WOODEN SAILBOATS FOR SALE
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Boats For Sale Online
Do you have a boat for sale—or are you looking to buy one? On this page, you’ll find a varied collection of fine boats for sale, including sail, power, paddle, and oar-driven craft, all of which are built of wood.
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134 Results
Power Boats
1960 pen yann magellan.
LOA: 19' - 40HP 2 stroke Yamaha - Structurally sound - Needs cosmetics - Stored (inside) for past 3 seasons - New Bimini - New bilge pump - New foredeck - Engine serviced prior to storage - All invoices and work orders available - Located Westport, CT $4,850 - Contact:
Yankee One Design Sloop Sailboat 30’
Award winning, designed by William Starling Burgess/Stone built. “Flame” totally restored in 2015. Complete survey in 2023. “A Sailor’s Sailboat”
Small Craft
Tn simmons sea skiff.
Original16’ circa 1955. Recently restored. $2,500.
CLC 10’ Tenderly Dinghy
Completed kit Includes Trailex sut-250 with spare Full cover, oars and lines Asking $4,000.
Maine Peapod. Almost new.
Arch Davis design. Lightweight double-ender. Excellent condition. Lovingly built in 2018 with cedar, pine and 4mm Okume plywood. Good for sailing or rowing. BC Sitka spruce oars included. All bronze hardware. Sail hardly used. $5,000. Now at Guelph Boating Club, Ontario Canada.
Cheerio II, 1931 46' yawl, formerly owned by actor Errol Flynn. 3 time winner of her class in the Newport to Ensenada Race; first to finish in the 2024 McNish Classic Yacht Race. Google "Cheerio II" to see photos, videos, and articles about the boat, a SoCal classic. Recent survey available.
Handmade wooden canoe
Beautiful hand built wooden canoe. Design modeled on the Wabanaki Indian canoes of Maine. Great for single-handed use but large enough for two. 16 feet, 45 lbs. Built of pine with cherry accent in seats, paddles and the portage brace.
1929 Hacker Craft Runabout 18'
1967 Crosby Striper #86
Short cabin version. Restored in 2020 new lower frames, knees, floors and cockpit. Refastened in bronze. Sleeps 2 with marine head and 5 gallon holding tank. Volvo penta Chevy 305 70 gallons fuel. Turn key and extensively used and loved. Excellent fishing boat.
Hunt Surfhunter 25
Whitehall 16 ft. Sailing & Rowing Boat
16 foot Whitehall rowing and sailing boat. Maine built 1985. Excellent condition, teakwood trim, dual rowing stations, daggerboard, rudder, mast, sail,. 350 lbs. Dry stored for the last four years. Includes 4 Shaw and Tenney oars, 2 straight and 2 spoonbill.
Homemade 14 foot wooden/fiberglass boat, 35 horse power motor.
Boat built in 1958, molded wooden ribs, plywood, fiberglass cloth, front deck, split front seat. 1958 Evinrude big twin motor, electric start. Will pull two water skiers. Both boat and motor need some tender loving care. Trailer included but not road worthy.
Martha's Tender ~ Optional Sailing Version
Sailing version of Martha's Tender, complete with sail and rigging. Sail is in perfect condition. Mahogany thwarts, transom bronze fastened. White oak breastwork and rails. Epoxy/Cloth used, gel coat and white paint. Mahogany rudder and centerboard included.
28' Herreshoff Rozinante "Petrel"
The Rozinante is a classic double-ended beauty. The sleek boat has a large cockpit that can comfortably accommodate six on a daysail. The simply designed cabin has a double berth, mahogany cabinets, and stowage space for battery, ground tackle and sails.
32’ 1945 Mt Desert Downeaster
32’ 1945 Mt Desert Downeaster, 318 gas engine that runs, has been on the hard for 10yrs +/-, she needs some work, beautiful looking hull & unique housetop, original canvas. Located on Islesboro, ME.
25’ Folkboat “Puffin” KC2 – Built in Denmark in 1950
Varnished larch planking on steam-bent white oak ribs. Varnished mahogany superstructure, cockpit and interior. Varnished mast and boom. Marine plywood decks with fiberglass and paint overtop. Cast iron keel.
1956 20ft 6inch pretty utility runabout
Built by Whittaker Boat Building Marine Railway Noank CT. Won best restoration by owner at Mystic Seaport 2015 and in Salem MA.2015. Just repowered with new old stock Yanmar 4jhe diesel.
Trumpy Contract #386 "San Ban" 47' Cutter Ketch.
Same owner last 35 years. Time for me to move on! 110 hour Turbo Yanmar. All sails, cushions, booms, sheets, blocks in dry storage. Vessel can go back in water or be trucked for approximately $12-15.00 per mile. If you are interested give me a call or text and we can talk. 386-760-8181
1991 Pulsifer Hampton
Well maintained Pulsifer Hampton with Yanmar 3GM for sale. Kept inside in the winter and includes trailer. $15,000.
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From the Community
1915 Stephens Brothers lake union
DEATH IN FAMILY. MUST SELL !
LOA: 19' - 40HP 2 stroke Yamaha - Structurally sound - Needs cosmetics - Stored (inside) for past
2019 Bartender Boat
George Calkins design, owner built from plans and patterns, 20'6" double ended rough water inboar
Antique yachting cannon by L.T. Snow model 1892
Very fine condition and working 4 bore breech loader, with shell box and accessories.
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Best Bluewater Sailboats Under 24 Feet
Last Updated by
Jacob Collier
December 28, 2023
Looking for a sailboat but don't want to bear the high costs? The best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet are trailerable and require low maintenance.
Many sailing enthusiasts cannot afford a large boat due to the docking fee and maintenance costs. Fortunately, bluewater sailboats under 24 feet, also known as pocket sailboats, are affordable small yachts that are trailerable to your choice of destination, so you don't have to bear the unnecessary docking fee.
The best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet are the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, Norseboat 21.5, Catalina 22 Sport, Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, and West Wight Potter 19. These sailboats have ample space for a couple and even a moderately-sized family along with all the amenities you may need.
A roomy cabin, galley, and settees are necessary to go cruising in the bluewater. However, sailboats are a cheaper and more convenient way to enjoy the shallow waters as all you require for sailing is a hull, rudder, mast, and sail. The sailboats on this list make your sailing experience even better with accommodations such as bedding.
We are a bunch of sailing enthusiasts and spend most of our weekends trailing our pocket sailboats, traveling to various offshore destinations. With years of knowledge, we have drafted a list of the best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet and discussed them in detail, so you can make an informed decision before buying your sailboat.
Table of contents
Our Top Picks
West wight potter 19.
{{boat-info="/boats/west-wight-potter-19"}}
The West Wight Potter 19 is one of the most popular sailboats and has been at the top for over three decades. This sailboat is manufactured in California by International Marine, known for making reliable and robust sailboats.
Over the years, the West Wight 19 has seen significant changes in its design, making the boat easy to sail and increasing the storage space while keeping the design compact and available.
The 19-footer is the smallest sailboat on this list, but it doesn’t keep the boat from offering accommodations to make your experience comfortable.
Small sailboats are more about sailing instead of cruising with luxury. However, the Potter 19 offers several luxurious amenities.
The four berths allow you to camp in for a couple of days instead of spending only a day out on the water. Each berth is around six and a half feet long, with two settees and a v-berth.
The storage space under each berth and the ample walking space in between provide enough room for a small family to spend quality time. A small sink, stove, and mobile head increase the boat's functionality and ease the voyage.
The West Wight Potter 19 is far from disappointing when it comes to its sailing chops. Due to its lightweight build, you don't need a powerful truck to trail this sailboat to your preferred destination.
The hull and deck are fiberglass, which keeps the boat steady against rough water. A high freeboard keeps the cockpit and the deck dry.
The West White Potter 19's design is ideal for lake, river, and coastal sailing. However, this boat is up for the challenges as an individual has sailed from California to Hawaii, making history for the Potter 19.
You can buy West White Potter 19 from Sailboat Listings for $6,900.
Specifications
- Hull Type: Lifting keel
- LOA: 18.9 ft.
- LWL: 16.9 ft.
- Beam: 7.5 ft.
- Displacement: 1225 lbs.
- Ballast: 370 lbs.
- Sail Area: 115 sq. ft.
- First built: 1979
- Developer: International Marine (USA)
- Designer: Herb Stewart
Catalina 22 Sport
{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-22-sport"}}
The Catalina 22 Sport has quickly become a hot cake sailboat since the Sport version of the 22 feet hull was recently released. A retractable lead keel in the upgraded version makes it easier to haul the boat.
Other than that, the vinyl seating, a chrome fence, and a more dynamic frame give the boat a sporty yet exclusive look, putting it above its close competitors. That is why the Catalina 22 Sport has become a common sight at harbors across the state.
The update maintains the superior quality of the original Catalina yacht with a robust built, easy and comfortable sailing, and several accommodation features. The hull is made from hand-laid fiberglass bonded with a hull liner.
Beautiful single-piece fiberglass makes the deck a sight for sore eyes. It is treated with non-slippery material to keep the passengers safe from injuries.
A complete standing rig with an upgraded stern rail with controls keeps the boat sailing steadily. But the absolute joy of sailing this beautiful sailboat lies in an exclusive cockpit design. Raised contoured coamings keep the cockpit high and dry.
This boat is not just all about the looks and easy sailing. As mentioned earlier, it also has a roomy cabin with accommodations that can allow you to spend a couple of days on the boat. Two full-length berths measuring over six and a half feet are comfortable for full-grown people to sleep peacefully.
The V berth makes a bed for two where children can rest. Even though the Catalina 22 sport has enough space for a family of four to walk around without stepping on each other's toes, it is ideal for a couple to get away for a refreshing couple of days.
The best thing about Catalina releasing a newer model is that it boasts a 12 Volt electrical panel. You can keep electrical appliances working for a comfortable sailing experience.
Besides that, Catalina offers several optional features to enhance your experience on the 22-footer. These include a mast carrier at the front and rear, fabric cushion upgrade, headsail furling gear, and more.
Since the Catalina 22 Sport is made on order, you can contact dealers from YachtWorld to get the price of this boat.
- Hull Type: Fin w/spade rudder
- LOA: 23.62 ft.
- LWL: 19.32 ft.
- Beam: 8.67 ft.
- Displacement: 2,380 lbs.
- Ballast: 550 lbs.
- Sail Area: 110 sq. ft.
- First built: 2004
- Last built: -
- Developer: Catalina Yachts
- Designer: Gary Douglas
Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20
{{boat-info="/boats/pacific-seacraft-flicka-20"}}
The Pacific Seacraft Flicka is the most convenient and trailerable sailboat on our list, with an overall length of 20 feet. If you like a minimalist lifestyle and want the same in your bluewater pocket sailboat, this one's for you.
A functional galley with a sink and a counter and a small sink, toilet, and shower provides you with the basic amenities you and a couple of your friends and family need for a few days offshore.
There's more to the accommodation you can expect from this 20-footer sailboat. This boat has four berths, including a v-berth, so sleeping comfortably or stretching your legs occasionally is not an issue. A pop-up dining table and a chart table within the cabin make eating and other activities doable.
Nevertheless, most people underestimate the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20’s ability to handle offshore rigidity, and they are often surprised at what this boat has to offer. A full-ballast keel, hull shape, manageable rig, and a self-draining cockpit ensure satisfactory offshore performance by the littlest contender.
Moreover, we find its outstanding standing headspace one of the boat's best features. Unlike other pocket sailboats, the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 has a six ft. headspace. You don't have to duck every time to save your head from banging against the roof.
The Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20's size and its minimalistic yet fulfilling features are why this boat is in high demand. With only 400 of them ever made, you will have to dig deeper and longer to find one worth buying. Due to this, the price of this boat is also slightly higher.
You can buy the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 from YachtWorld for $29,900.
- Hull Type: Long keel
- LOA: 24 ft.
- LWL: 18.75 ft.
- Beam: 8 ft.
- Displacement: 6,000 lbs.
- Ballast: 1,750 lbs.
- Sail Area: 261.89 sq. ft.
- Fuel: 12 gallons
- Fresh Water: 20 gallons
- Engine: Yanmar
- First built: 1974
- Last built: 1994
- Developer: Pacific Seacraft
- Designer: Bruce Bingham
Pacific Seacraft Dana 24
{{boat-info="/boats/pacific-seacraft-dana-24"}}
The Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is the best overall sailboat on our list. This one is the larger of the two Pacific Seacraft sailboats mentioned. It has an overall length of 24 feet but provides you with loads of amenities.
According to the features listed, the boat might seem insufficient for an overnight sail on the water. Once you are on the boat, it won't occur to you that you are on a sailboat that is just 24 feet long.
While only four feet longer than the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, it adds enough space to make the cabin roomier and another berth for one more person. Not only that, the extra length provides more space to the galley.
You have increased movement and work it better. However, the length still keeps the sailboat maintaining the qualities of a smaller sailboat, allowing you easy maintenance and mobility.
Despite being larger, Pacific Seacraft Dana 20 is faster than the smaller one. As surprising as it may sound, this is because this boat's engine is more powerful and helps the hull sail faster. A high bow flare and freeboard ensure the deck remains dry unless high tides take charge.
It is ideal for a pair, especially couples who do not look for much except spending quality days offshore with the basic amenities on hand.
The Dana 24 were sold as kits and bare hulls. No one knows how many of these sailboats exist and how many of those are factory assembled. Due to this, you might also find slight differences in the build from unit to unit.
You can get the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 from YachtWorld for $49,000.
- LOA: 27.25 ft.
- LWL: 21.42 ft.
- Beam: 8.85 ft.
- Displacement: 8,000 lbs.
- Ballast: 3,200 lbs.
- Sail Area: 361.22 sq. ft.
- Fuel: 18 gallons
- Fresh Water 40 gallons
- First built: 1948
- Last built: 2007
- Designer: W.I.B Crealock
Norseboat 21.5
{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-21-5"}}
Do you prefer an open sailboat with a rugged design to keep your sailing experience raw? Get your hands on the Open Cockpit Norseboat 21.5. This boat has no cabin.
Simple sailboat design with settees on the side and enough storage room for a couple of passengers to enjoy a voyage across the lake or cruise near the coast.
But that's not all. The Norseboat 21.5 also comes in a cabin design that offers enhanced comfort. Whichever version you prefer, this boat offers a rugged design with carbon-fiber material instead of fiberglass, making it stronger than most sailboats.
However, you will have to compromise on the beauty part. Still, the boat provides a steady sailing experience with all the necessities you might require.
The Norseboat 21.5 sits lower near the water, and with a simple handling sloop rig and fully battened mainsail, it sails light and quick against the light wind. The boat is highly responsive to the tiller, requiring minimum effort from you to put it in the right direction.
Both versions of Norseboat 21.5 are lightweight, making them easy to haul and trail. You won't need a large truck to trail this boat to your favorite spot.
A mid-sized vehicle will do the job. On the other hand, their build maintains a strong presence uplifting their seaworthiness while a foil-shaped stub keel maintains stability.
You can buy the Norseboat 21.5 directly from Norseboat .
- LOA: 21.8 ft.
- LWL: 19 ft.
- Beam: 7.1 ft.
- Displacement: 1,750 lbs.
- Ballast: 275 lbs.
- Sail Area: 197.2 sq. ft.
- Developer: NorseBoat Limited (CAN)
- Designer: Kevin Jeffrey/Mark Fitzgerald
Easy handling, low cost of maintenance, minimalistic designs, basic amenities, all while going offshore — these are the main selling points of pocket sailboats. All the boats mentioned above will serve you well if you are looking for the best bluewater pocket sailboats. Choose wisely!
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Best Bluewater Pocket Sailboats
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Born into a family of sailing enthusiasts, words like “ballast” and “jibing” were often a part of dinner conversations. These days Jacob sails a Hallberg-Rassy 44, having covered almost 6000 NM. While he’s made several voyages, his favorite one is the trip from California to Hawaii as it was his first fully independent voyage.
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Yachting Monthly
- Digital edition
25 of the best small sailing boat designs
- Nic Compton
- August 10, 2022
Nic Compton looks at the 25 yachts under 40ft which have had the biggest impact on UK sailing
There’s nothing like a list of best small sailing boat designs to get the blood pumping.
Everyone has their favourites, and everyone has their pet hates.
This is my list of the 25 best small sailing boat designs, honed down from the list of 55 yachts I started with.
I’ve tried to be objective and have included several boats I don’t particularly like but which have undeniably had an impact on sailing in the UK – and yes, it would be quite a different list if I was writing about another country.
If your favourite isn’t on the best small sailing boat designs list, then send an email to [email protected] to argue the case for your best-loved boat.
Ready? Take a deep breath…
Credit: Bob Aylott
Laurent Giles is best known for designing wholesome wooden cruising boats such as the Vertue and Wanderer III , yet his most successful design was the 26ft Centaur he designed for Westerly, of which a remarkable 2,444 were built between 1969 and 1980.
It might not be the prettiest boat on the water, but it sure packs a lot of accommodation.
The Westerly Centaur was one of the first production boats to be tank tested, so it sails surprisingly well too. Jack L Giles knew what he was doing.
Colin Archer
Credit: Nic Compton
Only 32 Colin Archer lifeboats were built during their designer’s lifetime, starting with Colin Archer in 1893 and finishing with Johan Bruusgaard in 1924.
Yet their reputation for safety spawned hundreds of copycat designs, the most famous of which was Sir Robin Knox-Johnston ’s Suhaili , which he sailed around the world singlehanded in 1968-9.
The term Colin Archer has become so generic it is often used to describe any double-ender – so beware!
Contessa 32
Assent ‘s performance in the 1979 Fastnet Race makes the Contessa 32 a worth entry in the 25 best small sailing boat designs list. Credit: Nic Compton
Designed by David Sadler as a bigger alternative to the popular Contessa 26, the Contessa 32 was built by Jeremy Rogers in Lymington from 1970.
The yacht’s credentials were established when Assent , the Contessa 32 owned by Willy Kerr and skippered by his son Alan, became the only yacht in her class to complete the deadly 1979 Fastnet Race .
When UK production ceased in 1983, more than 700 had been built, and another 20 have been built since 1996.
Cornish Crabber 24
It seemed a daft idea to build a gaff-rigged boat in 1974, just when everyone else had embraced the ‘modern’ Bermudan rig.
Yet the first Cornish Crabber 24, designed by Roger Dongray, tapped into a feeling that would grow and grow and eventually become a movement.
The 24 was followed in 1979 by the even more successful Shrimper 19 – now ubiquitous in almost every harbour in England – and the rest is history.
Drascombe Lugger
Credit: David Harding
There are faster, lighter and more comfortable boats than a Drascombe Lugger.
And yet, 57 years after John Watkinson designed the first ‘lugger’ (soon changed to gunter rig), more than 2,000 have been built and the design is still going strong.
More than any other boat, the Drascombe Lugger opened up dinghy cruising, exemplified by Ken Duxbury’s Greek voyages in the 1970s and Webb Chiles’s near-circumnavigation on Chidiock Tichbourne I and II .
The 26ft Eventide. Credit: David Harding
It’s been described as the Morris Minor of the boating world – except that the majority of the 1,000 Eventides built were lovingly assembled by their owners, not on a production line.
After you’d tested your skills building the Mirror dinghy, you could progress to building a yacht.
And at 24ft long, the Eventide packed a surprising amount of living space.
It was Maurice Griffiths’ most successful design and helped bring yachting to a wider audience.
You either love ’em or you hate ’em – motorsailers, that is.
The Fisher 30 was brought into production in 1971 and was one of the first out-and-out motorsailers.
With its long keel , heavy displacement and high bulwarks, it was intended to evoke the spirit of North Sea fishing boats.
It might not sail brilliantly but it provided an exceptional level of comfort for its size and it would look after you when things turned nasty.
Significantly, it was also fitted with a large engine.
Credit: Rupert Holmes
It should have been a disaster.
In 1941, when the Scandinavian Sailing Federation couldn’t choose a winner for their competition to design an affordable sailing boat, they gave six designs to naval architect Tord Sundén and asked him to combine the best features from each.
The result was a sweet-lined 25ft sloop which was very seaworthy and fast.
The design has been built in GRP since the 1970s and now numbers more than 4,000, with fleets all over the world.
Credit: Kevin Barber
There’s something disconcerting about a boat with two unstayed masts and no foresails, and certainly the Freedom range has its detractors.
Yet as Garry Hoyt proved, first with the Freedom 40, designed in collaboration with Halsey Herreshoff, and then the Freedom 33 , designed with Jay Paris, the boats are simple to sail (none of those clattering jib sheets every time you tack) and surprisingly fast – at least off the wind .
Other ‘cat ketch’ designs followed but the Freedoms developed their own cult following.
Hillyard 12-tonner
The old joke about Hillyards is that you won’t drown on one but you might starve to death getting there.
And yet this religious boatbuilder from Littlehampton built up to 800 yachts which travelled around the world – you can find them cruising far-flung destinations.
Sizes ranged from 2.5 to 20 tons, though the 9- and 12-ton are best for long cruises.
The innovations on Jester means she is one of the best small sailing boat designs in the last 100 years. Credit: Ewen Southby-Tailyour
Blondie Hasler was one of the great sailing innovators and Jester was his testing ground.
She was enclosed, carvel planked and had an unstayed junk rig.
Steering was via a windvane system Hasler created.
Hasler came second in the first OSTAR , proving small boats can achieve great things.
Moody kicked off the era of comfort-oriented boats with its very first design.
The Moody 33, designed by Angus Primrose, had a wide beam and high topside to produce a voluminous hull .
The centre cockpit allowed for an aft cabin, resulting in a 33-footer with two sleeping cabins – an almost unheard of concept in 1973 –full-beam heads and spacious galley.
What’s more, her performance under sail was more than adequate for cruising.
Finally, here was a yacht that all the family could enjoy.
Continues below…
What makes a boat seaworthy?
What characteristics make a yacht fit for purpose? Duncan Kent explores the meaning of 'seaworthy' and how hull design and…
How boat design is evolving
Will Bruton looks at the latest trends and innovations shaping the boats we sail
How keel type affects performance
James Jermain looks at the main keel types, their typical performance and the pros and cons of each
Boat handling: How to use your yacht’s hull shape to your advantage
Whether you have a long keel or twin keel rudders, there will be pros and cons when it comes to…
Nicholson 32
Credit: Genevieve Leaper
Charles Nicholson was a giant of the wooden boat era but one of his last designs – created with his son Peter – was a pioneering fibreglass boat that would become an enduring classic.
With its long keel and heavy displacement, the Nicholson 32 is in many ways a wooden boat built in fibreglass – and indeed the design was based on Nicholson’s South Coast One Design.
From 1966 to 1977, the ‘Nic 32’ went through 11 variations.
Credit: Hallberg-Rassy
In the beginning there was… the Rasmus 35. This was the first yacht built by the company that would become Hallberg-Rassy and which would eventually build more than 9,000 boats.
The Rasmus 35, designed by Olle Enderlein, was a conservative design, featuring a centre cockpit, long keel and well-appointed accommodation.
Some 760 boats were built between 1967 and 1978.
Credit: Larry & Lin Pardey
Lyle Hess was ahead of his time when he designed Renegade in 1949.
Despite winning the Newport to Ensenada race, the 25ft wooden cutter went largely unnoticed.
Hess had to build bridges for 15 years before Larry Pardey asked him to design the 24ft Seraffyn , closely based on Renegade ’s lines but with a Bermudan rig.
Pardey’s subsequent voyages around the world cemented Hess’s reputation and success of the Renegade design.
Would the Rustler 36 make it on your best small sailing boat list? Credit: Rustler Yachts
Six out of 18 entries for the 2018 Golden Globe Race (GGR) were Rustler 36s, with the top three places all going to Rustler 36 skippers.
It was a fantastic endorsement for a long-keel yacht designed by Holman & Pye 40 years before.
Expect to see more Rustler 36s in the 2022 edition of the GGR!
It was Ted Heath who first brought the S&S 34 to prominence with his boat Morning Cloud .
In 1969 the yacht won the Sydney to Hobart Race, despite being one of the smallest boats in the race.
Other epic S&S 34 voyages include the first ever single-handed double circumnavigation by Jon Sanders in 1981
Credit: Colin Work
The Contessa 32 might seem an impossible boat to improve upon, but that’s what her designer David Sadler attempted to do in 1979 with the launch of the Sadler 32 .
That was followed two years later by the Sadler 29 , a tidy little boat that managed to pack in six berths in a comfortable open-plan interior.
The boat was billed as ‘unsinkable’, with a double-skinned hull separated by closed cell foam buoyancy.
What’s more, it was fast, notching up to 12 knots.
Credit: Dick Durham/Yachting Monthly
Another modern take on the Contessa theme was the Sigma 33, designed by David Thomas in 1979.
A modern underwater body combined with greater beam and higher freeboard produced a faster boat with greater accommodation.
And, like the Contessa, the Sigma 33 earned its stripes at the 1979 Fastnet, when two of the boats survived to tell the tale.
A lively one-design fleet soon developed on the Solent which is still active to this day.
A replica of Joshua Slocum’s Spray . Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
The boat Joshua Slocum used for his first singlehanded circumnavigation of the world wasn’t intended to sail much further than the Chesapeake Bay.
The 37ft Spray was a rotten old oyster sloop which a friend gave him and which he had to spend 13 months fixing up.
Yet this boxy little tub, with its over-optimistic clipper bow, not only took Slocum safely around the world but has spawned dozens of modern copies that have undertaken long ocean passages.
Credit: James Wharram Designs
What are boats for if not for dreaming? And James Wharram had big dreams.
First he sailed across the Atlantic on the 23ft 6in catamaran Tangaroa .
He then built the 40ft Rongo on the beach in Trinidad (with a little help from French legend Bernard Moitessier) and sailed back to the UK.
Then he drew the 34ft Tangaroa (based on Rongo ) for others to follow in his wake and sold 500 plans in 10 years.
Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly
The Twister was designed in a hurry.
Kim Holman wanted a boat at short notice for the 1963 season and, having had some success with his Stella design (based on the Folkboat), he rushed out a ‘knockabout cruising boat for the summer with some racing for fun’.
The result was a Bermudan sloop that proved nigh on unbeatable on the East Anglian circuit.
It proved to be Holman’s most popular design with more than 200 built.
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Laurent Giles’s design No15 was drawn in 1935 for a Guernsey solicitor who wanted ‘a boat that would spin on a sixpence and I could sail single-handed ’.
What the young Jack Giles gave him was a pretty transom-sterned cutter, with a nicely raked stem.
Despite being moderate in every way, the boat proved extremely able and was soon racking up long distances, including Humphrey Barton’s famous transatlantic crossing on Vertue XXXV in 1950.
Wanderer II and III
Credit: Thies Matzen
Eric and Susan Hiscock couldn’t afford a Vertue, so Laurent Giles designed a smaller, 21ft version for them which they named Wanderer II .
They were back a few years later, this time wanting a bigger version: the 30ft Wanderer III .
It was this boat they sailed around the world between 1952-55, writing articles and sailing books along the way.
In doing so, they introduced a whole generation of amateur sailors to the possibilities of long-distance cruising.
Westerly 22
The origins of Westerly Marine were incredibly modest.
Commander Denys Rayner started building plywood dinghies in the 1950s which morphed into a 22ft pocket cruiser called the Westcoaster.
Realising the potential of fibreglass, in 1963 he adapted the design to create the Westerly 22, an affordable cruising boat with bilge keels and a reverse sheer coachroof.
Some 332 boats were built to the design before it was relaunched as the Nomad (267 built).
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24′ Double-ended voyager CAROL
QUEEN BEE was built in Sydney, Australia.
FOR A VIDEO that shows the CAROL’s sailing qualities, click here:
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| LOA | 24′ 4″ |
| LWL | 20′ |
| BEAM | 7′ 11.5″ |
| DRAFT | 3′ 6″ |
| DISPLACEMENT half load | 5,709 lbs |
| BALLAST (LEAD) | 2,700 lbs |
| SAIL AREA (100% foretriangle) | 324 sq ft |
| D/L RATIO | 319 |
| SA/DISP RATIO | 18.0 |
CAROL is in many ways my favorite pocket cruiser— a scaled-down and flatter-deadrise version of my popular FRANCES . She evokes an adventurous spirit that prevailed in the happy times of the late ‘70s when I designed her. At 24 feet she’s as small as a prudent sailor would ever think of taking to sea. CAROL is the ultimate in making do with less. Her hull is stable and easily driven, and her rig is simple and powerful. She can sail close to her hull speed of six knots when conditions are favorable, making for good sailing in moderate conditions. While no boat of this size can truthfully be termed comfortable in the open ocean, CAROL ‘s crew are at least free of great concern for her safety, or their own. With her small self draining cockpit well, raised deck, centerline hatches and strong self-righting tendency she is as seaworthy as the proverbial corked bottle. Her clear decks make it easy to handle her gear, and the recessed deck forward offers the crew security where it is needed most.
I designed CAROL in 1979 and something like twenty have been built so far all over the world. Thanks to her beautifully crafted building plans, anyone willing to work hard and with good carpentry skills can aspire to sailing over the horizon in something of high intrinsic value that they built themselves. With her very high quality of specified construction and perfected double-ender aesthetics she is a true legacy yacht, whose appeal will endure for generations. She’s neither easy nor cheap to build, though— fair warning.
HARRIET ROSE sails out of Chichester, UK.
JEANNETTE was built near Victoria, BC. Now she sails on Monterey Bay, CA.
The interior arrangement is intended for two persons. They may share the double berth forward in harbor, or the off-watch partner can choose the leeward quarter berth when at sea. There is just the minimum sitting headroom in this design― indeed this was the pivotal factor that determined the overall size of this minimalist yacht. The design provides a place for the cook to sit, and a toilet to avoid having to go on deck for this necessity. A sea hood fitted over the companionway provides a place to stand up for pulling on one’s pants, at least when the weather permits you to open the hatch.
CAROL as originally designed had no auxiliary power, a pair of oars being shown for getting her home in a calm or maneuvering through a quiet anchorage. Quite a few have been fitted with small diesels, though, an idea that can be life-saving in difficult conditions and a lot easier than rowing when the wind fails.
A CAROL hull under construction.
You laminate the cold- molded hull upside down. The deadwood is added once it is finished.
CAROL is narrow enough to trailer legally over the road in the USA, though at her weight she requires a lift or railway to haul and launch and a crane to step her mast. She was engineered to be built in WEST system cold-molded construction. She was designed in the hippie years, with many young people seeing the wonders of the world living in a tent. Quite a few more, who thought it fun, bought books on WEST system construction and saw the wonders of the sea living in a CAROL. You could too!
Note the varnished seatbacks, which make the cockpit very comfortable.
There’s lots of laminating to do.
Many variations have been built. JUNO LUCINA hails from the UK, and has been fitted with a small trunk cabin.
Bee fits very nicely into the cabin of her eponymously named yacht.
This design is featured in both of my recent books; MY YACHT DESIGNS and the Lessons they taught me, and THE BOATS I’VE LOVED— 20 Classic Sailboat Designs by Chuck Paine. Both are beautiful, full colored, first class books which give you lots more information on this design, and can be purchased on this website.
Study plans are available emailed to you in pdf format for US$ 25.00, Full printed plans including a full-size mylar hull lofting and right to build for US$ 3000.00
PDF Study Plans: $25
no shipping, sent via email
Further information may be obtained from:
CHUCKPAINE.COM LLC P. O. Box 114
Tenants Harbor, Maine 04860-0114 [email protected]
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20 Best Small Sailboats for the Weekender
- By Mark Pillsbury
- Updated: May 24, 2024
In order to go cruising, most of us require a sailboat with a head, a galley, and bunks. The boat, likely a 30-footer and more often a 40-footer, will have electronics for navigation and entertainment, refrigeration if the trip is longer than a coastal hop, an engine for light wind, and, depending on our appetites for food and fun, perhaps a genset to power our toys and appliances.
To go sailing , however, all we really need is a hull, mast, rudder, and sail. To experience the pure joy of sheeting in and scooting off across a lake, bay, or even the open ocean, there’s nothing better than a small sailboat – we’re talking sailboats under 25 feet. You can literally reach out and touch the water as it flows past. You instantly feel every puff of breeze and sense every change in trim.
Some of the boats in this list are new designs, others are time-tested models from small sailboat manufacturers, but every one is easy to rig, simple to sail, and looks like a whole lot of fun either for a solo outing on a breezy afternoon or to keep family and friends entertained throughout your entire sailing season. This list is made up of all types of sailboats , and if you’re looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats for beginners, you’ll find exactly that here.
Any one of these popular boats could be labeled as a trailerable sailboat, daysailer, or even a weekender sailboat. And while most would be labeled as a one or two person sailboat, some could comfortably fit three or even four people.
– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Marblehead 22 Daysailer
If you have an eye for elegant lines and your heart goes pitter-patter over just the right amount of overhang beneath a counter transom, the Marblehead 22 daysailer, designed by Doug Zurn and built by Samoset Boatworks in Boothbay, Maine, will definitely raise your pulse. Traditional-looking above the waterline and modern beneath, the cold-molded hull sports a deep bulb keel and a Hall Spars carbon-fiber mast with a wishbone rig and square-top main. The 11-foot-9-inch cockpit can seat a crowd, and a small cuddy forward will let you stow your friends’ gear for the day. samosetboatworks.com
Catalina 22 Sport
Many a harbor plays host to an active fleet of Catalina 22s, one of the most popular small sailboats over the years, given its basic amenities and retractable keel, which allows it to be easily trailered. Recently, the company introduced the Catalina 22 Sport, an updated design that can compete with the older 22s. The boat features a retractable lead keel; a cabin that can sleep four, with a forward hatch for ventilation; and a fractional rig with a mainsail and a roller-furling jib. Lifelines, a swim ladder, and an engine are options, as are cloth cushions; vinyl cushions are standard. The large cockpit will seat a crowd or let a mom-and-pop crew stretch out and enjoy their sail. It’s clear why the Catalina 22 is one of the best sailboats under 25 feet. catalinayachts.com
With its large, open-transom cockpit and sloop rig, the Hunter 22 makes a comfortable daysailer for family and friends. But with its cuddy cabin, twin bunks, optional electrical system, opening screened ports, and portable toilet, a parent and child or a couple could comfortably slip away for an overnight or weekend. Add in the optional performance package, which includes an asymmetric spinnaker, a pole, and a mainsheet traveler, and you could be off to the races. The boat features a laminated fiberglass hull and deck, molded-in nonskid, and a hydraulic lifting centerboard. Mount a small outboard on the stern bracket, and you’re set to go. marlow-hunter.com
Not sure whether you want to race, cruise or just go out for an afternoon sail? Since 1958, sailors have been having a ball aboard the Uffa Fox/George O’Day-designed Daysailer. Fox, who in the 1950s was on the cutting edge of planning-dinghy design, collaborated with Fall River, Massachusetts boatbuilder O’Day Corp. to build the 16-foot Daysailer, a boat that features a slippery hull and a small cuddy cabin that covers the boat roughly from the mast forward. Thousands of Daysailers were built by various builders, and they can be found used for quite affordable prices. There are active racing fleets around the US, and new Daysailers are still in production today, built by Cape Cod Ship Building. capecodshipbuilding.com
BayRaider from Swallow Boats
Easy to rig and trailer, the BayRaider from England’s Swallow Yachts is a relative newcomer to the small-boat market in the United States. Nearly all of its 19 feet 9 inches is open cockpit, though a spray hood can be added to keep the forward sections dry. The BayRaider is ketch-rigged with a gunter-style mainmast. The topmast and mizzen are both carbon-fiber, which is an option for the mainmast as well. The BayRaider can be sailed with a dry hull in lighter conditions or with 300 pounds of water ballast to increase its stability. With the centerboard and hinged rudder raised, the boat can maneuver in even the thinnest water.
$28,900, (904) 234-8779, swallowyachts.com
Big fun can come in small packages, especially if your vessel of choice happens to be the 12 ½-foot Beetle Cat. Designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921, the wooden shallow draft sailboat is still in production today in Wareham, Massachusetts at the Beetle Boat Shop. With a draft of just 2 feet, the boat is well-suited for shallow bays, but equally at home in open coastal waters. The single gaff-rigged sail provides plenty of power in light air and can be quickly reefed down to handle a blow. In a word, sailing a Beetle Cat is fun. beetlecat.com
– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
West Wight Potter P 19
With berths for four and a workable galley featuring a cooler, a sink, and a stove, West Wight Potter has packed a lot into its 19-foot-long P 19. First launched in 1971, this is a line of boats that’s attracted a true following among trailer-sailors. The P 19′s fully retractable keel means that you can pull up just about anywhere and go exploring. Closed-cell foam fore and aft makes the boat unsinkable, and thanks to its hard chine, the boat is reportedly quite stable under way. westwightpotter.com
NorseBoat 17.5
Designed for rowing and sailing (a motor mount is optional), the Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5—one of which was spotted by a CW editor making its way through the Northwest Passage with a two-man crew—features an open cockpit, a carbon-fiber mast, and a curved-gaff rig, with an optional furling headsail set on a sprit. The lapstrake hull is fiberglass; the interior is ply and epoxy. The boat comes standard with two rowing stations and one set of 9-foot oars. The boat is designed with positive flotation and offers good load-carrying capacity, which you could put to use if you added the available canvas work and camping tent. NorseBoats offers a smaller sibling, the 12.5, as well; both are available in kit form.
$19,000, (902) 659-2790, norseboat.com
Montgomery 17
Billed as a trailerable pocket cruiser, the Montgomery 17 is a stout-looking sloop designed by Lyle Hess and built out of fiberglass in Ontario, California, by Montgomery Boats. With a keel and centerboard, the boat draws just under 2 feet with the board up and can be easily beached when you’re gunkholing. In the cuddy cabin you’ll find sitting headroom, a pair of bunks, a portable toilet, optional shore and DC power, and an impressive amount of storage space. The deck-stepped mast can be easily raised using a four-part tackle. The builder reports taking his own boat on trips across the Golfo de California and on visits to California’s coastal islands. Montgomery makes 15-foot and 23-foot models, as well. If you’re in search of a small sailboat with a cabin, the Montgomery 17 has to be on your wish list.
With long overhangs and shiny brightwork, the CW Hood 32 is on the larger end of the daysailer spectrum. Designers Chris Hood and Ben Stoddard made a conscious decision to forego a cabin and head in favor of an open cockpit big enough to bring 4 or 5 friends or family out for an afternoon on the water. The CW Hood 32 is sleek and graceful through the water and quick enough to do some racing, but keeps things simple with a self-tacking jib and controls that can be lead back to a single-handed skipper. A top-furling asymmetrical, electric sail drive and Torqeedo outboard are all optional. The CW Hood 32 makes for a great small family sailboat. cwhoodyachts.com
Sun Cat from Com-Pac
Shallow U.S. East Coast bays and rock-strewn coasts have long been graced by cat boats, whose large, gaff-rigged mainsails proved simple and powerful both on the wind and, better yet, when reaching and running. The 17-foot-4-inch Sun Cat, built by Com-Pac Yachts, updates the classic wooden cat with its fiberglass hull and deck and the easy-to-step Mastender Rigging System, which incorporates a hinged tabernacle to make stepping the mast a one-person job. If you want a personal sailboat ideal for solo sailing, the Sun Can is a great choice. Belowdecks, the twin 6-foot-5-inch berths and many other features and amenities make this cat a willing weekender.
$19,800, (727) 443-4408, com-pacyachts.com
Catalina 16.5
The Catalina 16.5 sits right in the middle of Catalina Yachts’ line of small sailboats, which range from the 12.5 to the 22 Capri and Sport, and it comes in both an easy-to-trailer centerboard model and a shoal-draft fixed-keel configuration. With the fiberglass board up, the 17-foot-2-inch boat draws just 5 inches of water; with the board down, the 4-foot-5-inch draft suggests good windward performance. Hull and deck are hand-laminated fiberglass. The roomy cockpit is self-bailing, and the bow harbors a good-sized storage area with a waterproof hatch. catalinayachts.com
No roundup of best small sailboats (trailerable and fun too) would be complete without a mention of the venerable Hobie 16, which made its debut in Southern California way back in 1969. The company has introduced many other multihulls since, but more than 100,000 of the 16s have been launched, a remarkable figure. The Hobie’s asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam hulls eliminate the need for daggerboards, and with its kick-up rudders, the 16 can be sailed right up to the beach. Its large trampoline offers lots of space to move about or a good place to plant one’s feet when hanging off the double trapezes with a hull flying. The boat comes with a main and a jib; a spinnaker, douse kit, trailer, and beach dolly are optional features. hobiecat.com
Novice sailors or old salts looking for simplicity could both enjoy sailing the Hunter 15. With a fiberglass hull and deck and foam flotation, the boat is sturdily built. The ample freeboard and wide beam provide stability under way, and the heavy-duty rubrail and kick-up rudder mean that you won’t have to worry when the dock looms or the going grows shallow. Both the 15 and its slightly larger 18-foot sibling come standard with roller-furling jibs.
$6,900/$9,500 (boat-show prices for the 15 and 18 includes trailers), (386) 462-3077, marlow-hunter.com
– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Super Snark
Under various owners, the Snark brand of sailboats, now built by Meyers Boat Co., has been around since the early 1970s. The Super Snark, at 11 feet, is a simple, easily car-topped daysailer that’s fit out with a lateen rig and sail. Billed as unsinkable, the five boats in the company’s line are built with E.P.S. foam, with the external hull and deck vacuum-formed to the core using an A.B.S. polymer. The Super Snark weighs in at 50 pounds, and with a payload capacity of 310 pounds, the boat can carry two.
$970, (800) 247-6275, meyersboat.com
Norseboat 21.5
Built in Canada, the NorseBoat 21.5 is a rugged looking craft that comes in a couple of configurations: one with an open cockpit and small doghouse, and another with a smaller cockpit and cabin that houses a double berth for two adults and optional quarter berths for the kids. Both carry NorseBoat’s distinctive looking carbon fiber gaff-rigged mast with main and jib (a sprit-set drifter is optional), and come with a ballasted stub keel and centerboard. Because of its lightweight design, the boat can be rowed and is easily trailered.
$36,000 (starting), 902-659-2790, norseboat.com
Flying Scot
Talk about time-tested, the 19-foot Flying Scot has been in production since 1957 and remains a popular design today. Sloop rigged, with a conventional spinnaker for downwind work, the boat is an easily sailed family boat as well as a competitive racer, with over 130 racing fleets across the U.S. Its roomy cockpit can seat six to eight, though the boat is often sailed by a pair or solo. Hull and deck are a fiberglass and balsa core sandwich. With the centerboard up, the boat draws only eight inches. Though intended to be a daysailer, owners have rigged boom tents and berths for overnight trips, and one adventurous Scot sailor cruised his along inland waterways from Philadelphia to New Orleans.
Known primarily for its line of racing dinghys, RS Sailing also builds the 16-foot, 4-inch Venture, which it describes as a cruising and training dinghy. The Venture features a large, self-draining cockpit that will accommodate a family or pack of kids. A furling jib and mainsail with slab reefing come standard with the boat; a gennaker and trapeze kit are options, as is an outboard motor mount and transom swim ladder. The deck and hull are laid up in a fiberglass and Coremat sandwich. The Venture’s designed to be both a good performer under sail, but also stable, making it a good boat for those learning the sport.
$14,900, 203-259-7808, rssailing.com
Topper makes a range of mono- and multihull rotomolded boats, but the model that caught one editor’s eye at Strictly Sail Chicago was the Topaz Taz. At 9 feet, 8 inches LOA and weighing in at 88 pounds, the Taz is not going to take the whole crowd out for the day. But, with the optional mainsail and jib package (main alone is for a single child), the Taz can carry two or three kids or an adult and one child, and would make a fun escape pod when tied behind the big boat and towed to some scenic harbor. The hull features Topper’s Trilam construction, a plastic and foam sandwich that creates a boat that’s stiff, light, and durable, and shouldn’t mind being dragged up on the beach when it’s time for a break.
$2,900 (includes main and jib), 410-286-1960, topazsailboats.com
WindRider WRTango
WRTango, a fast, sturdy, 10-foot trimaran that’s easy to sail, is the newest portable craft from WindRider International. It joins a line that includes the WR16 and WR17 trimarans. The Tango features forward-facing seating, foot-pedal steering, and a low center of gravity that mimics the sensation of sitting in a kayak. It weighs 125 pounds (including the outriggers and carbon-fiber mast), is extremely stable, and has single-sheet sail control. The six-inch draft and kick-up rudder make it great for beaching, while the hull and outriggers are made of rotomolded polyethylene, so it can withstand running into docks and being dragged over rocks.
$3,000, 612-338-2170, windrider.com
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Morgan 24/25
She's fast and roomy, but plagued by centerboard problems that are tough to avoid..
Back in 1965, a St. Petersburg, Florida sailmaker named Charlie Morgan, who had been dab bling with custom racing yacht design and had come up with a remarkable string of winners, started producing a series of small- to medium-sized production boats. Introduced late that year, the Morgan 24 joined the Morgan 30, 34 and 38, becoming an instant success as a fast cruiser and club racer.
Morgan 24/25 specifications
In 1968 the Morgan Yacht Corporation was bought by the conglomerate, Beatrice Foods, and by early 1969 the Morgan 24 had been renamed the Morgan 25, with some changes in specifications and options. For example, although the actual length overall remained at 24′ 11-3/4″, the advertised length moved from 24′ 11″ to 25′ 0″; inboard diesel and gasoline engine options were offered in addition to outboard power; toerails switched from teak to molded fiberglass; and the transom outboard cutout was eliminated in favor of an optional outboard bracket.
Morgan Yachts was later resold to Thor Industries and most recently to Catalina Yachts. After about 1972 more changes were made. The hull-deck connection went from through-bolted to pop-riveted; rigging blocks were downsized; window frames were changed from silver anodized aluminum to black plastic; the water tank changed from stainless steel (Monel in the early boats) to galvanized. The last Morgan 25s were built in 1976. Over the years, between 400 and 500 were built.
The Morgan 24/25s long waterline, very well balanced hull, relatively low wetted surface, large sailplan (for its vintage), and attention to small details like well-shaped foil blades and flush-faced through-hulls, provide good speed and close-winded sailing for the racer. At the same time, its shallow draft (2′ 9″ board up) and relatively roomy layout below appeal to the cruising sailor.
The boat has firm bilges to help with form stability, and a reasonable 5,000 pounds of displacement. However, with ballast placed relatively high due to the shallowness of its keel, the Morgan 24/25 is a bit on the tender side in heavy air.
The cockpit is eight feet long, but underway it comfortably seats just two on each side of a long (4-1/2′) low tiller that extends within 22 inches of the companionway. In a race, the third and fourth crew, if any, have to move from cockpit to cabintop, due to crowding and because the boat tends to get stern-heavy with crew weight aft. Because of this, serious racers tend to remove the outboard engine from the transom and stow it below, if rules permit.
The cockpit sole slopes aft to a single centerline scupper through the transom, and this works satisfactorily except for a puddle of water that gathers on the leeward side in rain, and except for the smallish scupper size (1-1/4″ diameter), which some owners have enlarged for faster drainage.
The base M/24 was offered as a relatively bare cruising version, with small (#2) South Coast sheet winches, end-boom sheeting without a traveler, short genoa tracks along the toerails, and no spinnaker gear. An extra-cost optional racing package included spinnaker gear, #3 genoa winches, longer genoa track, six extra cleats, two extra genoa cars, boom vang, snatch blocks, and traveler. Other extras included stainless bow pulpit, lifelines and stanchions, interior and running lights, and compass. The factory-installed options were fairly expensive, with the result that many sailors bought the base version and added equipment themselves. That, plus the fact that M/24s were available at one point as kits, may account for the wide variation in quality, style, and placement of equipment.
Construction
As one owner puts it, only slightly mixing metaphors, The Morgan is a Chevrolet, not a Hinckley. For the most part, owners mention defects in passing but on the whole are very satisfied. One says his forward V-berth bulkhead came loose and had to be refastened, but also reports that fiberglass work is generally neat and strong.
Most boats came off the line with faucet-type gate valves on the through-hulls; many owners report replacing them with more suitable barrel or ball valves.
On the older 24s with teak toerails, the deck is fastened to the hull along a wide L-shaped flange with 1/4-inch stainless bolts on 2-inch centers, with every other bolt passing through both teak and fiberglass-a very strong arrangement. But on the newer 25s, the teak rail was eliminated and the joint fastened with pop rivets, a weaker system that is more likely to leak.
Common problems on both 24s and 25s include leaky windows and crazed Plexiglas; a mast hinge that is virtually useless due to lack of provision for preventing side sway when lowering or raising the mast; dissatisfaction with the dated appearance of the simulated wood-grain mica bulkhead finish, which requires major effort to remove and replace; and centerboard difficulties.
The centerboard pennant arrangement is probably the weakest design detail on the boat. The board itself is a well-shaped, high-aspect ratio, solid fiberglass unit in a trunk beneath the cabin sole. The 1/8-inch stainless steel pennant wire attaches at one end of a groove molded into the top of the board, winds its way via a stainless steel piston through a stuffing box to a turning sheave forward, then through two more sheaves an to a small winch mounted on the cockpit wall. Several problems can arise due to this design. The lower portion of the pennant, being exposed to seawater, tends to corrode rapidly, and is impossible to inspect without complete disassembly. Hence frequent inspection, requiring a haul-out or scuba gear, is advised. In southern waters, some pennants have failed in less than a year of service. Additionally, several owners report trouble with cracking and leaking in the short stub of hose that bridges the stuffing box and trunk. And unless the owner adds stops at both its ends, the piston can part company with the stuffing box and possibly sink the boat.
Other centerboard-related problems: The turning sheave, under the sole forward of the trunk, is almost inaccessible; owners are well advised to cut an access hole and lubricate the sheave frequently to minimize corrosion. And on some boards, insufficient glass reinforcement around the pin can result in eventual cracking or breakage of the board at the pin hole.
The 24s and 25s at various times were made with two different interior arrangements: (1) a dinette model with a single sail locker to port, and (2) a two-quarterberth model with twin sail lockers. The dinette version has less space for sail stowage, and there is a considerable amount of wasted space under the starboard cockpit seat unless an access hole is cut in the plywood bulkhead aft of the quarterberth (which is often done). For cruising, however, the dinette model wins hands down, given the greater storage space in the galley and a hanging locker, better privacy inherent in the position of the offset head, and a sizable table for dining or laying out charts. Sitting at the dinette is uncomfortable for four people due to the deck overhanging the outboard seats. In all, most agree that the 24/25 is really a two-sleeper, two-eater vessel.
Morgan 24/25 Plans
Still, the boat has practically all the interior conveniences one could want in a small cruiser, including galley, sink, ice chest, marine toilet in a private compartment, good sized berths, long self-bailing cockpit with at least one sail locker, and 5′ 8″ headroom.
The sixtyish interior aesthetics are not great and vary with model year. In 1965 the Morgan brochure says mahogany interior trim but by 1967 the standard interior was bulkheads… paneled in woodgrained mica, with oiled American Walnut trim. Carpeted cabin sole was standard, with a teak sole optional.
A common complaint among owners is that there is no good place to store a portable gas tank. The usual place is in the cabin, aft of the companionway ladder, but that can be a source of annoying-and dangerous-fumes. A 6-gallon tank can be wedged between the cockpit seats, but limits footroom and movement around the cockpit, and the extra weight in the cockpit does nothing to help performance.
Other complaints include the fact that the icebox drain runs into the bilge, providing a source of potential odors; and that ventilation is only so-so. A cowl vent fitted on the foredeck, plus a mushroom vent over the forward hatch, are recommended additions.
Performance
The long, deep board helps the 24/25 to point high, and its low wetted surface, especially with board up, gives extra speed on reaches and runs. The boat performs best in 5 to 15 knots of breeze, but can handle much higher winds when properly reefed, though several owners reported that the boat could be a bit stiffer.
The 24/25 is unusually well balanced, and in ordinary weather can be made to self-steer on a beat or close reach with tiller lashed. However, in very heavy air carrying a chute, it has a marked tendency to broach.
A typical PHRF rating is 219, compared to a J/24 at 171 and a Cape Dory 25 at 261.
Pride of ownership seems particularly evident among owners of the early M/24s, who tend to turn up their noses at the later M/25 as a less sturdy and well-appointed boat. Over the years, both models, and particularly kit boats, are likely to have had major changes to equipment and rigging, some good, some bad. Consequently, prospective buyers should check to be sure any such modifications are appropriate, and should keep in mind that these boats are now 18 to 28 years old, so should be closely inspected for gear that can fail due to aging. Most such gear is repairable, but at a cost. Still, if you find one on which extensive work isn’t necessary, it can be a real bargain as well as a real pleasure to own and use.
In 1972 the Morgan 25 had a base price of $7,495. Earlier models in reasonable condition can be had today for about $5,000, more depending on sail inventories end equipment. Inboard models of the 25 are higher yet, though we feel the outboard model is a better choice.
The Morgan 24/25 makes a wonderful small cruiser and club racer, and can be a solid value if you buy the right boat. Construction quality has varied over the years, and so has quality and quantity of equipment purchased by individual owners. Moreover, all 24s and 25s, even the good ones, are beginning to show their age. Buyers are advised to make a careful inspection to be sure they’re not getting a boat with more problems than they care to handle.
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I’m Arch Davis – I learned boatbuilding and design in New Zealand in the 1970s. I have been helping people to build beautiful wooden boats since 1988. You can see a few of them by clicking on Picture Gallery . My approach to design is to put into your hands the means to use modern materials – marine plywood and epoxy resin – to build a truly lovely boat with classic lines. I believe that a boat should be beautiful, not just by virtue of her lines, but also in her construction. No material makes this possible like wood. My aim is to take advantage of wood’s unique strengths, in a structure that captivates the eye. I want you to feel that you are always doing good work in building one of these boats.  You’ll see that I have a small collection of designs. That is because I understand your need for clear, comprehensible, detailed plans and instructions. I put a lot of time into my drawings, building manuals and DVDs. I also spend a lot of time helping people through their projects, on the phone or by e-mail. I really am here to help!  If you see something that you like in my collection, please feel free to contact me with any questions. I am available on the phone at 207-930-9873, or email me at [email protected] . Wooden Boat Plans and Boat Kits by Arch Davis Grace's Tender - More than just a tender, this little dinghy is a fine vessel in her own right. She is a pleasure to row, and sprightly under her simple sailing rig - a great boat for youngsters to mess about in. Bay Pilot 18 - an 18 ft pilothouse cruiser for outboard power. Laughing Gull - 16 ft self-bailing sailing/rowing skiff. Ace 14 - 14 ft performance daysailer Penobscot 13 - 13 ft little sister to Penobscot 14. Penobscot 14 - 14 ft glued lapstrake sailing/rowing skiff. Penobscot 17 - big sister to the Penobscot 14 Sand Dollar - 11 ft sailing/rowing skiff. Jack Tar - 26 ft plywood lobster boat design Jiffy 9-7 - suitable for rowing or a small outboard motor Jiffy 22 - outboard powered cabin skiff Jiffv V-22 - vee-bottom sister of the Jiffy 22 About My Boat KitsI also have epoxy kits and plywood packages for all my designs, plus sails, rigging, and numerous other items. Here's my daughter, Grace, setting up the frames for a Grace's Tender kit. 
Please call or write to me at: Arch Davis Design 37 Doak Road Belfast, Maine 04915 Tel:207-930-9873If you would like to receive a newsletter from Arch Davis Design, send me an e-mail at [email protected]
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