BLAZER 23 (PETERSON)

About the BLAZER 23 (PETERSON)

Peterson design #84. Also called BLAZER 740.

The Blazer 23 is a compact, fractional sloop designed by Doug Peterson and built by Stephenson Sailboats in Australia, with production records indicating a single year of construction in 1980. This lightweight vessel, displacing 1700.0 lb, represents a specific era of Australian trailerable boat design, though the exact total hull count remains unverified in available data.

Best for:

This boat is best suited for coastal cruising and daysailing, particularly for owners seeking a trailerable package that can be easily transported and stored. Its light displacement and fractional rig make it responsive for short-range cruising, though its limited storage and single-year production suggest it is more of a niche recreational cruiser than a long-term liveaboard.

Bluewater capability:

With a low displacement of 1700.0 lb, a comfort ratio of 7.75, and a capsize ratio of 2.68, the Blazer 23 is not designed for extended bluewater passages. Its light weight and variable keel configuration suggest it is intended for protected coastal waters rather than open ocean voyaging.

Comparables:

Comparable vessels include other late-1970s to early-1980s trailerable sloops such as the O'Day 23 or Catalina 22, which share similar length overall (23.0 ft) and fractional sloop rigs. However, the Blazer 23 distinguishes itself with a significantly lower displacement (1700.0 lb) compared to its heavier American contemporaries, offering a different performance profile focused on speed over stability.