IMPERIAL 23
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 22.5 ft |
| LWL | 20 ft |
| Beam | 7.5 ft |
| Draft | 2.75 ft |
| Displacement | 2,700 lb |
| Ballast | 1,120 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.0 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 25 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 7.83 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 23 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10 ft |
| FLforestay | 7.8 ft |
| Mainsail | 222.1 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 97.9 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 166.4 sq ft |
About the IMPERIAL 23
This boat was also called the ISLANDER 23 in the UK. (Not to be confused with the Crealock designed ISLANDER 23 built in the US.)
The Imperial 23 is a compact, lightweight sloop designed by L. Wakefield and built by Russell Marine (UK) in 1966. With a production run of a single year and an unknown total hull count, this vessel represents a specific snapshot of mid-60s British boatbuilding.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruising and daysailing due to its light displacement of 2700.0 lb and shallow max draft of 2.75 ft, which facilitate easy trailering and access to shallow waters.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 2700.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 13.73, the Imperial 23 is not designed for offshore bluewater passage-making and is strictly limited to protected coastal waters.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other 22-24 ft trailerable sloops from the 1960s, such as the O'Day 22 or Pearson 22, which share similar dimensions and roles as affordable, manageable weekend cruisers.
Direct variant of the IMPERIAL 23
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the IMPERIAL 23 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 22.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the IMPERIAL 23yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a IMPERIAL 23? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your IMPERIAL 23?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the IMPERIAL 23
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…