Design and Construction
The Grampian 23 measures 23 feet quarter-inch overall, with a 20.93-foot waterline and an 8-foot beam. It displaces 3,200 pounds and carries 1,033 pounds of lead ballast. A displacement-to-length ratio near 156 and a ballast ratio just over 32 percent place it firmly among sturdy little cruisers rather than featherweight racers.
Grampian Marine built both the hull and deck in solid fiberglass, without a core. The standard swing keel draws 5.33 feet when extended and 2.36 feet when retracted. Buyers could instead choose an optional fixed fin keel, trading shallow-water access for mechanical simplicity. Steering is by tiller through a transom-hung rudder.
Rig and Handling
The boat carries a masthead Bermuda sloop rig, with the masthead 31 feet above the waterline. Total sail area is just under 241 square feet, divided between a 110-square-foot mainsail and a 131-square-foot jib or genoa. The foretriangle measures 26.4 feet high and 9.9 feet at the base, and the boat can carry a symmetrical spinnaker off the wind.
With a PHRF rating of 270 and a theoretical hull speed of 6.1 knots, the Grampian 23 is a modest performer better suited to relaxed coastal cruising than sharp club racing. Its tiller and transom-hung rudder keep the helm straightforward, while the swing keel opens up a broader range of launch ramps and anchorages.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the Grampian 23 makes a strong case for its size. The five-berth layout includes a double V-berth forward, a dinette that converts into a second double in the main cabin, and a single berth aft to port beneath the cockpit.
The galley is amidships to port and includes a two-burner stove and sink. The head sits to starboard, just aft of the bow cabin. Cabin headroom is 64 inches, and a pop-top provides additional standing room at the table.
That interior space is the boat’s defining feature, but it comes at a cost on deck.
Cockpit and Storage
The spacious cabin pushes into the cockpit, leaving relatively little outdoor working space for a boat of this length. Owners will need to plan crew movement and storage accordingly. This is the Grampian 23’s central compromise: belowdecks volume takes priority over cockpit room.
Ownership and Refit
Auxiliary power comes from an outboard rather than an inboard. This simplifies the engine installation and keeps the bilge clear, though it brings more noise and greater exposure to weather at the stern.
The swing keel requires periodic inspection of its pivot and trunk. The optional fixed-fin version eliminates that maintenance item entirely. Because the hull and deck are solid fiberglass, there’s no core rot to track down, although any used example still warrants the usual survey for osmosis and gelcoat problems.
The Verdict
The Grampian 23 is a thoughtfully packaged small cruiser that offers more livability than its length might suggest. McGruer and Grampian Marine produced a solid, simple boat whose only inherent compromise is the cockpit space sacrificed to the cabin.
For a couple or small family looking for an accessible, trailerable coastal cruiser, the Grampian 23 remains a sensible used-market candidate.
Pros
- Five berths, including two doubles, in a 23-foot hull
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck with no core
- Swing keel retracts to a 2.36-foot draft
- Optional fixed fin keel
- Outboard auxiliary keeps the systems simple
Cons
- Cockpit is small for the boat’s length because of the spacious interior
- Modest performance, with a PHRF rating of 270 and a theoretical hull speed of 6.1 knots
