[1][2][3][4] The boat is a development of the Alberg-designed South Coast 23, with a modified, stepped cabin top shape.
[4] The Kittiwake 23 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of hand-laid fiberglass, with marine mahogany bulkheads and teak trim.
It has a masthead sloop rig; a spooned, raked stem; a raised counter, angled transom, a keel-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed long keel.
[1][3] The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) well-mounted outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.
[3] The boat was at one time supported by a class club, the Kittiwake 23 Sailboat Registry, but it seems to no longer exist.