Tylercraft 24 Information, Review, Specs

Tylercraft, established by Ted Tyler in 1959, was among the earliest U.S. builders to fully embrace fiberglass for its sailboat line, a material lauded for its durability and reduced maintenance compared to traditional wood. This pioneering spirit defined the company's approach, alongside a penchant for practical design features like bilge keels, a characteristic reportedly influenced by successful British models.

History and Design

The Tylercraft 24 began its production run in 1961, marking a key period for fiberglass boat construction in the United States. Designed by Ted Tyler himself, the boat embodied his vision for accessible and functional cruising. Tylercraft's manufacturing ethos, as detailed in the builder's history, centered on leveraging the then-revolutionary fiberglass technology to create robust and low-maintenance hulls. The model was offered with both twin keel and fin keel versions, providing options for different sailing preferences, with the twin keel variant being particularly suited for shallow waters or drying out on tidal moorings.

An interesting, albeit short-lived, innovation associated with the Tylercraft 24 was the builder's offering of a Wankel auxiliary engine in 1965. This bold move, which even garnered attention in Time magazine (mistakenly referring to it as a "jet engine"), highlights Ted Tyler's experimental approach to boat design and propulsion, even if the Wankel concept did not see widespread adoption in marine applications. The boat's design featured a masthead sloop rig, a spooned raked stem, and a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 24 feet and a waterline length of 20 feet, the Tylercraft 24 is a compact yet capable vessel. It carries a displacement of 4,000 pounds and a ballast of 1,450 pounds, contributing to its stability. The reported sail area of 243 square feet gives the boat a generous sail plan, which owners and reviewers have noted delivers excellent light-air performance. This characteristic makes it an enjoyable boat for day sailing and coastal exploration where lighter breezes are common.

The boat is widely regarded for its overall performance, stability, and maneuverability. The availability of twin keel options (with a maximum draft of 2.0 feet) further enhances its versatility, allowing access to shallower anchorages that might be inaccessible to deeper draft vessels. Its hull speed is calculated at approximately 5.99 knots, indicating a respectable cruising speed for a boat of its size.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior details for the Tylercraft 24 can vary, a typical layout is designed to maximize the available space for sleeping and essential cruising amenities. The interior design saw variations over the production run. Owners can expect basic cruising comforts within the cabin, which, for a boat of this size, is generally described as a spacious cabin capable of supporting overnight or weekend trips. The boat includes a water capacity of 20 gallons (76 liters), suitable for short to medium excursions. Information about headroom varies, but like many boats of its vintage and size, it typically offers standing or near-standing room in key areas for average-height individuals.