Sonic 23 Sailboats for Sale

Hull Type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

23' · 7.01 m

Disp.

3,400 lbs · 1,542 kg

First year

1981

The fiberglass boatbuilding boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s yielded some of North America’s most enduring pocket cruisers, and among the lesserknown gems of this era is the Sonic 23. Designed by Canadian naval architect Joseph D’Alessio and introduced in 1981 by Sonic Sailboats Limited (later known as Sonic Marine) of Etobicoke, Ontario, the boat was conceived during a competitive peak in the trailerable pocketcruiser market. In creating the Sonic 23, D'Alessio sought to strike a difficult balance: a light, easily handled, and trailerable boat that did not sacrifice the solid, stable feel of a larger keelboat. During the early design phases of the Sonic line, renowned yacht designer Ted Brewer was brought in as a consultant. Brewer famously praised the builder’s smallshop operation, noting that their fiberglass layup was exceptionally clean and their attention to detail was a rarity in highvolume production boatbuilding of the era. This structural pedigree has allowed many Sonic 23s to survive in remarkably sound condition, serving as highly capable weekenders and club racers on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and coastal waters.