Balaton 24 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

24.44' · 7.45 m

Displ.

4,189 lbs · 1,900 kg

First year

1966

The Balaton 24 stands as a quintessential representative of the Hungarian yachting industry during the height of the Cold War, a period when the stateowned Hungarian Shipyards & Crane Factory (MHD) turned its industrial prowess toward recreational leisure craft. Built primarily at the Balatonfüred Shipyard on the northern shores of Lake Balaton, the 24footer was engineered to bridge the gap between the smaller, more basic daysailers and the larger, more luxurious Balaton 31. It was designed specifically for the unique environment of the "Hungarian Sea," where shallow depths, shortperiod chop, and sudden, violent squalls dictate a specific set of naval architectural requirements. As a result, the Balaton 24 is characterized by a moderate draft, high initial stability, and a robust fiberglass layup that has allowed many of these vessels to remain in active service decades after the factory ceased production.