Design and Construction
The 24/70 carries a heavily laid-up fibreglass hull with a moulded bulb keel shape achieved by bolting modular keel moulds into a single hull mould, a construction method that eliminated the need for keel bolts. The fin-and-skeg hull form, shared with the later Hurley 30/90, gives the boat good performance and manoeuvrability according to Sailing Today's assessment anchor, while the reverse-counter transom and counter stern lengthen the waterline when sailing and heeled. A raised coachroof provided standing headroom and the cockpit coamings were raised for family safety, yet the high freeboard topsides that resulted created a windage problem the designer accepted in exchange for interior volume.
Rig and Handling
Anderson gave the 24/70 a masthead sloop rig with a short boom and large genoa in a high-aspect configuration favoured by IRC and JOG racers of the period. The narrow main rarely needs reefing and its short boom stays clear of the cockpit, but on its own it does not power the boat in light wind, so the large genoa does the work. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 13.5, the boat is under-powered and may need to motor-sail in calm conditions, yet the 61 percent ballast ratio makes her stiff and stable in strong winds and gives a very high ability to resist heeling. The capsize screening value of 1.85 places her among designs acceptable for ocean races by that measure alone, and Yachting Monthly found her a comfortable, seaworthy heavy-displacement cruiser that handles rough seas well.
Accommodations
Below, the 24/70 splits into two separate cabins with six-foot headroom in the main saloon and four six-foot berths plus an enclosed heads compartment. The raised coachroof that creates this space also raises the roofline enough that seated cockpit visibility forward is poor unless the boat is heeled. Sailing Today noted the below-decks layout as comfortable and spacious with two cabins and enclosed heads anchor. The side decks are too narrow for easy movement forward, a trade against the beamy interior.
Known Issues
Several service-history problems mark the design. The original Vire 5hp and Petter Mini Twin engines fitted new were considered unreliable, and few are thought to remain in service. Like other Hurleys, the 24/70 can suffer from mast compression and osmosis over time. The high coachroof and freeboard produce windage and the noted forward-visibility blind spot, while the narrow side decks constrain deck movement. None of these are fatal, but they shape how the boat is lived with.
Refits and Ownership
Most surviving 24/70s now carry Yanmar 1GM10 9-hp, Beta 13-hp, BMW D12 10-hp, or Farryman 7-hp diesels in place of the original units, and some were delivered new with only an outboard on a stern bracket. Owners have added staysails or spinnakers for versatility and windvane self-steering for distance work. Spare parts remain obtainable through the Hurley owner community, and the boat is easy to maintain and repair.
The Verdict
The Hurley 24/70 is a thoughtfully stretched Hurley 22 that trades a little light-air drive for a roomy, safe, stiff little cruiser with ocean-passage credentials on paper. She suits a small crew for coastal or longer passages and remains serviceable through community support and sensible repowering.
Pros
- Stiff and stable with high ballast ratio and low capsize risk
- Roomy two-cabin layout with enclosed heads and six-foot berths
- Fin-and-skeg hull with moulded bulb keel needs no keel bolts
- Easy to manage short-handed and well supported by owners
Cons
- Original engines unreliable; most need repowering
- Narrow side decks and poor seated forward visibility
- Light-air performance weak under main alone; windage from freeboard
- Susceptible to mast compression and osmosis
