Leisure 23 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Heritage

Several hundred examples were produced after the design's early-seventies inception, though attribution varies: an editorial review assigns the hull to British architect Graham A. Caddick, while the manufacturer spec names Frank Pryor as the designing hand. The Leisure 23SL appeared two years later carrying an identical hull and rig but a revised deck moulding with wedge coach roof and higher side decks, gaining an inch of cabin headroom.

Construction and Hull

The fiberglass hull is a one-piece moulded GRP shell with interior bulkheads bonded in for exceptional strength and rigidity, and a balsa sandwich deck adds insulation and further strength. A teak rubbing strake protects topsides, and moulded non-slip deck areas aid forward work. Keel options included fin or twin hydrofoil-section cast-iron units, and the twin bilge arrangement allows the boat to be beached on shallow margins. Rudder and skeg are moulded GRP with steel framework.

Rig and Handling

The boat uses a masthead rig configuration with aluminium alloy spars—originally gold, later black or silver—and stainless steel standing rigging with internal halyards. Sail plans include a standard mast height near 26 feet and a genoa of considerable area. Independent calculations put the capsize screening value at 1.97, suggesting the design could qualify for ocean races by that formula alone, while the manufacturer spec describes the yacht as a most seaworthy vessel thanks to its 48 percent ballast ratio. Theoretical hull speed is about 6 knots, and comfort metrics place it above many similar designs for motion ease.

Accommodations

The manufacturer spec highlights ample deck space and a large deep cushioned cockpit, leading to surprisingly roomy accommodation for up to five people below. A dinette main saloon and large fore cabin make extensive use of teak and teak veneers for a warm appearance. A standard galley provides a two-burner gas stove and sink with freshwater pump. Two fore cabin layouts were offered, either with or without a separate toilet compartment; one review characterizes headroom as near average for the class, while the manufacturer's spec lists cabin headroom at about 5 feet 9 inches.

Ownership and Refit Notes

Standard auxiliary power was an outboard of 8 to 10 horsepower, but many owners have a 10hp inboard diesel—usually a Volvo Penta Saildrive unit—installed. For docking, an outboard of 4 to 5 hp is often employed, or an electric equivalent with 81–98 lbs thrust. The shallow twin-keel draft of roughly 2 feet 8 inches enables easy marina access and grounding, and the later SL deck moulding improved headroom slightly without altering performance.

Known Issues

Buyers should note the documented compromise that one berth becomes very short when the separate toilet compartment is fitted in the fore cabin. Additionally, historical sources conflict on the designing architect, and the fin-keel draft can vary by load between 3.9 and 4.2 feet. The relative speed performance trails 73 percent of comparable sailboats, placing it toward the slower end of the class rather than a brisk racer.

The Verdict

The Leisure 23 stands as a pragmatic small cruiser with a rugged GRP hull, sensible twin-keel options, and a surprisingly social interior for its length. Its high ballast ratio and seaworthy pedigree appeal to coastal wanderers, while the later SL variant tweaks accommodation without disturbing the proven underbody.

Pros