-custom builds or as bare hulls and decks for owner completion, the interior fit-out can vary markedly from one hull to another. Standard factory-finished models generally featured a functional, utilitarian layout prioritizing offshore security. The interior joinery relies heavily on robust marine plywood and fiberglass liners, providing structural stiffness rather than delicate aesthetic flourishes. Headroom is modest, as expected in a 23-foot pocket cruiser, but the space is efficiently organized with a classic V-berth forward, compact settee berths, and a basic galley area suited for minimalist cruising.
Variations & Configurations
While larger Creekmore designs saw significant custom variations, the Creekmore 23 stayed relatively close to its centerboard design brief. Its defining feature is a pivoting centerboard keel, which allows the draft to shrink to approximately one foot when fully retracted. This configuration makes the boat highly trailerable and exceptionally capable of navigating the shallow waters of the Florida Keys and the Bahamas—the very cruising grounds that inspired the designer.
The sail plan was typically configured as a fractional sloop rig, striking a balance between easy single-handed control and sufficient power for light-air performance. Although the mast and rigging dimensions remained largely uniform, some minor variations exist due to the home-finished nature of certain hulls. For example, some owners opted for simplified deck layouts and internal halyards, while others rigged their boats with more complex control lines led aft to the cockpit for short-handed racing.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The physical dimensions of the Creekmore 23 translate into a remarkably balanced and stable experience at the helm. With a displacement of 3,000 pounds and a displacement-to-length ratio of 229.64, the boat sits firmly in the moderate displacement category. This ratio indicates that the 23 carries enough momentum to punch through choppy coastal chop without losing speed, a common failing of lighter hulls in this length class.
The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.61 confirms that the boat is well-powered. It has the horsepower to perform well in light air without requiring a massive, hard-to-manage headsail, yet it remains stiff and manageable as the breeze builds. When the wind intensifies, the capsize screening ratio of 2.36 signals that this is a relatively beamier boat for its length. While this beam provides excellent initial stability and a spacious cockpit, it also means the boat relies on its low-slung centerboard and hull shape for ultimate stability. At the same time, the comfort ratio of 13.74 reflects the lively motion inherent to a 23-foot hull. While it will motion-comfortably outperform ultra-light sportboats, the crew should still expect an active ride in heavy seas. Under power, the Creekmore 23 is traditionally propelled by a small outboard motor mounted on a transom bracket, with a three-to-four horsepower unit providing more than enough thrust for docking and close-quarters maneuvering.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because the Creekmore 23 was built in limited numbers compared to high-volume production boats, it is a rare find on the brokerage market today. It generally trades at a modest value, appealing directly to sailors who appreciate classic, heavy-duty fiberglass construction over modern, high-volume production liners.
The economics of owning a Creekmore 23 are largely defined by refit realities. Since the hulls and decks were built with thick, robust fiberglass schedules, major structural hull work is rarely required. However, because many units were owner-finished, prospective buyers must carefully inspect the wiring, plumbing, and interior cabinetry, which may not always conform to standard marine build practices. Upgrading a boat of this size is a highly manageable financial endeavor; rigging, sails, and outboard replacements are relatively inexpensive compared to larger cruising vessels, making the Creekmore 23 an economical platform for a high-quality pocket refit.
Known Issues & Triage
Despite its rugged build, the Creekmore 23 is subject to typical age-related wear common to 1970s fiberglass boats.
- Centerboard Trunk and Pivot Pin: The pivoting centerboard mechanism requires regular maintenance. The pivot pin can wear over time, leading to centerboard clank or, in worst-case scenarios, jamming within the trunk. Inspecting the trunk for structural cracking and ensuring the lifting pennant is in good condition is a primary triage step.
- Deck Core Wetness: While the hull is solid fiberglass, the deck is often cored with plywood or balsa to save weight. Hardware that was poorly bedded by original builders or previous owners can let moisture seep into the core, leading to soft spots around the chainplates, stanchions, and cleats.
- Varying Interior Build Quality: Because of the semi-custom nature of the brand, wiring harnesses and plumbing runs can sometimes be chaotic. A complete rewiring and simplification of the DC electrical system is a common first-year project for new owners.
The Verdict
The Creekmore 23 is an overbuilt, capable, and highly versatile pocket cruiser designed for sailors who want a small boat with a big-boat feel. While its interior space is tight and its finish details vary depending on its original builder, its structural integrity and shoal-draft capabilities make it an exceptional platform for thin-water coastal cruising and adventurous pocket voyaging.
Pros:
- Extremely robust, hand-laid solid fiberglass hull construction
- Shoal draft versatility via the centerboard keel, allowing for beaching and shallow-water exploration
- Balanced sailing characteristics with excellent light-air and heavy-weather performance for its size
- Easily trailerable, expanding cruising horizons without high slip fees
Cons:
- Varied interior layout and system installation quality due to semi-custom and owner-finished builds
- Limited headroom and compact living quarters compared to modern 23-foot cruisers
- Centerboard trunk and pivot mechanism require ongoing maintenance and monitoring
- Scarce market availability makes finding well-preserved models difficult
