23 VS 27 QUESTION:

[Bob23]

A hypothetical questin:
   If you were to be caught offshore in a big blow, which would you rather be in: a cp 23 or cp 27? Never mind that you shouldn't be out there in either, which would you feel safer in and why?
Bob23
( I won't give my opinion on this for a while.)

[Billy]

a 27! more ballast and a bigger boat but the waves are the same size.

[bmiller]

The bigger the boat the smaller the waves.

[capt_nemo]

Bob23

Anxiously awaiting your opinion.

I've been caught in a blow offshore a few times, albeit in a larger vessel which I specifically bought because she was built quite strong and had a rig that was designed with safety in mind. She was a cutter rigged Island Packet 35 with twin Backstays!

capt_nemo

[jimyoung]

I've never been in a 23' but have been caught off the Atlantic coast in larger swells than I should have been in and my concern was never with Miss B as much as it was with my own capabilities.  Luckily I both times I was within 2 - 3 hrs of protected waters. (once "surfed" into Port Everglades and once was able to get into Miami entrance.)

[skip1930]

A 27. The bigger the better.
Make it a cork so it can't sink.
Bare poles, or one small storm sail up front.
Bow into the waves.
DO NOT BROACH! Or she'll roll.
You'll survive, but you won't like it.
The boat will take much more then you can.
Stay out of the shallows. Land is your enemy.

Tie yourself into the boat.
What ever the plan is, do it before the worst hits.

skip.

[brackish]

Pretty easy for me even though I never sailed a 27.  All I have to do is compare capsize ratio and comfort factor and the 27 wins.  Additionally, a 23 with outboard in high following seas could be problematic with the outboard cavitating at times so I would prefer an inboard with a prop that is going to stay in the water.

This assumes that both boats are properly equipped with reef points, storm jibs, drogues, etc.

The only caveat is that each boat would be properly crewed for its size.  If short or singlehanded, I might opt for the 23 because I can handle it better under those conditions.