Index

SJ23 Keels - USA (Mark  II & MarkIII), Kiwi (Fleetwood 25) & Ausy (Windward 7).

SJ23 MARK II - Below the water line the Mark II sports the same keel as the SJ7.7M.  In checking the floor I could not find a force grid to support the extra leverage of the heavier, deeper keel.  I presume one is imbedded under the sole.  These keel photos were taken of a 1984 Mark II, serial number 665, with the bottom paint stripped off.  The holes were filled, the hull was faired and after a couple coats of antifouling paint, she went back in the water.  BUT, this is a SJ23 Mark II and from these pictures you can see the outline of where the original Mark I shoal draft keel was attached.  Now you know how the factory attached the fixed keel on a Mark II. 

From these photos one has to conclude that this hull started life as a Mark I and was converted to a Mark II.  This hull could have been the original Mark II prototype as I doubt that all Mark IIs are converted from a Mark I.  That is just too costly.  But then, only 13 or so were ever manufactured, so who knows. 

Below the water line the keel is 160 lbs heavier and much deeper creating a higher righting moment.  The deep foil shape also generates lift that helps upwind speed.  As a result she feels a bit heavier on the water and sails a bit stiffer.  On deck the Mark II sports a 2' taller mast with the Mark I boom.  The mast and boom extrusions are the same profile as the Mark I.  

I have sailed on this boat when it belonged to four owners ago sailing on Wabamun Lake.  She is a wonderful stable platform to enjoy wine and cheese at 6 knots.  Bob Schimmel.

SJ23 Mark II, Lanna Ann - Sailing through the San Juan Islands.

SJ23 Mark II, Beliza - This updated photo shows the below the water line details better to give you a good idea of the 7.7M keel.  Beliza is a 1983 MkII SJ23 sailing in the Puget Sound area.  We'll learn more about Beleza later.  Shannon Glass.

SJ23 Mark III 2009-12-07 - Since there is so much interest around center boards and keels I've posted Eric's wing keel SJ23 in high resolution so you can see the keel in full detail.  These photos are of the last version of an American SJ23, hull #2, 1983.   Only two hulls were built.  The floor is beefed up to support the extra leverage of the heavy wing keel.  She is the only SJ23 design with an inboard rudder and it draws only 24".  "I had a very difficult time keeping up to her with my SJ30.  I can tell you they were great performers.  As the last San Juan dealer we sold two San Juan 23s with a wing keel and inboard rudder.  Unfortunately the factory was not stable at that time and were not able to build any more.  The shallow draft boat was very practical because it drew 23" and still pointed well.  The people I sold it to kept it for 11 years until their son graduated from college and bought a C&C 36.  They were very happy with the performance and kept the boat in the water after the first year.  They would cruise from Everett, Washington to the San Juan Island several times a year and found it better than taking the ferry to the island".   Gene Adams

Here are photos of the my wing keel SJ23 that Gene talked about.  "I can vouch for it's nice pointing qualities and downwind performance.  Seeing the frowns on 30' plus boats as you pass upwind or downwind gives a warm fuzzy feeling.  Tacking.... well I have yet to get that down as I'm still a sailor in training.  From my knot hole view, it looses out on crisp tacking due to the shallow draft but you can't have EVERYTHING.  It does sit higher on the trailer than a SJ23 MKI and is therefore more difficult to launch and retrieve as the trailer must be deeper in the water to slide the hull off to clear the bracing.  I usually launch and retrieve once a year using a travel lift as I find that much easier.  They also pressure wash any growth from the bottom and collect the antifouling debris rather than let it pollute the water."  Cheers   Erik.

I like the method that Erik uses for securing the keel to the trailer.  Many fin keel boats use this technique.  It just easier to grip the keel when it has wings on the bottom.  Hold down straps right at the support posts are perfect.  Lots of you have been asking about trailers lately and this one might interest you.  It is sold by Quality Trailers, 1-800-244-7342.

From the Current Owner - "She was repainted in 2004 with a red a primer and white top coat.  Notice the difference in the keel shape and the inboard rudder.  When my rudder modifications are complete, the stock will fit inside a 3" ID tube in the hull and it will be held in place by a square bronze plate, circular ring, topped by the tiller.

As far as I can tell she was the last SJ23 that was made (1988 fixed keel, H2).  She has a 28' tall mast with 1100 lb lead winged keel, inboard rudder (same as on the SJ24) and custom interior.  She started life as a Mark I as there are fluctuations on the hull where the shoal keel used to be.  They are now filled in and replaced by the new wing keel.  I am the third owner and she is moored in the Pacific North West.  I have enjoyed sailing her in Puget Sound for just over a month now.  At this point in time (2006) I sail her solo.  I have added a jib down haul line to make dousing sails easier with fewer trips to the bow.  I plan to haul her out this winter for an overhaul to make her easier to single hand.  Items on the list are a CDI FF2 roller furling system and I'm thinking of painting her bottom with a Teflon paint.  Along with the major projects, the normal stuff will also be taken care of like replacing the window/hatch seals, and buff & polish the gel coat.

From the limited view of the keel support, viewed by lifting the (2x.5)' long bilge board on the cabin sole, it seems rather beefy.  I have spoken with the builder and the original owner who both indicate the build came in over the designed 3200 lbs.  The transom was overbuilt by several hundred pounds.  The owner indicated that the depth sounder hull fitting goes through nearly 2" of glass and resin, ~3' forward of the keel."  Erik Nystuen

Click on photo above for a high resolution photo of the keel.  Looks to me there is no post to support a table.  Both the Mark II and Mark III were designed on a restaurant napkin!  So were the Eiffel Tower and the Seattle Space Needle.  Interesting stuff.   The designs worked though, since the boat is fast and the other two are still standing!
 

KIWI SJ23 (Fleetwood 25) - This hull design is basically a Mark I with an extended transom to create a cockpit engine well forward of the inboard rudder.  I have no idea who in New Zealand manufactured it or when.

AUSY SJ23 (Windward 7) - The hull of this version appears to be the same as the Mark I, with the exception of a few items that make it more livable down under.  Notice the double lower shrouds, the much larger double windows.  What you can't see is the aluminum framed forward hatch and the internal swing keel as opposed to an external fixed keel.  It draws only 12" of water.  Below it is shown resting on a trailer.  Sure makes ramp launching and retrieval a lot easier.  Camping on the beach would be great as well.  I'm told the boats were made in Queensland but I don't know by who.  

MY DREAM VERSION - Now if I had my choice, I would take the Mark III hull and wing keel, add opening windows, the stronger Ausy rigging and the Kiwi transom with inboard rudder hung on a skedge.  Combine those features with a small 2 cylinder inboard diesel equipped with a folding prop and I would be very happy.  But then I would want standing head room so an SJ28 would be the next logical move.  A shower would be nice.  You just can't please some people can you? 
 

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