Design and Construction
McGruer's 23-foot design carries 3,200 pounds of displacement on a 20.93-foot waterline, with 1,033 pounds of lead ballast and an 8-foot beam. Grampian Marine built the hull of solid fiberglass with no core, and the deck is likewise solid glass. The swing keel gives a draft of 5.33 feet extended and 2.36 feet retracted, while a fixed fin keel was offered as an option for those who preferred simplicity over the shallow-water access. A transom-hung rudder on a tiller completes the steering picture. The boat's proportions — a displacement-to-length ratio near 156 and a ballast ratio just over 32 percent — place it firmly in the sturdy little cruiser camp rather than the featherweight racer end of the spectrum.
Rig and Handling
The Grampian 23 is a masthead sloop with a Bermuda rig, a 31-foot mast above the waterline, and a total sail area just under 241 square feet split between a 110-square-foot main and a 131-square-foot jib or genoa. The foretriangle measures 26.4 feet high by 9.9 feet at the base, and a symmetrical spinnaker may be carried for offwind work. With a PHRF of 270 and a theoretical hull speed of 6.1 knots, the design is a modest performer suited to relaxed coastal cruising rather than club-racing sharpness. The tiller and transom rudder keep the helm straightforward, and the swing keel broadens the range of anchorages and launch ramps open to her.
Accommodations
Below, the Grampian 23 makes a strong case for its size. Five berths are arranged around a double V-berth forward, a dinette that converts to a second double in the main cabin, and an aft single on the port side beneath the cockpit. The galley sits to port amidships with a two-burner stove and sink, while the head is tucked just aft of the bow cabin to starboard. Cabin headroom is 64 inches, and a pop-top lifts to add standing comfort at the table. That interior generosity is the boat's signature — but it comes at a cost on deck.
Known Issues
The roomy cabin plan pushes the cockpit boundaries inward, and the cockpit is relatively small for the boat's length as a direct result of the spacious interior. A buyer or owner should plan storage and crew movement accordingly, since the outdoor working space is compromised by the belowdecks volume.
Ownership and Refit
Owners of a Grampian 23 will be dealing with an outboard-powered auxiliary rather than an inboard, which simplifies the engine bay and keeps the bilge clear at the cost of some noise and weather exposure at the stern. The swing keel demands periodic inspection of its pivot and trunk, and the optional fin-keel version removes that maintenance item entirely. The solid glass hull and deck mean no core rot to chase, though any used example still warrants the usual osmosis and gelcoat survey.
The Verdict
The Grampian 23 is a thoughtfully packaged small cruiser that punches above its length in livability. McGruer and Grampian Marine delivered a solid, simple boat whose only inherent compromise is the cockpit size traded for cabin space. For a couple or small family seeking an accessible trailerable coastal cruiser, it remains a sensible used-market candidate.
Pros
- Five berths including two convertible doubles in a 23-foot hull
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck with no core
- Swing keel for 2.36-foot retracted draft; fixed fin optional
- Outboard power keeps systems simple
Cons
- Cockpit is small for the boat's size due to interior volume
- Modest sail-plan performance (PHRF 270, 6.1-kn hull speed)
