Design Brief & Intent
El Mar Boat Company operated with an uncompromising construction philosophy, utilizing heavy, hand-laid solid fiberglass layups that have contributed significantly to the hull's long-term durability. While competing builders focused on lightness to facilitate effortless ramp-launching, E.A. Brown designed the Sundance 23 around the principles of structural integrity and stability. The primary mission of the vessel was to serve as an offshore-capable coastal cruiser and pocket passage-maker.
The interior fit-out reflects this utilitarian, safety-conscious ethos. Below deck, the layout is arranged in a classic four-to-five berth configuration: a V-berth forward, a compact galley station situated to starboard, and a settee that converts into a double berth. Structural fiberglass liners add strength to the hull while simplifying cleaning, and the joinery is accented with traditional teak trim. Storage is tucked generously beneath the settees and the V-berth, capitalizing on the hull's volume to make the vessel suitable for multi-day cruising rather than mere afternoon excursions.
Variations & Configurations
The core of the Sundance 23 design is its masthead sloop rig paired with a fixed 3.5-foot deep fin keel. The fin keel houses 1,200 pounds of lead ballast, keeping the center of gravity low and structural complications to a minimum compared to contemporary swing-keel designs.
The most notable production evolution occurred in 1976 with the introduction of the pop-top cabin design. Early hulls featured a fixed coachroof that limited standing headroom to approximately five feet. The pop-top mechanism allowed owners to lift the cabin roof while at anchor or slip, dramatically increasing standing headroom and providing excellent cross-ventilation. Propulsion options also varied; while a tiny minority of custom orders featured small inboard gasoline or diesel engines, the vast majority utilized a transom-mounted outboard motor bracket, which preserved the structural integrity of the bilge and maximized interior storage.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The physical handling of the Sundance 23 is defined by its conservative displacement of 3,300 pounds. Carrying a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 36.36%, the boat is notably stiff. It resists initial heeling far better than lighter 23-footers, allowing the crew to carry full sail into moderate breezes before needing to reef.
With a displacement-to-length ratio of 217.52, the boat is classified as a light-to-moderate cruiser. This gives the hull the necessary momentum to punch through head seas and steep lake chop without slamming or stalling. This solid behavior is corroborated by a motion comfort ratio of 15.87, which is remarkably high for a vessel under 23 feet, translating to a highly predictable and dry ride. The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 19.78 indicates a well-balanced masthead sail plan. The boat carries enough sail area to move efficiently in light air, yet remains docile and balanced when the wind rises. Maneuverability is responsive thanks to the fin keel and spade rudder, though helmsmen will notice that it lacks the strict directional tracking of a full-keeled yacht. A capsize screening ratio of 2.15 underscores that while the boat is exceptionally stable for coastal and Great Lakes operations, it remains a pocket cruiser intended for coastal rather than blue-water ocean voyaging.
Known Issues & Triage
Given the vintage of these vessels, a thorough structural assessment is crucial. The most prevalent concern centers on deck core delamination. Like many builders of the 1970s, El Mar utilized balsa coring in the deck construction. Over decades, water can compromise the seals around the chainplates, stanchion bases, the mast step, or the pop-top rails. Water intrusion leads to localized rotting of the balsa core, presenting as soft, springy sections underfoot. Triage requires drilling test holes, removing the rotted wood, and infusing the area with epoxy or replacing the core with marine-grade plywood or foam.
On the 3.5-foot fin keel models, the keel-to-hull joint should be inspected for structural separation, occasionally visible as a fine crack at the leading edge known as a keel smile. While the original construction is heavy, past groundings can stress the joint. The remedy involves retorquing the internal keel bolts and sealing the exterior joint with a flexible polyurethane sealant. Additionally, on pop-top models, the vinyl or rubber gaskets around the lifting section degrade with UV exposure. Replacing these seals is essential to prevent rain and spray from entering the cabin.
Modernization & Upgrades
With the original manufacturer long out of business, updates to the Sundance 23 are driven entirely by the aftermarket. The original robust Kenyon 3049 mast section remains highly durable, but modern owners frequently run new, tinned marine-grade wiring through the spar and replace aging aluminum sheaves with low-friction composite blocks.
A highly popular and successful modification is the transition to electric auxiliary propulsion. Due to the boat's modest scale and the simplicity of its transom-mounted outboard bracket, installing a high-torque electric outboard is relatively straightforward. Pairing this motor with a lithium iron phosphate battery bank significantly reduces maintenance and eliminates the smell of gasoline in the cabin. To support this system, owners often mount a solar panel array on the cabin top or stern pulpit, allowing the house bank and propulsion batteries to remain topped off off-grid.
The Verdict
The Sundance 23 stands as a sturdy, "big-feeling" pocket cruiser that prioritizes safety, stiff handling, and structural durability over raw racing speed. Designed to tame the chop of the Great Lakes, it offers a reassuring and predictable motion that easily outclasses lighter trailer-sailers of the same era. For budget-conscious sailors seeking a tough coastal cruiser with standing headroom at anchor, this vintage monohull represents exceptional value.
Pros:
- Heavy, solid fiberglass construction provides excellent structural durability.
- Generous ballast-to-displacement ratio delivers an exceptionally stiff and stable ride.
- Pop-top cabin design dramatically increases headroom and ventilation when anchored.
- High motion comfort ratio translates to a predictable, dry, and comfortable ride for its size.
- Simple masthead sloop rig makes the boat highly manageable for single-handed sailing.
Cons:
- Heavy displacement and a fixed fin keel make the boat difficult to trailer and ramp-launch frequently.
- Manufacturer is long defunct, meaning model-specific replacement parts must be custom-fabricated.
- Balsa-cored decks are highly susceptible to rot if hardware seals are neglected.
- Headroom is limited to approximately five feet when the pop-top cabin is closed.
