Precision 23 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Precision 23 presents a single layout across its production run, though fit and finish details evolved as the builder refined the design over the years. The interior is organized around a V-berth forward, a pair of facing mid-cabin settees, and a port quarter berth aft that runs a generous length beneath the cockpit. A compact galley occupies the starboard side near the companionway, typically fitted with a stainless sink, a manual water pump, and provisions for an alcohol or gas camp stove. A portable head forward under the V-berth serves as the standard arrangement throughout production. Cabin headroom measures approximately four and a half feet — adequate for sitting comfortably, though standing below is impractical for all but the shortest crew. Earlier boats differ from later examples primarily in the detail work: deck hardware packages improved over time, and later production boats are more likely to have features such as the stern perch seats molded into the stern pulpit, which add considerable cockpit comfort and were retrofitted by many owners of earlier hulls.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Boats from throughout the production run commonly carry Harken deck hardware, reflecting the manufacturer's decision to spec quality hardware from the outset rather than downgrade for the budget-trailerable market. Lewmar opening ports appear frequently, contributing meaningfully to cabin ventilation during warm-weather use. The standard rig is a fractional arrangement with inboard chainplates on the cabin top, which opens the side decks and improves sheeting angles for the working jib — a genuine performance benefit that remains relevant on the used market.

Owner upgrades tend to cluster around sail inventory and cockpit ergonomics. A 155 percent genoa or a cruising gennaker is a frequent addition, as the working jib alone undersails the boat in lighter conditions. A mainsheet traveler is among the most commonly cited aftermarket additions; the original cockpit arrangement omits one, and experienced owners regularly retrofit a short traveler across the cockpit to improve upwind trim. Boom vangs were offered as factory options and are widely fitted on used examples. Many owners have also upgraded to a dodger or added canvas cockpit enclosures, particularly on boats kept on fresh water where summer camping use is common. VHF radios, chart plotters, and depth sounders appear with regularity on boats that have seen coastal or lake use, and a small outboard bracket aft — sized for the recommended six-horsepower auxiliary — is standard practice across the fleet.

Trailer condition is the single most important accessory to evaluate. Precision sold the boat as a package with its own purpose-built trailer, and many used examples come with that original equipment. However, trailer frames, bearings, and rollers degrade faster than hulls, and an aging trailer can easily represent the most expensive item on a budget inspection.

What to Inspect

The hull's hand-laminated construction using ISO/NPG gelcoat and a vinylester resin skin coat provides good long-term osmotic resistance, but age and storage conditions still require scrutiny. Examine the centerboard trunk carefully — the pennant line and trunk seal are wear items that owners sometimes defer, and a stiff or water-weeping trunk warrants investigation before purchase. The board itself is a high-lift NACA foil section; check for delamination or impact damage along the leading edge, which is vulnerable during trailering if the board is not fully retracted.

The deck is a foam-cored sandwich with plywood inserts at high-load points. Moisture intrusion around fittings — particularly the mast step, chainplate penetrations, and any deck hardware that has been added or replaced by previous owners — is the principal structural concern on any cored-deck boat this age. Probe suspect areas with a moisture meter and look for soft spots underfoot. The hull-to-deck joint is bonded and through-bolted from the factory, which is a sound detail, but examine it for any evidence of delamination or sealant failure along the joint line.

Standing rigging on the older end of the production run may be original or may have been replaced once. Inspect the 3/16-inch 1x19 wire for broken strands, especially at swage terminations near the turnbuckles. The backstay uses a bridle arrangement with smaller 5/32-inch wire; inspect both legs carefully. The fractional rig carries most of its power in the mainsail, so the mast partners and mast step should be checked for cracking or wear consistent with the compression loads the rig places on the deck beam that replaces a traditional compression post. That beam is a design feature — it preserves the open cabin — but confirms that any evidence of sagging headliner or cracking in the overhead area near the mast deserves investigation.

The rudder uses a kick-up mechanism that is convenient for shoal-water sailing but introduces a pivot point and hardware that wears with use. Verify that the rudder locks down firmly under sailing loads and does not float or rattle. The downhaul and lifting lines are wear items that are inexpensive to replace but important to test before the purchase inspection concludes.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Precision 23 circulates predominantly within the United States, where the trailerable-sailboat market is most active. Fresh-water lakes in the Midwest and Southeast — where the boat was actively sold and supported through dealer networks — hold a consistent supply of used examples. Coastal markets appear less frequently, as the boat's trailer-sailer profile appeals primarily to inland and near-coastal buyers, though examples occasionally surface on the Gulf Coast and the Great Lakes. The long production run and substantial fleet size mean that a patient buyer is unlikely to face a shortage of candidates.

Before committing to a purchase, work through the following:

• Inspect the centerboard trunk and pennant for wear, leakage, or stiffness
• Check deck coring for moisture at mast step, chainplates, and added fittings
• Confirm the boom-vang and traveler arrangement, or budget for a traveler retrofit
• Assess the trailer frame, bearings, rollers, and bunks independently from the boat
• Verify standing rigging wire condition at swage fittings, especially the backstay bridle
• Sail the boat with the centerboard fully down to assess rudder lock and board feedback
• Review sail inventory — working jib alone undersails the design in typical conditions
• Confirm any outboard is tested running and that the bracket is securely mounted