Paceship PY 23 Information, Review, Specs

It is vital for researchers to distinguish this model from the older Paceship 23, a flush-deck design by Cuthbertson & Cassian (C&C) released in 1969. While the C&C design was more of a dedicated racer, the PY 23 was a dedicated family cruiser with a distinct trunk cabin and significantly more interior volume.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The PY 23 is widely regarded as a stiff and stable performer, particularly when compared to lighter competitors like the Catalina 22. With a displacement of 2,460 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 39%, it carries its sail area of 225 square feet with composure. The boat was offered in two primary configurations: a shoal-draft keel/centerboard version and a fixed fin keel version (often designated the PY 23 FK or PY 23K).

The centerboard version is the more common of the two, featuring a 1.75-foot draft with the board up, which allows for easy trailering and gunkholing. When the 45-pound lead-weighted board is lowered to its full 4.75-foot depth, the boat displays respectable upwind tracking. Owners often note that the PY 23 "sails like a much larger boat," a characteristic attributed to the Hunt-designed hull which resists pounding and maintains momentum in a chop. While not a "rocket" in light air, its PHRF rating of approximately 240 makes it competitive in club racing, particularly in the Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC) circuits for which the fixed-keel variant was specifically optimized.

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a vessel of its era and size, the PY 23 offers an uncharacteristically spacious interior. The cabin features roughly 5 feet of headroom and a layout that prioritized an open feel. Unlike the cramped dinette arrangements common in the 1970s, many PY 23s utilized a "linear" layout with two parallel settees and a folding bulkhead-mounted table. This configuration creates a wide central aisle and provides comfortable seating for four adults.

The accommodations typically include a V-berth forward, two settee berths in the main salon, and occasionally a quarter berth, allowing for a total of five sleepers. A significant design triumph is the galley placement; situated directly under the main companionway hatch, it allows the cook to stand upright while preparing meals. The boat also features a semi-private head compartment located behind a solid bulkhead, a luxury rarely found in 23-footers of that vintage. Materially, early Canadian-built boats are distinguished by their extensive use of teak and mahogany trim and wooden toerails, while later AMF-built versions shifted toward lower-maintenance aluminum toerails and black anodized spars.

Popular Mentions & Media

The PY 23 has earned a reputation for ruggedness that exceeds its "daysailer" label. In community lore documented on the Paceship Owners Site, one notable voyage involved an offshore crossing of the Gulf of Maine from Saco, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia—a testament to the hull’s sea-kindliness in open water. While it lacks the high-profile media footprint of world-girdling yachts, it remains a staple of regional sailing literature and is frequently cited in "best of" lists for vintage pocket cruisers.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should focus their inspections on several high-signal areas common to early fiberglass production.

• Deck and Hull Core: Like many boats of this era, the PY 23 uses a balsa-cored deck. Moisture ingress around the chainplates, stanchion bases, and the mast step can lead to core rot and soft spots.
• Centerboard Assembly: In the keel/centerboard models, the pivot pin and the pennant (the cable used to raise the board) are prone to wear. Replacing a snapped pennant often requires the boat to be hauled and suspended, as the attachment point is difficult to reach while the boat is on a trailer.
• Bulkhead Rot: Check the base of the main bulkheads for "wicking" rot, which can occur if the bilge is left full of water or if there are persistent leaks from the chainplates.
• Rudder Delamination: The transom-hung rudder is a sandwich construction that can trap water over time, leading to internal expansion and cracking of the fiberglass skins.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data, original brochures, and owner support is the Paceship Owners Site, which maintains an extensive archive of the builder's history. While the original class associations are no longer active in a formal capacity, this technical wiki serves as the de facto authority for restoration projects and part sourcing.

The Verdict

The Paceship PY 23 is an over-engineered pocket cruiser that offers a rare balance of trailerability and "big boat" stability.

Pros:

• Excellent interior volume and clever galley placement for its size.
• Hunt-designed hull provides a stable, predictable ride in heavy air.
• Strong community support for historical and technical documentation.
• Draft versatility in the centerboard version allows for beaching and shallow-water exploration.

Cons:

• Heavy for daily trailering; requires a substantial tow vehicle and a good ramp.
• Original balsa-cored decks are frequently subject to moisture issues if neglected.
• The centerboard pennant system is difficult to service without specialized equipment.