The Ontario Sonar is a 23-foot keelboat that serves as a masterclass in Bruce Kirby’s "clean-and-simple" design philosophy. Introduced in 1980, the Sonar was born from Kirby’s desire to create a high-performance racing vessel that didn’t sacrifice the comfort and safety required for family daysailing. Built primarily by Ontario Yachts in Burlington, Ontario—under the direction of Dirk Kneulman—the Sonar became a staple of the North American sailing scene. It is perhaps most distinguished by its massive, self-bailing cockpit and its legacy as an International Class, having been selected for use in the Paralympic Games from 1996 through 2016 due to its exceptional stability and accessible layout.
Ontario Sonar Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Ontario
- Model
- Sonar
- Builder
- Seidelman
- Designer
- Bruce Kirby
- Number Built
- 860
- Production Year(s)
- 1980 - ??
Below are the most recent Ontario Sonar sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | 1 | $4,500 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Boats J/105 | 34.5' | $59,500 | 28 | 15 |
| Esse 850 | 27.89' | $58,091 | 20 | 6 |
| J-Boats J/24 | 24' | $5,857 | 14 | 9 |
| Adams 10 | 33' | $12,169 | 12 | 2 |
| Hunter Boats Sonata | $4,123 | 11 | 6 | |
| Sparkman & Stephens 30 | 30.5' | $35,000 | 7 | 2 |
| Ultimate 20 | 20.83' | $15,000 | 6 | 2 |
| Performance Laser | $6,375 | 4 | 0 | |
| Precision 21 | 20.75' | $5,500 | 3 | 1 |
| Ontario Sonar | $4,500 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tartan 10 | 33.14' | $8,000 | 1 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $4,500 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Ontario Sonar cost?
- The median asking price for a used Ontario Sonar over the past 12 months is $4,500. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Ontario Sonar sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 1 Ontario Sonar listings over the past 12 months, with 0 listed within the last 90 days.
- What are similar sailboats to the Ontario Sonar?
- Comparable models include the J Boats J/105, Esse 850, J-Boats J/24. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.