Great Lakes 21 Information, Review, Specs

Constructed initially using the company's signature molded plywood process—before the transition to fiberglass production in the early 1960s—the Great Lakes 21 features a hard-chined hull and a massive cockpit designed to accommodate large crews or families. It occupies a unique niche in the history of Tartan Yachts, serving as a bridge between the high-performance dinghy racing world and the more substantial, fixed-keel cruising yachts that would later define the company's output under the Tartan name.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Great Lakes 21 are defined by its Sandy Douglass pedigree: a fine entry at the bow that transitions into a flat, wide run aft, optimized for planing. Despite its 21-foot length and significant beam, the boat remains remarkably sensitive to trim. It handles much like an oversized dinghy, requiring active weight management and precise sail control. The large sail plan, typically featuring a high-aspect-ratio mainsail and a powerful jib, provides enough drive to bring the boat onto a plane in moderate breezes, a feat rarely seen in other 21-foot day-sailers of its era.

Handling is characterized by high initial stability due to the wide beam, though like the Highlander, it relies on its centerboard for upwind tracking. Owners often report that the boat feels "stiff" compared to the Thistle, making it a more forgiving platform for less experienced sailors or those sailing in choppy conditions. However, because it lacks a weighted keel, the Great Lakes 21 still requires a vigilant hand on the mainsheet in gusty air. The rudder is typically large and balanced, providing the leverage necessary to control the hull’s significant surface area when the boat is powered up on a reach.

Popular Mentions & Media

While the Great Lakes 21 does not enjoy the same massive class participation as the Thistle or the Flying Scot, it is a centerpiece in Sandy Douglass’s own narrative of American sailboat design. In his autobiography, Sixty Years Behind the Mast, Douglass details the development of the "Great Lakes" as a design meant to satisfy the demand for a larger, more "yacht-like" version of his planing hulls. The boat is also a staple of Douglass & McLeod historical discussions, often cited as the design that proved the viability of larger-scale planing hulls before the company pivoted toward the Sparkman & Stephens-designed Tartan 27.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Purchasing a Great Lakes 21 today requires a careful eye, as most units are aging wood or early fiberglass examples. Prospective buyers should focus on the following high-signal areas:

• Centerboard Trunk Integrity: Like many centerboarders from Douglass & McLeod, the trunk is a high-stress area. Look for structural cracks or evidence of leaking where the trunk meets the hull floor. In wooden models, rot in the trunk logs is a common and expensive failure.
• Molded Plywood Delamination: For earlier wooden models, check for "soft spots" or separation in the plywood veneers, especially near the waterline and the transom.
• Cockpit Sole and Thwarts: On fiberglass models, the cockpit floor can become delaminated or soft due to water ingress into the core. Additionally, the mahogany thwarts and trim—while beautiful—require constant maintenance and are often found in need of stripping and re-varnishing.
• Mast Step and Compression: The Great Lakes 21 carries a substantial mast. Ensure the mast step is structurally sound and that there is no deformation in the hull directly beneath the compression post area.
• Hardware Backing: Original hardware was often installed with minimal backing. Check for "spidering" or stress cracks in the gelcoat around cleats and winches, which may indicate the need for modern backing plates.

Community & Resources

Support for the Great Lakes 21 is primarily found within the broader Douglass & McLeod and Sandy Douglass enthusiast communities. While it lacks a dedicated national class association like its siblings, technical advice is often shared through the International Highlander Class Association, as many of the rigging and maintenance techniques for the Highlander are directly applicable to the GL-21. General historical data is also maintained by the Great Lakes Historical Society, which tracks the maritime heritage of builders in the Grand River, Ohio area.

The Verdict

The Great Lakes 21 is a "gentleman’s racer" that offers a rare combination of 1950s aesthetic charm and genuine planing performance. It is an ideal vessel for the sailor who appreciates the history of Douglass & McLeod and wants a vintage day-sailer that can still outrun modern production boats in a breeze.

Pros:

• Exhilarating planing performance for its size.
• Enormous cockpit capacity for family day-sailing.
• Beautiful classic lines and high-quality woodwork (on well-maintained models).
• High stability compared to smaller racing dinghies.

Cons:

• Rarity makes finding parts and specific tuning guides difficult.
• Requires more maintenance than modern, "no-frills" fiberglass day-sailers.
• Too large for easy single-handed launching from a ramp without a high-quality trailer.
• No cabin or overnight facilities, limiting it strictly to day use.