Welcome to this forum Rod and well done, Mark as well, for getting probably the best trailer sailor available anywhere!
I've had my BC23 now for over three years and have sailed quite extensively in all sort of conditions.
I expect there are quite a few potential new BC23 owners out there after talking to Matt at the SBS, so here are my observations .. Another Dingle stitherum..
Deck.
Ground tackle is essential so get the bow roller, I'd like some kind of 'protection' to stop the anchor knocking against the bow gel coat when lifting it. I use a 6 kg delta, with 30m of warp and 6m of chain. Works well and it all fits in the anchor lockers. The samson post is fine, but could be a bit higher and with cleats fitted to it.
Additional midships cleats are invaluable, recommend them. The cleats are fitted 'lower' than the gun'ls so fairleads are essential, I now have four pairs of fairleads fitted down the boat, particularly level with the samson post.
There is still no where to hang fenders!
A sprayhood is to me, essential. Don't skimp on that. I'm fitting some (battery operated) bright LED's inside the sprayhood for a bit of light when coming back to the boat after a 'run ashore' at night.
I've also had that faux teak plastic stuff (permateak?) fitted all round the cockpit, it works and looks really nice. I've got cockpit tidy bags on each side of the companionway - though you can easily retro fit them and probably cheaper than the yard. A winch handle pocket too on the stbd side. (Get a spare winch handle!)
I ordered harness secure points in the cockpit and just forward of the fore glass hatch in case I have to forward.
Cockpit tent would be desirable I think, but I don't have one as yet.
Your deck fittings will really need some thought, I have spinlock clutches and PXR's for the genoa sheets - good, but I find when under a lot of tension they are difficult to release. Tho' I think Matt has changed these now.
Some kind of tiller tamer is desireable - I have an autopilot (see Graham's post above, that is exactly what i do with mine) but I also fitted a couple of small pad eyes on the aft of the rail on each locker to take a rope/shock cord to the tiller for quickly lashing it off.
I'd ask Matt to fit a hole through the aft end of the stbd locker for the o/b fuel pipe - the tank is stowed in the locker. Ventilation grill would be a good idea too.
The deck aft end of the cocpit is perfect for solar panels and I have two 20w panels fitted there.
The traveller 'behind' you isn't the best, but is probably the only place it can be. I'm still experimenting with the car to get it as I like..
A jackstaff is a good idea - I recently realised that I don't have anywhere to fly a flag - racing flags, courtesy etc.
I had a canvas cockpit cover made up (I'm in a marina) it protects the cockpit from weather but more importantly it hides the outboard from inquisitive ne'er do wells.
Woodwork.
If I was ordering new again, I'd just have plain teak woodwork for gun'ls, rubbing strakes and coachroof handles and either leave it alone entirely or treat with a light oil. The current cetol stuff hasn't really worked (is rubbish really!) and I now have a winter job to bring it back to it's original beauty this year.
Rigging.
I have the Aero Luff Spar system on my genoa - get it, if you can! It's a must!
I'm still not entirely convinced with the dynema shrouds and lanyard thing - others may disagree. I may change them yet to stainless and turnbuckles, having said that they do work - so personal choice there.
Think carefully about reefing. I ordered single line, which I have now changed to a very basic but simple slab system, all with lines back to the cockpit. When you get your boat - I would urge you to practice reefing and experiment until you get it just right. I have found she will sail beautifully reefed right down, so don't be shy to reduce sail - the aeroluff spar works well to reef the genoa too.
Lazy jacks and a sail bag are just brilliant, makes life so much easier.
Not sure if spreaders on the mast are standard now, if not, I'd have them.
Topping lift - have one! You can easily fit it after delivery, but make sure you have the capacity in your deck tidy's - I had them doubled up port and stbd to take extra string, eg I have a 'spare' halyard up to the hounds, for an asymmetric etc.
Below.
I have a 'panel' fitted below the companionway for electric stuff - have a look at the Swallow Yachts website, the 360 view of the BC23 is actually my boat (without my cushions). It works well and is handy.
The cushions I acquired separately - mine are five ins thick, softer and cheaper than the standard. Well worth it. I have extra wide hatch covers under the two side berths for storage. I actually use those 5 litre bottles of water from tesco etc, as my main water supply. Three or four each side are stored under the side bunks, alongside other essential beverages and I've dispensed with the standard flexi water tank.
Matt made me some clever gimbals for the standard flat cooker, cheap and easy, I can safely boil a kettle in any kind of sea - ask Matt or I can send pics. For heating I use a 'camping' gas heater that takes the same gas cartridges as the cooker, quick and simple warmth. Millets I think for about 15 quid. The same for shore power, a camping/tent elec hook up, has three 13amp sockets and an rcd to plug into marina mains for about £20. Carbon monoxide alarm of course.
I have two 40 aph batteries in the forepeak, under the bed alongside the forward water tank viewing hatch. (NB Graham, I note what you say about Lithium, I'll look into that, good idea).
Portapotti 'facilities' with a flexi bucket that lives in the outboard well for general use! No one is ever allowed to stand on the side decks at sea.
Electrics.
A fixed vhf is pretty well essential. In my experience it is mandatory to continually monitor respective VTS's as well as the (advisable) Ch 16. I have one which has gps/ais/dsc all built in and I use it a lot in addition to a handheld. I also have a remote mic to my main vhf set in the cockpit (if you want further on this set up, let me know).
Depth clock of some kind is also pretty essential of course. Note the BC23 has a 'cored' hull so the 'shoot through' transducers don't work. You'll need a hole drilled through your hull for the transducer! As standard I think this is under the sink, so Matt will need the transducer as he builds the boat.
Having said that, I've just fitted a 'secondary' Garmin striker depth, using the supplied transom transducer that I fitted on a bracket under the boat from the outboard mount, in the outboard well - works great!
A mast head aerial will be required so get Matt to fit that too (with mast head nav lights, wind systems etc) as cables will need to be moused thro' the mast and terminals fitted to the coach roof. (I have the NASA wireless wind system, works well so far).
Solar panels etc too will need to be fitted as the boat is built as the cables will need to be 'built in' through bulkheads and buoyancy tanks.
Navigation aids are personal choice. I use a chart plotter (but mostly a Yeoman plotter with paper charts) but I sailed a friends yacht recently and he had one of those tablet things with charts on it - very impressive! Think I'll get one, the Visit My Harbour set up seems good and cheap.
I also have an epirb strapped to my life jacket.
I've just built a panel that holds all the external electrical bits that's mounted on one of those flat tv screen adjustable mounting brackets so it can easily swing out of the saloon and into the cockpit for use at sea.
Electric pump for the water ballast is very useful, mine is a bit slow, but happily slurps away until the tanks are empty.
Trailer/vehicle.
I'd be most surprised if your trailer was set up properly at first. Most aren't! So expect some hassle moving rollers etc until you can launch and recover as easily (easier!) than most dinghies. She really is no problem on the slip way when you are set up properly. A two speed (or electric?) winch is useful, but do get a spare winch handle (they are detachable), if you lose it (which I did!) You are really in the mire!
I guestimate a towing weight of about 1500 - 1600 kg, maybe a bit more, so most biggish cars will be no problem. Four wheel drive is always handy of course. I use an audi estate alldrive car, which does me for normal daily use and towing the boat.
I'm sure there are loads I've forgotten. And I'm sure other owners have different and better idea's than I do.
I'm in the Lincolnshire Wolds so not that far from you - Equinox is on the water in a marina in Grimsby. If you would like to come over and see her and talk through things and/or go for a sail any time - as is anyone who is interested of course - you're very welcome, just let me know on equinox25 at gmx.com.
Regards
Andy and Equinox
ps 'Stitherum' - Lincolnshire dialect for long dull boring tale!