sea sprite 23 sailboat data

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER). Built by C. E. Ryder and designed by Carl Alberg, the boat was first built in 1958. It has a hull type of Long Keel and LOA is 6.86. Its sail area/displacement ratio 17.70. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, contributions, who designed the sea sprite 23 (weekender).

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) was designed by Carl Alberg.

Who builds SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER)?

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) is built by C. E. Ryder.

When was SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) first built?

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) was first built in 1958.

How long is SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER)?

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) is 4.95 m in length.

What is mast height on SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER)?

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) has a mast height of 8.23 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

× You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

We Ship Worldwide! | FREE SHIPPING! for US Continental orders over $99. Click for details.

Shopping Cart

Your cart is currently empty..

FREE SHIPPING! for US Continental orders over $99 click for details

Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) - Sailboat Data, Parts & Rigging

Sailboat data, rig dimensions and recommended sail areas for Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) sailboat. Tech info about rigging, halyards, sheets, mainsail covers and more.

Sailboat Data directory for over 8,000 sailboat designs and manufacturers. Direct access to halyards lengths, recommended sail areas, mainsail cover styles, standing rigging fittings, and lots more for all cruising and racing sailboats.

MAURIPRO Sailing offers a full range of sailboat and sailing information to help you find the correct sailboat part, one that properly would fit your sailboat and sailing style. Our sailor's and sailboat owner support team are ready to talk with you about your specific sailing needs, coming regatta, or next sailing adventure.

From all at MAURIPRO, let's Go Sailing!

Copyright © 2024 MAURIPRO Sailing LLC.

• Register / Login

A password will be e-mailed to you

Reset Password

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER)

More information, image gallery, floor plans.

Use the form below to contact us!

• New Sailboats
• Sailboats 21-30ft
• Sailboats 31-35ft
• Sailboats 36-40ft
• Sailboats Over 40ft
• Sailboats Under 21feet
• used_sailboats
• Apps and Computer Programs
• Communications
• Fishfinders
• Handheld Electronics
• Plotters MFDS Rradar
• Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
• Anchoring Mooring
• Running Rigging
• Sails Canvas
• Standing Rigging
• Diesel Engines
• Off Grid Energy
• Cleaning Waxing
• DIY Projects
• Repair, Tools & Materials
• Spare Parts
• Tools & Gadgets
• Cabin Comfort
• Ventilation
• Footwear Apparel
• Foul Weather Gear
• Mailport & PS Advisor
• Inside Practical Sailor Blog
• Activate My Web Access
• Reset Password
• Customer Service

• Free Newsletter

Dufour 44 Used Boat Review

Blue Jacket 40 Used Boat Review

Catalina 270 vs. The Beneteau First 265 Used Boat Match-Up

Ericson 41 Used Boat Review

How to Create a Bullet-Proof VHF/SSB Backup

Tips From A First “Sail” on the ICW

Tillerpilot Tips and Safety Cautions

Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors

Solving the Dodger Dilemma

Polyester vs. Nylon Rode

Getting the Most Out of Older Sails

How (Not) to Tie Your Boat to a Dock

Fuel Lift Pump: Easy DIY Diesel Fuel System Diagnostic and Repair

Ensuring Safe Shorepower

Sinking? Check Your Stuffing Box

Why Choose the Wharram Design?

Winterizing: Make It Easy With Checklists

Boat Improvements for the Technically Illiterate

What Do You Do With Old Fiberglass Boats?

Stopping Holding-tank Odors

Giving Bugs the Big Goodbye

Galley Gadgets for the Cruising Sailor

The Rain Catcher’s Guide

Sailing Gear for Kids

What’s the Best Sunscreen?

UV Clothing: Is It Worth the Hype?

Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship Youth Voyage

On Watch: This 60-Year-Old Hinckley Pilot 35 is Also a Working…

On Watch: America’s Cup

On Watch: All Eyes on Europe Sail Racing

Dear Readers

• Sailboat Reviews

One of the oldest fiberglass boats, this traditional overnighter is long on looks, short on space.

The Sea Sprite 23 is a trim but rugged daysailer-overnighter from naval architect Carl A. Alberg that enjoyed a 25-year production run under several different Rhode Island builders, most notably Clarke Ryder. It’s a typical Alberg design—narrow beam, full keel and conservative ballast-to-displacement ratio and graceful lines. This is a boat that still turns heads when it sails into a harbor.

The origins of the Sea Sprite 23 go back to 1958 when the small American Boat Building company of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, wanted to expand its product line, consisting at the time of the Block Island 40. Carl Alberg, then in the U.S. Coast Guard, came up with a 22 1/2-foot, full-keel design. (We’re not sure what Alberg’s duties were in the Coast Guard, but they apparently left plenty of free time; besides the Sea Sprite, Alberg also drew the Pearson Triton and Bristol 27 while in the service.) The Sprite, incidentally, was first marketed as a 22; a later builder accentuated the positive and it became the 23.

American Boat Building employee Tom Potter Remembers being asked to test sail the new design. “We were terribly impressed by the boat, the way it performed.” It was, Potter said, typical of most of the boats Alberg would design over the years—”sensible boats you could take to sea.”

When American Boat Building dissolved during the early 1960s, production of the Sea Sprite was taken over by the nearby Wickford Shipyard, which built it for several years, after which the molds passed briefly to Sailstar, another small Rhode Island company, then to Clint Pearson, who was starting up his own Bristol Boat Company across Narragansett Bay.

Earlier, cousins Clint and Everett Pearson had obtained the rights to the Triton, which American Boat Building for some reason had not wanted. But when Bristol employee Paul Coble designed the Corsair 24, the rights to the Sea Sprite were sold to another Bristol builder, Clarke E. Ryder. This was about 1974, and Ryder continued to build the 23 until 1985 when his company folded.

Ryder built new molds for the boat, encapsulating the heretofore external lead keel and creating a self-bailing cockpit. Except for a few other minor changes and the introduction of hull colors besides white—bright red, blue and green—the Sea Sprite 23 built by Ryder (he began with hull #525) was fundamentally the same as the first off the line at American Boat Building. All told, the model reached a run of nearly 800 before Ryder closed the doors on this highly successful boat.

Like most of Alberg’s boats, the 23 is relatively narrow of beam (7′ 0″) and heavily ballasted—43 percent of its weight is in the full keel. Freeboard and superstructure are low, which makes for pleasing lines but less than spacious accommodations below. In short, this is a boat designed for sailing and not lounging around belowdecks.

With a waterline length of just 16′ 3″, the boat rated well (16.6) under the old Cruising Club of America (CCA) rules. It is intended to heel 30 degrees or so when underway (some regard this as initial tenderness), adding waterline length and increasing hull speed. The heeling angle plus the low freeboard—the rail gets close to the water—can bring an occasional dousing for the crew in a chop. But the boat is inherently stable, and the gentle sheer and distinctive overhangs add to its seagoing profile. The 23 draws only three feet, virtually shoal draft and less than many smaller boats.

Under the more modern PHRF rating system, which is a performance-based handicap system rather than a measurement rule, the Sprite has an average rating of about 270 seconds per mile—hardly a rule-beater, but reasonably fast for a full-keeled 23-footer. (One owner crowed about beating those “tubby” Cape Dorys—in all likelihood a competing Alberg design.)

The Sprite carries a modest 247 square feet of sail under main and working jib. (The newer O’Day 23, by contrast, is lighter by almost 300 pounds and has 246 square feet.) Early in its career, the Sea Sprite also came in a daysailer model, with an eight-foot cockpit instead of the standard six, and with two berths below instead of four, and no galley or icebox. Apparently few were made, which is understandable because the standard model has ample cockpit space and little enough room below.

Construction

The hull, deck and cabinhouse of the Ryder-built boats are solid, hand-laid fiberglass for a tight, sound body. One owner called the boat “overbuilt.” The hull/deck joint is a typical inward flange sealed with 3M 5200 and fastened with machine screws.

Most fiberglass boats older than 10 to 15 years show deterioration of the gelcoat and require painting. This will be true of many used Sea Sprites, too. None of the owners who responded to our survey reported gelcoat blistering, however. Some of the earlier models seemed to experience slight leaks around the mast step or chainplates; several of the Ryder boats apparently had leaking from the pulpit stanchions. Otherwise, the interiors are reported to be dry. Overall, the Sea Sprites seem to be structurally sound with no major repairs called for and few, if any, cosmetic problems. A 1983 model we sailed looked almost new.

The Sea Sprite was built as a top-of-the-line “sailing yacht,” as company literature described it. The quality shows in the non-skid surfaces on the deck and deckhouse, the standard bronze hardware, including opening portlights, and in the generous use of wood—mahogany coamings and backrest and teak grabrails above, and lots of teak trim below. Ryder introduced a full interior liner (previous models were painted fiberglass), and the judicious use of holly and teak helps offset the shiny white surfaces. We don’t know whether the Sea Sprite’s teak cockpit grids were standard on all models, but they are a nice touch.

The boats, at least the Ryder version, carry a 30- foot fractionally rigged mast by Hall Spars. The mast is deck-stepped and halyards are led internally. The small deckhouse makes for a roomy foredeck, which is reached via comfortably wide walkways.

Performance

Several of our readers say the Sea Sprite exhibits fairly sluggish light-air performance, which is a common complaint among smaller full-keel boats. Others have found that raising a 130- or 150-percent genoa in winds under 10 knots makes a definite improvement.

Performance improves noticeably as the wind pipes up and the boat digs in. Although the rail is near the water, the boat, once in its sailing mode, seems very stable and the steering nicely balanced with just a hint of weather helm. The low freeboard enhances the feeling of being on the water which, for a small-boat enthusiast at least, is worth the occasional spray in a head sea. And while the keel-hung rudder doesn’t respond as rapidly as a spade would, the 23 tacks smartly enough. One owner, who now sails a J/Boat, remembered his Sea Sprite’s tacking ability as “not unreasonably slow.”

This is a small boat that handles well when the going gets rough and goes readily offshore—no worries about early reefing here. One owner we know said he “never thought twice” about sailing his Sea Sprite to Block Island or Cuttyhunk. In fact, Ryder used to tout a transatlantic trip—60 days from Wickford, Rhode Island to Falmouth, England—made in 1974 by a 21-year-old singlehander as evidence of the boat’s ocean-going qualities. (The only damage—to the skipper—occurred when he tripped on the dock in England and broke his ankle.)

Moving under power, however, is another matter. A 4-hp outboard, which is located in a well aft of the tiller, will get the boat to hull speed; anything smaller is a strain, more than 6 hp and you may experience control problems. The outboard well is the usual nuisance and several readers surveyed either had banished the motor below or would like to. The best that can be said for the well is that it preserves the lines of the boat. Outboard performance is inversely proportionate to wind and waves. Having once fought a losing battle against gusting winds, tide and current, with ground speed reduced to about zero, we can attest to the Sea Sprite’s poor performance under power in these conditions. If only the channel had been wide enough to hoist the sails….

Ryder for a time offered an optional Yanmar Model 1 GM diesel. This would no doubt eliminate many of the headaches associated with the outboard motor and well, but the weight and expense of an inboard seems difficult to justify. None of the readers responding to our questionnaire own inboard models.

Down below, the cabin is light and reasonably airy with two opening ports and a smoked hatch. Despite some complaints about the lack of room (even Clarke Ryder says the interior is best suited for stowing stuff) we found there was satisfactory sitting headroom if you are under six feet. The 6′ 0″ V-berths are too short and have minimal clearance; the 6′ 3″ settee berths in the main cabin disappear quickly under the cockpit seats. This is an interior that is definitely not for the claustrophobic, but at least you won’t need lee cloths. The marine head (many owners have replaced it with a portable head) is located in a wedge at the foot of the V-berths where its virtual inaccessibility makes the privacy issue moot. To be fair, this is typical of the arrangements on most boats of this size.

To starboard, between the forward and main berths, is the “galley,” consisting of a sink and some stowage. To port, there’s an insulated icebox and more dry storage. The sink, fed by a 10-gallon fiberglass water tank under the starboard berth, drains via a through-hull. The icebox drains into the bilge. There’s more stowage, under bunks and here and there, but it’s basically covered openings to the bilge. On deck, there’s good storage space in a port locker and a fuel locker to starboard that’s sized for a three-gallon tank.

Conclusions

The Sea Sprite 23 isn’t for everyone. A lack of space and accommodations relegates it to the daysailer/occasional overnighter category. Although it lacks cruising luxuries, it is an exceptional daysailer—seaworthy and strongly built, and with a sailing range that belies its small size. Its stability and ease of handling make it a good choice for the older sailor who doesn’t need a big boat anymore, or for a small family primarily interested in day sailing.

We saw several Sea Sprites listed for sale this past fall (1991) in the $6,500 range—a good price for a well-built boat that’s going to be around for a while. Older Sprites originally sold for $5,000 (minus sails) with the later Ryder models going for about $11,000.

The Sprites can be said to have held their value well while still representing a bargain relative to what you get. As Clarke Ryder says, “They sail like a charm and they’re pretty. People who have them love them.”

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

The Performance Sailboat from Island Packet: Blue Jacket 40 Boat Review

Top 3 Winter Boat HACKS!

Cabo Rico 34 Boat Review

Super Shallow Draft Sailboat: The Leeboard Sharpie

Latest sailboat review.

• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Online Account Activation
• Privacy Manager

Specifications SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER)

Home - Sailboat Listings 1958 - 22.50 ft / 6.86 m - C.E.Ryder/Sailstar Boats/Seasprite Co. (USA) - Carl Alberg

SEA SPRITE 23 (WEEKENDER) Sailboat Data

Hull Type: Long Keel Rigging Type: Fractional Sloop LOA: 22.50 ft / 6.86 m LWL: 16.25 ft / 4.95 m S.A. (reported): 247.00 ft² / 22.95 m² Beam: 7.00 ft / 2.13 m Displacement: 3,350.00 lb / 1,520 kg Ballast: 1,400.00 lb / 635 kg Max Draft: 3.10 ft / 0.94 m Construction: FG First Built: 1958 Builder: C.E.Ryder/Sailstar Boats/Seasprite Co. (USA) Designer: Carl Alberg

Information from  sailboatdata.com .

Hull Speed: 5.40 kn

SEA SPRITE ASSOCIATION

For sea sprite sailboat lovers everywhere.

THE SEA SPRITE SAILBOAT HISTORY

I would love to tell you that what follows is an accurate, factual account of the history of the sea sprite boats, and that I poured over old company records, boat registrations at the State, etc. to be able to compile a list of all the boats that were constructed and who bought them.

Here is a fun story told through the brochures of the manufacturers of the Sprites. The Sea Sprites started in the 1960’s being built by firms that started and collapsed, ending with the closing of CERyder in the late 1980’s. I dug out these old brochures from my old SSA files to piece together the story, and I have added at the end a Forum thread from 2007 that is a vaguely recalled oral history that adds to the story. If you, the reader, can add to the story, I would be happy to include your thoughts.

THE SS23 STORY

Hope Valley, circa. early 1960’s. Deep in the southwest part of RI a fiberglass constructor names Herman Wyss made a mold and began building SS23’s. The boat was called a Sea Sprite Cruiser, and for all the world sounds like the Weekender. It had 4 finished bunks, an ice box, sink, water tank, and a marine head. Here is a listing for the Cruiser dated 1966:

Below is a copy of Mr. Wyss’s obituary from the Providence Journal dated dated March 12, 1999:

Herman Wyss, Jr, 81 , of Hopkinton, Rhode Island , owner and operator of a fiberglass business in Hope Valley, R.I. for 20 years died Friday at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Hazel (Maynard) Wyss.

Born in Georgia, a son of the late Herman Sr. and Stephanie (Tyszkiewicz), he had been a resident of Exeter before moving to Hopkinton 20 years ago. He aslo owned a Hope Valley boat building business and built the Sea Sprite. He was an Army veteran of World War II, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

He leaves 3 sons, Robert, Thomas and William Wyss, all of Rhode Island; a step daughter, Deborah Bailey of Wakefield; a brother, Raymond Wyss of Forster, RI; a sister, Lucy Masciarelli of Hendersonville, NC; and a step-grandson, Wayne bailey of saunderstown, RI. He was the brother of the lateJ. Arthur Wyss.

Somewhere around the mid-60’s a boat builder called Sailstar, located in West Warwick, began production of the sea sprite Day Sailor. It is the Day Sailor we know today. Here is a SailStar brochure listing both the Cruiser and the Day Sail. Apparently both Sea Sprite Boats (Wyss) in Hope Valley and Sail Star were marketing the Cruiser, but Sailstar had recruited Carl Alberg (see page 2 of the following brochure) to “modify the popular SS to convert her into a roomy and comfortable day sailor”. Thus the Day Sailor is born.

Boat builders came and went in those days. Clint Pearson bought out SailStar in 1964. By 1970 a company on Oak Hill Rd in North Kingston named Sea Sprites, Inc. was producing only the Day Sailor. Here is their 1970 price listing:

One year later, in 1971, Sea Sprite Inc. has moved to Wickford Shipyard who offered not only the day sailor but once again the racer cruiser!! Check out the next 2 brochures. The first describes the Cruiser…

And the second brochure describes the Day Sailor…

By 1979 CERyder, Corp, in Bristol, RI, was the sole builder of sea sprites. He manufactured only the SS23 cruiser/racer but with a number of changes. The lead keel was fully encapsulated with fiberglass and integrated to the hull. The interior had a full liner, and portholes were bronze. A diesel engine was optional. The boats had to be ordered, and were manufactured at the Gooding Avenue plant in Bristol, RI, and were constructed side-by-each with their bigger brethren the SS27/30/34’s.

A price list from 1981 shows a diesel engine “ready to run” as optional:

The classic Ryder brochure:

THE SS27/30/34 STORY

At the same time Ryder began constructing the Weekender, he began building the Luder-designed sisterships of the SS23. The boats were all built to order at the Gooding Avenue facility in Bristol, RI, side-by-each. The 27 and the 34 enjoyed a good run until Ryder closed up in the late 80’s. The 30, less popular (folks wanted wither a bigger or a lesser boat), sold about 20 boats.

Here is the brochure describing the entire line:

Here is a specific brochure for the Sea Sprite 27:

Here is an article from Spinsheet describing the SS30. I do not have a brochure for the boat, but I think the article is thorough:

The Sea Sprite 30, built by Rhode Island’s C. E. Ryder Co., may be easily overlooked by sailors unfamiliar with the model or the builder, but this small cruiser offers traditional style, good cruising accommodations for her size, well above-average quality, and perhaps a bargain price.

Many sailors are more familiar with Ryder’s Gilmer-designed Southern Cross series of double-ended cruisers introduced at the 1975 Annapolis Sailboat Show than with their Sea Sprite series. Actually, Ryder began building its Sea Sprite series a year earlier when it took over production of the Carl Alberg-designed Sea Sprite 23 in 1974. Following the success of the Sea Sprite 23, the 28-foot, 30-foot, and 34-foot models were subsequently introduced, and all remained in production until 1986. 

Although sometimes confused on the water with similar Alberg-designed Cape Dory models, the Sea Sprite 28, 30, and 34 models were all designed by Alfred “Bill” Luders (1909-1999). The Sea Sprite 30 shares nearly identical overall and waterline lengths with the Cape Dory 30. However, she has a slightly higher freeboard, is six inches wider, and is most easily distinguished by her 7/8 fractional rig as compared to Cape Dory’s masthead cutter rig. I suspect some Cape Dory owners will argue, but I believe another distinguishing factor is that the Sea Sprite 30 is a step above the Cape Dory in quality of construction. 

Unique for a production boatbuilder of the early 1980s, Sea Sprite hulls are constructed with Airex, a PVC foam core between inner and outer laminates of fiberglass cloth and polyester resin. The result is a stiff, yet strong and relatively light hull. The deck is also a cored composite built with a Balsa rather than Airex core for its superior properties in this application. The interior structures are all wood with no fiberglass pans or liners for structural support.

Several construction features I feel set the Sea Sprite 30 apart from her competition include fillets at the attachment of bulkheads to spread the loads and prevent hard spots, bulkheads that are attached to both the hull and deck, a hull-to-deck joint that is bolted on six-inch centers, and stainless steel chainplates bolted to structural members that better distribute rigging loads. 

On deck, my favorite feature is the teak toe rail that is twice as large as those found on other boats of this size. If you don’t like it for its rugged looks alone, you’re sure to appreciate it the first time you ever have to make a headsail change in nasty weather. Teak handrails, cockpit combings, dorade boxes, and an “eyebrow” above the cabin ports all contribute to the traditional, yacht-like appearance, but do add to the maintenance chores. All bronze ports also add to the look, with the added advantage that they don’t wear out after 10 to 15 years of service.

The cockpit is comfortable, as wheel steering is standard equipment, and there is plenty of readily accessible storage in port and starboard seat lockers and a small lazarette. 

Down below, the arrangement is simple and proven to work for more than 50 years. A V-berth cabin forward is followed by a port head and starboard hanging locker. There are mirror image settees in the main saloon and a galley aft separated by the companionway. Eight opening ports and two deck hatches provide good ventilation. And, with a displacement of 10,000 pounds, there is plenty of volume for good storage and 55 gallons of potable water in two tanks. An abundance of solid and laminated teak joinery is offset by light colors to avoid a dark interior.

Auxiliary power was provided by a freshwater-cooled, two-cylinder Universal Marine diesel engine which, at 3600 RPM, produces a rather anemic 11+ horsepower. This is adequate for most days on the Chesapeake Bay or coastal cruising, but a 10,000-pound boat needs 18 to 20 horsepower for severe conditions or serious bluewater cruising.

Luders is perhaps best regarded as a designer for his successful 5.5-meter racing sloops, so it stands to reason that he would know a thing or two about designing relatively heavy boats that sail well. It seems he did. With a displacement length ratio of 419 and a sail area/displacement ratio of 14.65, the Sea Sprite 30 was heavy even by early 1980s standards, but she has proven to be quite responsive even in light to moderate winds. Let it blow 15 knots or more, and the advantages of a 41-percent ballast/displacement ratio, a fractional rig, and a tapered mast become apparent in her stiff and stable performance. With a 22-foot waterline and rather long overhangs, she does tend to hobbyhorse in short choppy seas, and it becomes more important to keep excess weight out of the ends.

As of November 1, three Sea Sprite 30s were offered for sale at Yachtworld.com with an average asking price of $37,300, while the average of the last four reported sales was $35,700. 

For comparison, the last four reported sales of early 1890s Cape Dory 30s averaged $31,750, and the last three reported sales of Morris Yacht’s 29 Annie model, from the same era, averaged $64,600. While I’ll admit that the Sea Sprite 30 doesn’t enjoy the same reputation of an Annie, and perhaps may not be quite up to the quality, she’s not far behind, and I believe offers excellent value for anyone looking for a capable cruiser in this size range.

Specifications: LOA 30’ 2” LWL 22’ Beam 9’ 6” Displacement 10,000 lbs Draft 4’ 9”

Reviewed in the December 2007 issue of SpinSheet by Jack Hornor

Here is the brochure for the Sea Sprite 34:

AN ORAL HISTORY CIRCA 2007 FROM THE FORUM

I have copied a thread from the Forum in 2007 led by Robert Gainer and Dennis, an avid SS sailor at that time. Robert Gainor as a young 17 yo sailed a SS23 from Wickford, RI, to Falmouth, ENGLAND. He wrote a book about the trip entitled “Presumed Lost: The Saga of Robert Gainer”. He unfortunately died in 2008, and is remembered fondly:

We mourn the loss of Robert Gainer, a beloved member of The Beacon Institute family and staff.  He died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, February 17, 2008. 

Bob was a unique man. His kindness and quiet ways belied a deep intellect and diverse talents.  As our maritime specialist, he was responsible for the redesign and outfitting of our research vessel, design and deployment of our docks at Beacon Harbor, and troubleshooting the computers and internal network at our 199 Main Street office. On weekends he conducted education programs in boatbuilding and marlinspike seamanship for school children.  Bob was to be a key part of our deployment team for the Rivers and Estuaries Observatory Network. He was a navigation expert, accomplished sailor, boat designer and builder, computer whiz, and talented teacher whose special skills made him an instant hit with the young.  Bob never lorded his expertise over adults either. Instead he would eagerly use an opportune moment to add to the knowledge of another.  

In his early twenties Bob sailed solo across the Atlantic. After a period during which he has out of contact with the world ashore, he was presumed and reported dead.  After he turned up alive he was made a guest on the television quiz show “I’ve got a Secret.”  Bob was known the world over for his sailing and navigation expertise. Online forums contain beautifully written explanations in Bob’s patient prose where he answers the arcane queries of sailors and others hoping to glean some of his knowledge.  But those of us who worked side-by-side with Bob will miss the gentle soul who sought solutions rather than fret over problems, who enjoyed making easier the lives of those around him, and who believed in kindness always.  He will be sorely missed. 

— John Cronin

Here is the oral history thread:

I’m in the planning stages of changing boats. In past years I’ve owned a Cape Dory 28, Cape Dory 31 and a Vindo 45. Right now I own a Catalina 22. I took a dozen years off from sailing and now sail and will continue to sail on Lake Sunapee in NH instead of the coast of Maine. I love the lines of a good classic boat and 22 – 23 feet is about what I want. I have a retarded and handicapped daughter that my wife and I have been able to figure out how to get her below easily and maintain her securely in the Catalina. I am confident that I can do that with a Sea Sprite. As we are on a lake, and I love wood work I am drawn to the day sailer. The only manufacturer of the daysailer that I’ve seen is sailstar, but on this forum I keep hearing people talk about CE Ryder as the builder of choice. Does it matter? How could I tell? I have a lead on a daysailer how do I tell who built it, and do I really care?

Jul 07, 2007 #2

As far as I know Ryder only built the weekender version. My second Sea Sprite was a weekender built by Sea Sprite in Wickford with Ryder only doing the fiberglass work for the boat and Sea Sprite doing the rest. At that time the weekender was the only model you could buy. My first Sea Sprite was a daysailor and Hope Valley Laminates built her so at least two companies built the daysailor. In any event the daysailor was only built before the now required HIN (hull identification number) was in use so you may not find any thing on the boat that tells you the manufacturer. Your only hope then is the paperwork or the owner’s recollection. 

If you know the sail number you can look at the owners list and contact owners before and after your number to see who built their boats. That might pin it down. I have a list of owners that is more complete then the one available on the web so I might be able to give you some owner’s names if you let me know the sail number.

As far as the do you care part of the question I think all the daysailors are about the same with some minor variations. The Sailstar boats are the older ones of the family and if my memory is correct they had a tapered mast and problems with the chainplates. The Hope Valley boats had an un-tapered mast but a poor design for the spreader bases. I have only seen a few of the many boats built over the years so the differences I know about may have more do to suppliers then builders. 

I think Dennis has a better handle on the variations then I do so it should be interesting to see what he has to say. He also might have a more complete owners list that has boat type information on it.

All the best,

Robert Gainer

Jul 08, 2007 #3

Charlie, 

No one knows how many builders there actually were. Bob’s thread was the first time I heard of Hope Valley Laminates. A little more on the differences between the day sailor and the weekender that may be understood but have not been mentioned: The day sailor does not have a self bailing cockpit. As a result, like an Ensign, you sit much lower in the boat and for that reason it is a much more secure feeling ride. The coamings on the day sailor come up to the shoulder blade versus the small of your back on the weekender. Conversely the weekender has the self bailing cockpit which makes the boat less likely to sink. The self bailing cockpit requires the cockpit deck to be raised higher than the water which explains why the seating is so much higher. 

Modifications to the boat: For modifications that you are talking about, I think the Ryder boat is the only one to avoid (I NEVER thought I would be saying that) but the Ryder boats had two fiberglass liners one for the overhead and one for the furniture. It has a Vee berth and quarter berths separated by a sink to starboard and cooler to port. The other liner is the overhead. The liners are one of the things that make the boats desirable but modifications are difficult to do well. On all the weekenders, there are two or three steps down to the cabin sole and the cabin is approximately 4’ tall. At 5’6”I could stand on the cabin sole of a Ryder boat and rest my arm on the cabin top. 

The older weekenders have wood furniture that is tabbed to the hull making the customizing much easier. Also, the transition to the cabin sole from the cockpit sole on the day sailor is much easier.

One problem I have seen with almost every day sailor is the mast step. When these were built, they were beginning to understand the lower weight and additional strength of cored fiberglass but they did not understand the problems with water intrusion into the core. I have also seen some “unique” ways to work the step. This is a caution for all the older Sea Sprites, particularly the day sailors. Watch for soft mast steps and soft decks. Also know that these boats are so simple, correcting the problem is not difficult.

Keep us posted and good luck.

Can you add to or correct any information in this quick list?

American Boat Building 

East Greenwich RI

Started building the Sea Sprite in 1958

Sailstar – Sea Sprite

1 Constitution Ave

Bristol RI 02809

Hope Valley Laminates 

Last hull number was 232

Sea Sprite Co. 

Wickford Shipyard

125 Steamboat Avenue

Wickford Harbor, North Kingstown R.I. 02852

Last hull number was 486

C. E. Ryder

47 Gooding Avenue

Hull numbers 500 to 786, 

1974 to 1986

Does anybody have a complete list of the sail numbers? And did American really build any of the boats or did they just have the original plans made and Sailstar was the first builder. Chester Rice told me that American built the wooden plug for the first mold but I don’t know this to be really true. I have a lot of paperwork in storage about the Sea Sprite and I need to get it organized one day.

Jul 08, 2007 #7

While I knew there were more than three builders, the only ones I really knew built boats were Sailstar, WSY and CER. 

I knew Ryder started at 500 and finished with 786 which was Chad Martin’s Calamari. I am also pretty sure that some of the Weekenders have the same numbers as the Day Sailors. It makes it impossible to figure out how many were actually built.

Thanks for the info 

Jul 14, 2007 #8

I own hull #579 and the serial number begins with “WSY”–I assume this refers to Wickford Ship Yard. It was built in late 1975 or early 1976. I had always assumed it was Wickford-built, but vaguely remember a post regarding some hulls started by Wickford and completed by Ryder. Just curious if anyone has more information on the transition between Wickford and Ryder.

Jul 14, 2007 #9

John, 

Welcome to my world. I spent a couple of years trying to figure it all out. I never did. It would not surprise me if numbers were repeated. Particularly where they were different manufacturers. WYS hull number 001 and CER hull number 001 would make sense but I think they tried to keep the sail numbers unique. Then we get into the other manufacturers that made both the weekender and the day sailor. Did they have day sailor 001 and Weekender 001? I really don’t know. We know that those boats were built before the HIN standards were established so many people have no idea what hull number they have. Was it an IRS dodge? We started the year building hull number 5 and finished with hull number 15 therefore we only built 11 boats while they built three with no number? While I doubt the last scenario, many of the builders lived on the financial hairy edge and no one knows what they really did. 

Your HIN starts with WSY it is therefore a WSY boat. Maybe there was overlap on the numbers between Wickford and Rider. 

Jul 14, 2007 #10

I don’t think it was a case of boats being started by Wickford and being finished by Ryder. In fact it worked the other way. Near the end of Wickford’s run the molds were sent to Ryder and he did the glasswork as a contractor and then sent the boats back to Wickford for the woodwork and final assemble. My second Sea Sprite was in that group and was molded by Ryder and built by Sea Sprite in Wickford. Ryder later bought the company and then started building the boats in his shop. 

Just before the molds were sent over to Ryder, Wickford had some problems with the gelcoat on the decks having a mottled appearance. I was offered the option of getting one of those decks and saving some money when my boat was scheduled to be built. I opted to pass on that offer and wait until the molds were sent over to Ryder before having my boat built. Another reason to wait for the change was that Ryder made some temporary modifications to the molds so that I could get the deck layout I wanted while Wickford was hesitant to do that. Ryder was also willing to modify the hull deck area in the way of the chainplates and installed the chainplates I had Rigrite make for the trans-Atlantic trip 

The day sailor and weekender raced together and I don’t recall ever seeing a duplicate sail number. While not proof that tends to support the theory that the numbers were unique between the two types. 

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• About The Boat
• Boat Review Forum
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Sea Sprite 23 - First boat?

• Add to quote

We are thinking about buying our first sail boat and I am looking at a Sea Sprite 23. We are planning to day sail the Chesapeake Bay and generally increase our sailing experience over the next several years. A complication is that I would also like to get further out. Perhaps a trip around the Del/Ma/Va loop, maybe down the inter-coastal to the keys. I plan to both single handle and to sail with my wife and daughter. In the beginning of the search, I was looking for a bigger boat. A boat for the Bay that could also take us around the world or at least to the Islands. Now I have pulled back and are just thinking about getting started, learning, and spending time on the water. Any thoughts about the Sea Sprite? Would she be a good boat for the Bay? Anything specific I should look for during the inspections? Thank you in advance. This is my first new thread.  

The SeaSprite 23 is a great little boat. Very seaworthy. Robert Gainer made several long passages in his. I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether this boat is worth going ahead further with or not. I'd point out that smaller boats are less expensive to own/maintain/use and are often used far more than larger boats.  

The SEA SPRITE 23 was available as the DAYSAILOR and the WEEKENDER. (See SEA SPRITE 23 DAYSAILOR). The WEEKENDER has a self-bailing cockpit, the seats are molded in fiberglass, there is a companionway and stairs down into the cabin, the mast is stepped forward of the cabin, there is no traveler, the rudder post comes through the cockpit floor and there are two sets of lower shrouds. The DAYSAILOR cockpit is not self-bailing, the seats are wood, there are doors to the cabin, the mast is stepped on the cabin top, there is a traveler, the rudder post comes through the aft deck, and there is only one set of lower shrouds. Sailstar Boats was the predecessor to Bristol Yachts. Also sold as the ALBERG 23. Click to expand...

It's quite rare that both people in a couple love sailing equally. Suggestion.. get some time on larger boats.. take some real lessons sailing on larger boats, make friends that have larger boats.. the $ spent on a small boat that you will not want for very long can be applied to that larger boat you may want... If you do love sailing and want a boat after you find out it's nowhere near as romantic as many people think. example.. middle of the Bay, 85% humid, dead calm, mid day, motor won't start, no Bimini top because they "like" the sun, not enough water because it was only a "day sail" Just a few thoughts... cheers!  

Thank you for your responses. I also posted later on the maintenance site with more specifics on the issues found on this boat (the weekend version). The combination of responses from these two threads and a nights sleep convinced me to look elsewhere. She does have nice lines and a lot to recommend her but it may be too much for me. Don Casey warns not to fall in love. Sailing dog, I read your inspection thread. I found it useful, brought the suggested tools and looked at the suggested areas. The small notebook was very useful as the list grew. I did not bring the Inspector Cousteau outfit suggested buy a later post. Thanks again, I will move on.  

AuntB said: In the beginning of the search, I was looking for a bigger boat. A boat for the Bay that could also take us around the world or at least to the Islands. Now I have pulled back and are just thinking about getting started, learning, and spending time on the water. Click to expand...

The Sea Sprite 23 is a very nice looking, good sailing boat. There was one in our harbor in NC for many years. It had a very high PHRF rating and sailed so well it won alot of races. I have also sailed on this boat, it was a daysailer model (still had a small cabin) and was not self bailing, it was always alot of fun. It could take the wind and the waves but you will get wet. Rick  

There is one on E-Bay right now for $3k or auction.  

It was hard for me to walk away in part because she was such a beautiful boat, very simple, had good sails and rigging, and Sea Sprites are so well thought of. She would be a fine day sailer and would support the occasional camping trip. I liked her right away and still do. She just needed more work than I wanted to take on. So much potential but just too much work. If anyone is interested, send me an e-mail, and I can put you in touch with the owner. The last time I looked the price was a little below $1,000. She is in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Now I am looking at a Cal 29 that also needs its share of work. But this time I think the majority of the work is cleaning, painting, and wood. Nothing structural so far. I am a little concerned about the Atomic engine but plan on looking at her at least one more time before I make a decision. Another beautiful boat and the Cal has more possibilities.  

Does anyone has image of Sea Sprite 23 ?  

• ?            
• 176.4K members

Top Contributors this Month

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender)

Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) is a 22 ′ 6 ″ / 6.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Carl Alberg and built by Sailstar Boat Co., Beetle Boat Co.(USA), and C. E. Ryder starting in 1958.

• 2 / 6 North Carolina, US 1981 Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) $8,000 USD View
• 3 / 6 North Carolina, US 1981 Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) $8,000 USD View
• 4 / 6 North Carolina, US 1981 Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) $8,000 USD View
• 5 / 6 North Carolina, US 1981 Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) $8,000 USD View
• 6 / 6 North Carolina, US 1981 Sea Sprite 23 (Weekender) $8,000 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

The SEA SPRITE 23 was available as the DAYSAILOR and the WEEKENDER. (See SEA SPRITE 23 DAYSAILOR). The WEEKENDER has a self-bailing cockpit, the seats are molded in fiberglass, there is a companionway and stairs down into the cabin, the mast is stepped forward of the cabin, there is no traveler, the rudder post comes through the cockpit floor and there are two sets of lower shrouds. The DAYSAILOR cockpit is not self-bailing, the seats are wood, there are doors to the cabin, the mast is stepped on the cabin top, there is a traveler, the rudder post comes through the aft deck, and there is only one set of lower shrouds. First built by Beetle Boats in Rhode Island. Sailstar Boats was the predecessor to Bristol Yachts. Also sold as the ALBERG 23.

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

Discover Related Sailboats

Sea Sprite 23 (Daysailor)

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Forums New posts Unanswered threads Register Top Posts Email
• What's new New posts New Posts (legacy) Latest activity New media
• Media New media New comments
• Boat Info Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com
• Classifieds Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale
• Parts General Marine Parts Hunter Beneteau Catalina MacGregor Oday
• Help Terms of Use Monday Mail Subscribe Monday Mail Unsubscribe

SeaSprite 23.

• Thread starter ScottMac
• Start date Dec 5, 2021
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

Hello I need some parts for a SeaSprite 23 I’m restoring. I need a tiller and port lights And does anyone know if the triangle piece at the top of the mast not sure what it is called is actually needed ? I personally do not see why it is there and it seems to me all it really does is affect how the heal sail is trimmed  

Attachments

ScottMac said: .........I need some parts for a SeaSprite 23 I’m restoring. I need a tiller and port lights....... Click to expand

ScottMac said: And does anyone know if the triangle piece at the top of the mast not sure what it is called is actually needed ? I personally do not see why it is there and it seems to me all it really does is affect how the heal sail is trimmed Click to expand

that vessel has a fractional rig. it's is needed. you'll figure it out. supports the top of the mast.  

i have same on the kid's cal 20  

I have seen other fractional rigs with out them So wondering why this boat has one  

ScottMac said: I have seen other fractional rigs with out them So wondering why this boat has one Click to expand

Hello Dlochner I was looking for original parts Scott  

ScottMac said: Hello Dlochner I was looking for original parts Scott Click to expand

I tried to get a part from them for my O Day 34 they wanted over $400. I found it two years later at a local marina used for $20 I was hoping to find used parts from a owner  

SEA SPRITE ASSOCIATION

Welcome to the forum @ScottMac . That is a neat boat and a great project. If you can't find the jumper struts for your boat, see if you can find them for a Shark, they are likely very close in size. Or find a Sea Sprite you can measure and make your own. They are definitely required to support the top of the mast. More modern fractional rigged boats often have a mast section designed to support the backstay tension without the jumpers but your boat does not. Making a laminated tiller would be a fun project if you have the post head fitting. If you don't have the fitting you could get one machined or welded up at a local shop.  

Hello Darcy I have the complete mast jumpers included I sailed the boat a few times late in October on Lake Erie she sails fantastic. I could make a tiller not sure if I want to invest the time I have the original tiller I will try to bring it back to life first I guess Pics Posted This Saturday is supposed to be about 60 here so I will be doing some epoxy work on the hull and sanding the deck. My goal is to have all the prep work for prime and paint done and have all the wood work varnished ready to be installed by spring  

I've owned two Seasprites. Wonderful boats. I occasionally muse about buying another. You definitely need the jumper strut. The mast section is designed for that support. The mainsail is large. If you broke or bend the mast because the jumper strut and stays were missing you'd probably have to junk the boat because getting a new mast would be cost prohibitive. It would be trivial to make a new jumper strut out of aluminum tubing and have a couple of jumper stays made up. I doubt the size or exact measurements are critical. Just make something that's close.  

Hi Carl I have the complete mast jumper strut included. I was just curious why it was there since I have seen other fractional rigs without them Scott  

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…