American 21 Information, Review, Specs

The American 21 began its production run in 1973 under the auspices of American Fiberglass Corporation, a Norwalk, Connecticut-based builder renowned for making sailing accessible through innovative and affordable designs. While specific design philosophies for the American 21 are not widely documented, it can be inferred that its creation aligned with the company's broader ethos of offering exciting performance at a reasonable cost. The builder, co-founded by designer Art Javes and financier Billy Mills, prioritized user-friendly experiences, a principle evident in their flagship Aqua Cat. The American 21, designed by Ron Bertholf, features a fiberglass solid hull and deck construction, typical of the era. No significant variations or different marks of the American 21 appear to have been widely produced or documented during its manufacturing period.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 21 feet and a waterline length of 17.67 feet, the American 21 is a relatively light displacement monohull, weighing 2200 pounds with 550 pounds of lead ballast. For a vessel of this size, traditional performance ratios such as sail area to displacement or ballast to displacement are less indicative of its sailing characteristics. A key design feature is its lifting keel, allowing for a variable draft from a shallow 1.5 feet to a maximum of 4 feet. This design enhances its versatility, making it easily trailerable and suitable for exploring shallow anchorages, while still providing sufficient draft for upwind performance when the keel is fully deployed. While detailed anecdotal reviews of the American 21's handling are not widely available, its light displacement and masthead sloop rig suggest it would be a responsive boat in moderate conditions, offering a lively sailing experience common to many smaller, trailerable sailboats.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the American 21's interior accommodations is limited. With an overall length of 21 feet, it is typical for boats of this size to offer basic amenities, primarily designed for day sailing or short weekend cruises. The maximum headroom within the cabin is not specified in available data, suggesting that full standing headroom is unlikely, which is common for boats in this size range. The interior would likely feature a simple layout, typically including a V-berth forward for sleeping, and possibly small settees or a convertible dinette in the main salon area. A basic galley setup might consist of a small counter, sink, and perhaps space for a portable stove. Storage would be modest, consisting of lockers under bunks and perhaps some shelving. Given American Fiberglass Corporation's focus on affordability and accessibility, the interior finish would likely be functional and durable, emphasizing fiberglass surfaces with minimal wood trim, characteristic of many production boats from the early 1970s.