Achilles 840 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

27.75' · 8.46 m

Displ.

5,500 lbs · 2,495 kg

First year

1979

The Achilles 840, introduced in 1979, represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Butler Mouldings Ltd. While the firm's earlier successes—most notably the Achilles 24—were collaborations with designer Oliver Lee, the 840 was one of the first models designed "from a clean sheet of paper" by company founder Chris Butler. Measuring 27 feet 7 inches (8.4 meters), the 840 was conceived to bridge the gap between the smaller coastal cruisers and the larger, bluewater 9meter variant. It was built during the peak of British GRP manufacturing, characterized by robust handlaid laminates and a focus on structural integrity. Unlike many of its contemporaries that leaned toward the burgeoning "floating caravan" trend, the Achilles 840 remained a dedicated cruiserracer, prioritizing a slippery hull form and seaworthiness over maximum interior volume.