Design and Construction
Both the hull and deck are solid fiberglass, with the deck using a balsa-sandwich layup. The core was intended to moderate the cabin climate by reducing condensation, but it is also the boat’s main structural caveat. Every penetration through the sandwich—whether for winches, deck hardware, or later owner additions—must be carefully sealed to prevent water from reaching the core.
The fin keel is iron and draws between 4.10 and 4.40 feet, depending on load. That is shallow enough for modest marinas. The boat carries 1,874 pounds of ballast on a displacement of 3,968 pounds, giving a ballast ratio of 47 percent. This produces a measured steadiness rather than a racing-light feel. A length-to-beam ratio of 2.86 also keeps the hull comparatively narrow for its era.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Granada 24 has a masthead sloop rig and a 246-square-foot sail plan. The period database specifies consistent dimensions of 20.9 meters for the halyard and 7.1 meters for the jib sheet.
With the ISO reference sail, her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.1. It rises to 18.0 with a 135 percent genoa—enough to place her among moderate racers on a displacement-length index of 185.
The theoretical hull speed is 6.2 knots. Under power, a Vire 7 inboard limits her to about 4.5 knots, while an outboard is frequently fitted for docking and close-quarters maneuvering. Her capsize screening value is 2.06, which would exclude her from sanctioned ocean races and fairly frames the Granada 24 as a coastal boat rather than a bluewater candidate.
Accommodations
Below decks, the Granada 24 sleeps five in a mahogany interior typical in tone of many production boats from the period. She also fits a galley and toilet facility within her 23-foot-5-inch hull.
With an 8-foot-3-inch beam and a 21-foot-2-inch waterline, the cabin is compact but functional for a small family or two couples on a short trip. The balsa-cored deck above also helps keep the interior dry on cool nights.
Known Issues and Ownership Cautions
In addition to the risks associated with water entering the deck core, prospective owners should account for differences in construction quality. The Granada 24 was offered as a home-completed kit, so the standard of finish can vary from hull to hull. A survey needs to assess each boat on its own merits.
The immersion rate of 607 pounds per inch and the roughly 193-square-foot wetted surface area are ordinary for a boat of this size. However, because examples may have been factory- or amateur-completed, rigging tightness, deck fastenings, and interior joinery should be inspected against the boat’s stated dimensions rather than assumed to be consistent.
The Verdict
The Granada 24 is a coherent small Danish sloop from the mid-1970s: narrow enough to feel tidy, sufficiently ballasted to stand up, and fitted with a balsa-cored deck that demands care around every bolt hole. She is first and foremost a coastal and lake sailor. The rig benefits from a genoa, while either the inboard or an outboard can cover docking needs. Because some boats were home-completed, careful buyer diligence is non-negotiable.
Pros
- Balsa-sandwich deck improves cabin comfort and reduces condensation
- 47 percent ballast ratio and iron fin keel provide settled, predictable motion
- Draft is shallow enough for modest marinas
- Masthead rig with a genoa raises the sail-area-to-displacement ratio to 18.0
Cons
- Balsa core requires meticulous sealing around every deck penetration
- Build quality varies among home-completed boats
- Capsize screening value of 2.06 excludes her from ocean racing
