The Sonar may well be the best boat I’ve ever designed.

BRUCE KIRBY, designer of Laser, championship International 14 dinghies, Ideal 18, San Juan 24 and 30, Nightwind 35, Canada 1 and Canada 2 America’s Cup challengers and the Norwalk Island Sharpie series.

Where is it written that in order to point high and go fast, to surf and plane, or to perform well in light winds, you have to be bruised, battered and racked with pain?

More than any other one-design keelboat, the International Sonar combines sparkling performance and high-level one-design competition with comfort and safety suitable for family and friends. This is a keelboat that thinks it’s a dinghy when it comes to performance while offering the security and flexibility of a larger boat.

This 23-foot internationally acclaimed one-design has a contoured, sit-in cockpit that’s 11’ 6” long and is self bailing. When the wind pipes up you sit securely on side decks contoured for security and hiking comfort. Angled seat backs and coamings are designed for comfort when heeled and recessed handholds offer extra security. The Sonar’s sail plan is designed for efficiency and control with a full range of rig adjustments that allow the crew to easily alter sail shape to changing conditions.

A generous keel and deep spade rudder provide excellent lateral stability and control and the Sonar can easily turn in its own length. The keel to hull joint is designed to minimize damage in an accidental grounding.

A high sail area/displacement ratio makes the Sonar a brisk performer in light winds while ample ballast and a stable hull form make her easy fast but easy to handle, even in heavy breezes. The Sonar is crew friendly, and can be raced competitively with 3-5 crew in all conditions.

The International Sonar has become the one-design keelboat of choice for a growing list of sailing clubs worldwide. Rapid class growth, ISAF Recognized status, and a well-managed class organization assure its longevity and value for years to come.

The Sonar was the Paralympic keelboat in 1996, 2000,2004 and again in 2008. The Sonar is also the favoured class for many US, International and World Championships for women’s, youth, team and match racing. Sonar received ISAF Recognized status in 2000 and is manufactured in North America and Europe.