International 23

Description

The International 23 is a compact, trailerable cruiser-racer sailboat designed by Johannes "Jopie" Helsen and built by International Yacht Corp. in Clearwater, Florida, starting in 1975, with production continuing into the late 1970s as a versatile daysailer and overnighting option for inland and coastal waters. Featuring a fiberglass hull with a swing keel for shallow-draft versatility (board up: 1.33 ft/0.41 m; board down: 4.67 ft/1.42 m; fixed keel variant at 2.5 ft/0.76 m), the 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) LOA masthead sloop has an 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, 3,090 lb. (1,402 kg) displacement, 900 lb. (408 kg) ballast, and 245 ft² (22.76 m²) sail area (main: 101 ft²/9.35 m²; foretriangle: 144 ft²/13.37 m²), enabling solid performance with a sail-area/displacement ratio of 18.53 for lively handling in moderate winds and a hull speed of nearly 6 knots. Accommodating 4–5 crew with V-berth forward, settees amidships, and a small galley/head, it emphasizes affordability and ease of trailering (under 3,500 lb. rigged), though only a limited number were produced—making surviving examples sought-after for restoration; variants like the rare pilothouse model (HMS 23, ~5 built in 1976) add enclosed protection with a cutter rig and 220 ft² upwind sail, blending Helsen's practical Dutch-influenced design ethos with American production values for family cruising or club racing.