Santana 23 D Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Santana 23 D are defined by its high power-to-weight ratio and its unconventional ballasting. Unlike the original 1978 Shad Turner-designed Santana 23, which relied on a heavy swing keel, the 23 D features a 1,300-pound water ballast tank. When empty, the boat is exceptionally light, allowing it to plane in moderate breezes; when filled, the ballast provides the necessary righting moment for stable upwind work.

Under sail, the boat is known for its responsiveness. Reviews in Sail Magazine have noted that the 23 D behaves more like a large dinghy than a traditional keelboat, with a sensitive helm that provides immediate feedback. The daggerboard is a high-aspect-ratio foil that contributes to excellent tacking angles, though the lack of a heavy lead bulb means the boat can be "tender" in gusts. Sailors often recommend early reefing of the fractional rig to keep the boat flat and fast. The boat's light displacement allows it to excel in light-to-moderate air, a condition where traditional 23-footers often struggle.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Santana 23 D is surprisingly voluminous for its length, a direct benefit of the water-ballast design. Because the ballast is stored in tanks beneath the sole rather than in a massive keel trunk, the cabin floor is remarkably open. The layout typically features a V-berth forward, a small galley area, and twin quarter berths extending aft.

A signature feature of the Schock-built 23-footers is the "pop-top" companionway hatch. When raised, this feature provides near-standing headroom in the main cabin, significantly reducing the "tunnel" feeling common in small sailboats. W.D. Schock produced two primary variants on this hull: the 23 D (Daggerboard) and the 23 C (Conventional keel). While the "C" version offered a fixed lead keel for those who preferred traditional stability and a permanent mooring, the "D" variant remains more popular on the used market due to its ability to be fully retracted for beaching or shallow-water gunkholing.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

When inspecting a Santana 23 D, the water-ballast system and the daggerboard assembly require the most scrutiny. Prospective buyers should focus on these specific technical areas:

• Ballast Tank Integrity: Inspect the air vents and the transom valve for the water ballast tank. Seals can perish over time, leading to slow leaks into the bilge or, conversely, an inability to fully drain the tank for trailering.
• Daggerboard Trunk & Hardware: The daggerboard is subject to high lateral loads. Check the trunk for stress cracks and ensure the lifting tackle (usually a winch or multi-purchase line) operates smoothly. Any "clunking" while underway may indicate worn bushings or a misaligned foil.
• Deck Core: Like many Schock models of this era, the deck is a fiberglass sandwich construction. Use a moisture meter or perform a "tap test" around the chainplates and stanchion bases to check for soft spots or delamination caused by water ingress.
• Rudder Bearings: The transom-mounted rudder is exposed and can develop play in the pintles and gudgeons. Excessive vibration at high speeds is a common symptom of worn hardware.

Community & Resources

The Santana 23 D benefits from a strong West Coast following and the legacy support of the broader Santana community. Technical discussions and parts sourcing are frequently handled through the Santana Owners Association, which provides a repository for original manuals and tuning guides. While W.D. Schock’s primary operations ceased around 2018, many owners still look to the Harbor 20 community resources for overlapping hardware and rigging advice, as Steve Schock’s design principles transitioned across both lines.

The Verdict

The Santana 23 D is an ideal choice for the sailor who prioritizes mobility and light-air performance over heavy-weather blue-water capability.

Pros:

• Ease of Transport: The lightweight water-ballast system makes it one of the easiest 23-footers to trailer and launch.
• Versatility: The fully retractable daggerboard allows for "nose-to-the-beach" anchoring.
• Interior Volume: The absence of a large keel trunk and the inclusion of the pop-top create a cabin that feels larger than its 23-foot LOA.

Cons:

• Initial Stability: Can feel "twitchy" or tender compared to fixed-keel competitors like the Catalina 22.
• Ballast Management: Requires discipline to ensure the tank is properly filled before leaving the dock and emptied before trailering.
• Maintenance: The daggerboard and water-ballast valves introduce mechanical complexity not found on simpler fixed-keel boats.