Sonic 23

The Sonic 23 is a Canadian sailboat, that was designed by Joseph D'Alessio and first built in 1981.^[1][2][3]

Sonic 23

Development
Designer	Joseph D'Alessio
Location	Canada
Year	1981
Builder	Sonic Sailboats Limited
Name	Sonic 23
Boat
Displacement	3,400 lb (1,542 kg)
Draft	3.75 ft (1.14 m)
Hull
Type	Monohull
Construction	Fibreglass
LOA	23.00 ft (7.01 m)
LWL	20.00 ft (6.10 m)
Beam	7.58 ft (2.31 m)
Engine type	outboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board type	fin keel
Ballast	1,500 lb (680 kg)
Rudder	transom-mounted rudder
Rig
General	Masthead sloop
I foretriangle height	27.00 ft (8.23 m)
J foretriangle base	10.00 ft (3.05 m)
P mainsail luff	23.00 ft (7.01 m)
E mainsail foot	9.30 ft (2.83 m)
Sails
Mainsail area	106.95 sq ft (9.936 m2)
Jib/genoa area	135.00 sq ft (12.542 m2)
Total sail area	241.95 sq ft (22.478 m2)
Racing
PHRF	228 (average)

Production

The boat was built by Sonic Sailboats Limited in Canada starting in 1981, but is now out of production.^[1][3]

Design

Sonic 23 on its cradle showing the keel configuration

Sonic 23

A Sonic 23 sailboat showing the "pop-up" companion way hatch cover in its extended position.

The Sonic 23 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder and a fixed fin keel. It also has a pop-up companionway hatch. It displaces 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) and carries 1,500 lb (680 kg) of iron ballast.^[1][2][3]

The boat has a draft of 3.75 ft (1.14 m) with the standard keel. It has provisions for an outboard motor.^[1][3]

The boat has a PHRF racing average handicap of 228 with a high of 240 and low of 225. It has a hull speed of 5.99 kn (11.09 km/h).^[2][3]

Operational history

In a review Michael McGoldrick wrote, "Many people regard the Sonic as a close approximation of the very popular Tanzer 22, and the hull and sail plan of these two boats are believed to be very similar. However, the Sonic 23 was designed from scratch by Joseph D'Alessio, and it comes with a sightly larger cabin with a better layout. (It has sitting headroom which increases to 6' with the pop top.). The Sonic's interior room may give it the edge over the Tanzer 22 which is known for being a good sailing boat, but which suffers from cabin which appears a little cramped. From this perspective, the Sonic may be a better choice for cruising."^[4]

See also

• List of sailing boat types