AQUARIUS 23 (AUSTRALIA)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 23 ft |
| LWL | 18.33 ft |
| Beam | 8 ft |
| Draft | 4 ft/ 2 ft min |
| Displacement | 4,000 lb |
| Ballast | 1,400 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Mainsail | 137 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 126 sq ft |
About the AQUARIUS 23 (AUSTRALIA)
Sail area: -Main: 137 ft² -Jib: 126 ft² -Genoa: 230 ft² -Spinnaker: 358-406 ft² Specs from an ad found on John Crawford Marine's website: https://www.johncrawfordmarine.com.au/resources/trailer-sailer. A great resource for information on trailer-sailers in Australia.
The Aquarius 23 is a compact 23.0 ft masthead sloop built by Aquarius Yachts (AUS) in 1979, designed for efficient coastal cruising. With a displacement of 4000.0 lb and a beam of 8.0 ft, it offers a comfortable ratio of 19.63, balancing stability with manageable size for single-handers or couples.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend warriors who prioritize ease of handling and storage, as evidenced by the high prevalence of bimini installations (36 mentions) and portable outboard engines like Yamaha (45) and Tohatsu (41).
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.02 and a relatively light displacement of 4000.0 lb, the Aquarius 23 is best suited for protected coastal waters rather than extended bluewater passages, where its small size and light ballast ratio may limit heavy-weather performance.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other late-1970s 23-footers like the Cal 23 or O'Day 23, which share similar displacement ranges and masthead sloop configurations, though the Aquarius distinguishes itself with its specific Australian build heritage and variable keel options.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the AQUARIUS 23 (AUSTRALIA) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 23ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
12 reported issues across 7 systems for the AQUARIUS 23 (AUSTRALIA), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a AQUARIUS 23 (AUSTRALIA)? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 12 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the AQUARIUS 23 (AUSTRALIA)
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