Yamaha 21 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Yamaha 21 emerged during a significant period for Yamaha's marine division, which began exporting sailboats to the United States in the late 1970s. Yamaha, under the vision of founder Genichi Kawakami, embraced a philosophy of "enjoy life" which drove the company's expansion into diverse product lines, including marine products. A pioneer in FRP technology, Yamaha leveraged its expertise to construct hulls with remarkable accuracy, a commitment to precision that underpinned their reputation for quality.

The designation "JOG III" (Junior Offshore Group, Mark III) strongly suggests the Yamaha 21 was designed with an emphasis on racing or performance-oriented cruising in mind. While specific designer philosophies for this model are not extensively detailed, the broader Yamaha design ethos of the era aimed to create well-engineered, reliable, and performance-oriented vessels. The company's "Stripe" boat design, for instance, was based on open ocean racing experience, a competitive spirit that likely influenced smaller performance models like the Yamaha 21. There is no widely available information suggesting significant variations or different marks during the production run of the Yamaha 21.

Sailing Performance and Handling

For a vessel of its size, the Yamaha 21 exhibits characteristics indicative of a lively and responsive sailing experience. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 18.70, she suggests good performance, especially in lighter air, allowing her to accelerate quickly and maintain speed even in marginal conditions. The Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of around 200 indicates a relatively light displacement for her waterline length of 17.39 feet, further reinforcing her performance-oriented design and potential for nimble handling.

The ballast to displacement ratio, at roughly 30.9%, suggests a moderate level of stiffness. While perhaps not designed to stand up to extreme gusts without a reef, this ratio, coupled with her fin keel and transom-hung rudder, would contribute to a sensitive helm and agile maneuvering, making her an engaging boat to sail. Her hull speed is calculated at 5.59 knots, a respectable pace for a boat with a length overall of just over 21 feet. The design, with its "supple" nature mentioned in period literature, hints at a boat that is responsive and adaptable to varying wind conditions, aiming to "capture every wind."

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact length overall of 21.1 feet, the Yamaha 21's interior is designed for maximizing utility rather than extensive comfort. While specific detailed layouts are scarce, contemporary marketing materials for the Yamaha 21 JOG III describe a "cabin interior neatly" arranged to create "more useful space for your use." This likely means a fairly open-plan interior with basic amenities typical of small cruisers from its era. Expect a V-berth forward for sleeping, possibly a small settee or two, and limited standing headroom (the max_headroom_ft is not specified, but for a boat of this size, it would be minimal).

Storage would likely consist of under-berth compartments and perhaps small shelves or lockers. The emphasis on "useful space" also suggests clever design solutions to make the most of the limited volume. Ventilation would typically be provided by a forward hatch and possibly small portlights, though specifics on materials like wood trim versus fiberglass are not widely documented for this particular model.

Owner's Perspectives

Information regarding specific owner perspectives, common problems, or recurring maintenance issues for the Yamaha 21 sailboat is not readily available through general grounded search, with much of the online discussion focusing on Yamaha's more prevalent powerboat lines. Therefore, it is challenging to synthesize a collective viewpoint from owners of this particular sailboat model. However, drawing from the general reputation of Yamaha sailboats from that era, owners often praised the company's commitment to robust FRP construction and the respectable sailing performance of their designs. It can be inferred that owners of the Yamaha 21 likely appreciate its nimble handling and the underlying build quality characteristic of Yamaha's early marine manufacturing.