The pad on the Howard Offshore 23 is not as wide as it looks, but has a longer delta shape. The 23' boat actually has a 6' beam, so it's a very narrow hull. I've been told that the entry is deeper than 60 degrees and that midship she's got more than 30 degrees. The hull was originally designed for offshore racing with a single outboard that was rigged on pretty extended gil-bracket. The boat shocked everybody with a second overall on the shorter course at the 1985 Rum Run in CA. It was beaten only by legendary Al Stoker who ran his 26' SST with twins. Greg Briles had just created this 23' Crusader and there was no name for the model yet. It was later named Crusader 23 Offshore and the mold eventually was bought by Howard Custom Boats in the late 80's.
Lars
P.S. In the photo Mr. Briles is out testing in the original Crusader design in
1985. D.S.