Design and Construction
The 2023 A is a recreational keelboat built predominantly of fiberglass, with a solid fiberglass hull and deck. All models in the family share raked stems, two-angled open reverse transoms, transom-hung rudders controlled by a tiller, and retractable centerboards; the A specifically carries a transom-mounted rudder and a centerboard keel. The lineage from the Santana 23 D is structural as well as visual — the same hull design underpins both — so the 2023 A inherits a proven trailerable platform while presenting a distinct deck and cabin arrangement development from the 1978 Santana 23 D hull. Period testers judged the hull to be well designed, and its 23-foot-4-inch length overall with a 20-foot-6-inch waterline, 8-foot-6-inch beam, and 2,880-pound displacement mark it as a manageable trailerable cruiser.
Rig and Handling
The A model uses a fractional sloop rig with no mast backstay and is fitted with mainsail boom roller furling, a configuration that simplifies short-handed operation. Schock’s decision to omit the backstay on this standard-cabin version pairs with the roller-furling main to keep the rig approachable. Testers found the boat easy to rig and launch, and noted that its simple operation should not confound beginners or those stepping up from daysailing. With a PHRF average handicap of 224, the 2023 A sits well behind the R model’s 174 rating, marking it as the more sedate cruising-oriented expression of the family. The water ballast — 1,300 pounds of it, drained for road transport — gives the boat its stiffness without permanent keel weight, and the centerboard retracts to a 1-foot-2-inch minimum draft for trailer and shallow-water use, extending to 5-foot-4-inch maximum draft when lowered.
Accommodations and Intended Use
The 2023 A is assigned the role of cruiser within the model range, and its development from the 23 D’s hull with a different interior reflects that brief. Testers considered the Santana 2023 generally a reasonable introduction to cruising lakes and protected waters, which positions the A as a trailable weekender for sheltered regions rather than offshore work. The fractional rig, tiller steering, and open reverse transom speak to a boat meant to be launched, sailed, and retrieved by a small crew without complication.
Known Issues
Early examples of the Santana 2023 suffered gear failures, and Schock used plywood on the interior of the water ballast tanks on those early boats before turning to fiberglass for the tanks starting in 1996. A separate persistent concern is the builder’s continued use of a brittle caulking material for the joints around the top of the water ballast tank, which owners report has often led to leaks. Buyers and owners of pre-1996 hulls should regard tank interiors and tank-top seals as the primary wear points.
The Verdict
The Santana 2023 A is a thoughtfully evolved trailerable cruiser that borrows a capable hull from the Santana 23 D and wraps it in a beginner-friendly, furling-rigged package. Its water ballast and retractable centerboard make it a practical tow-and-sail proposition, while the known tank-leak and early-gear issues are bounded, well-understood, and concentrated in specific build periods. For sheltered-water cruising and step-up sailors, it remains a coherent, light-footed design.
Pros
- Direct hull development from the proven 1978 Santana 23 D
- Mainsail boom roller furling and no backstay simplify the rig
- Water ballast drained for transport; centerboard gives shallow draft
- Testers found it easy to rig, launch, and operate for newcomers
Cons
- Early models suffered gear failures
- Plywood tank interiors on early boats; brittle tank-top caulking leaks reported
