Sirius 23 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Sirius 23 means choosing between a standard fin-keel sloop built by Sirius-Werft GmbH in Germany and the swing-keel variant that broadens where she can gunkhole. Both share the K. Schröter Travenünde masthead layout and a Farymann diesel, but the used buyer should understand the trade in draft, weight sensitivity, and what is known before committing.
Layouts on the Used Market
The standard Sirius 23 draws 4.1 feet with a skeg-hung rudder and fin keel; the alternative swing-keel version carries a transom-hung rudder and ranges from 2.1 feet raised to 4.9 feet lowered, a meaningful difference for shallow creeks and trailering. Both layouts use the same 23-foot fiberglass hull with an 8.2-foot beam, so interior room is consistent — the beamy plan gives more space than most similar boats. The swing-keel boat offered optional Farymann diesels of 5 or 8 horsepower, while the standard version is typically listed with the 8-horsepower unit.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Power and energy center on the Farymann diesel, the defining mechanical item on every example; the swing-keel’s 5-horsepower option is worth noting for lower thrust. Navigation and sail handling follow the masthead sloop’s original 3/8-inch sheets — mainsheet at 58 feet, jib and genoa at 23 feet — so buyers should check running rigging age rather than expect modern oversize upgrades. Comfort revolves around the 13-gallon water capacity, modest for extended stays, meaning a tank or bladder is a common owner addition.
What to Inspect
The known record on the Sirius 23 is thin on defects, but two physical facts govern inspection. First, the fiberglass hull’s low maintenance need should be verified against any osmotic or impact history visible on a 50-year-old boat. Second, the load immersion of 562 pounds per inch loading 562 lbs cargo on the Sirius 23 will sink it 1 inch means any added tankage or ballast on a swing-keel example must be measured against freeboard loss; confirm the keel pivot and trunk show no water intrusion.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
No regional market data is available for this model. For the buyer, the practical checklist is: confirm fin versus swing keel and rudder type; verify Farymann engine hour and cooling state; inspect keel trunk and pivot on swing versions; measure actual freeboard against added gear; and assess original 3/8-inch sheet condition. The Sirius 23 rewards a careful, ratio-aware buyer with a light, roomy coastal sailboat.