After months of consultation with boaters, designers and dealers, Rossiter’s new, outboard-powered 23-foot day boat will make its New England debut at the New London In-Water Boat Show, June 21-22.

 

The Rossiter 23 bears the same classic lines and smooth-running, variable-deadrise hull for which all Rossiter models are known, only in a larger package.

 

“We kept getting requests from seasoned boaters who wanted to downsize to a boat that gives them the ride, comfort and versatility of a larger day boat, but with outboard power, better fuel economy and accessibility to the water,” said Rossiter owner and chief designer Scott Hanson. “They wanted a big-water ride in a smaller, more efficient package.”

 

After working with Maine-based Fast Forward Design, Hull No. 1 of the first R23 was launched and sea-trialed in June with dealers and boaters alike responding with a “WOW you’ve done it again, its beautiful and the ride is incredible”. 

 

Like all Rossiters, the Rossiter 23 is constructed of all-composite materials and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Meanwhile, a combination of structural and flotation foam ensures that the boat is unsinkable. With a dry weight of 3,220 pounds and a beam of 8’ 6”, the Rossiter 23 can be easily trailered, further enhancing its versatility and appeal.

 

“It’s designed for the coastal and Great Lakes boater who wants a comfortable, stylish boat they can have fun in, yet will get them back to the dock if the weather turns,” added Hanson.

 

The recent sea trials showed that the Rossiter 23 jumps on plane quickly with little to no bow rise. Rigged with a Yamaha 200 XCA outboard (max power is 250 hp), the boat planes out at 15 mph and delivers a top-end speed of around 43 mph with 3 adults and 70 gallons of fuel in moderate sea conditions. At 20 mph, in flat-calm seas, fuel consumption is approximately 3.7 gph.

 

Inside, the Rossiter 23 features comfortable seating for up to 10 persons, with ample dry, drained storage and a clean layout that invites socializing and lots of room for gear. Below the stern bench seat there is also a large, insulated, drained storage bin. Outboard power means no engine box to maneuver around, allowing for wide-open cockpit space and a cavernous below-deck storage compartment for stowing bulky items and watersports equipment as well.