Design and Hull Form
The Hutton 24 has a distinctive profile, with generous bow and stern overhangs, a well-raked bow, and pronounced tumblehome in the topsides. These flow into full aft sections and a neat, wide reverse transom.
The wide, buoyant aft sections let the boat slide along very quickly and without fuss. That low-slung hull buoyancy is paired with a fairly high ballast-to-displacement ratio, helping to explain why the boat doesn’t need reefing as early as many other small yachts.
With a maximum beam of 2.7m and a lifting keel, the design trades some side-deck width for interior volume and offshore composure. The side decks are a little narrow.
Construction
The hull bottom is laid up to 30 oz. The builders pay particular attention to the hull-to-deck joint, bonding it with fibreglass from the inside and supplementing that bond with an alloy toe rail that mechanically secures the joint.
All deck areas are reinforced with Airex foam. The keel is a lead-filled cast metal unit bolted to the hull, while the rudder is a hefty stainless steel spade made together with the rudder stock.
Inside, the bunk units are modular rather than incorporated into one large internal moulding. A half-width bulkhead fills the port-side area between the hull and the timber compression post, which carries the load from the deck-stepped mast.
Rig and Cockpit
The builders, who are also spar manufacturers, make up the rig. Stock sails are by Hood, and the cockpit sheet winches are by Barlow. Headsails are beefed up on a small winch mounted on the mast.
The cockpit has a bridgedeck, with the mainsheet traveller positioned so the helmsman can handle both the mainsheet and headsail sheets. On the test boat, the main halyard was led aft to the cockpit.
The large, deep, self-draining cockpit accommodates four or five adults. There are no cockpit lockers for stowage, however, and the boat doesn’t come with handrails on the cabin top.
Accommodation
The Hutton’s strongest point below is its size: it is about as big as many 26-footers. It has six berths, and the raised saloon table can seat six adults.
The reviewed boat had a single aft berth to port, two settee berths in the saloon, and a roomy double berth forward. Later boats were available with two quarter berths.
Standard headroom is 1.53m. Many owners ordered the optional pop-top, which increases headroom around the galley from 1.53m to 1.89m. The galley unit includes a sink and stove, and there is an enclosed WC. Rather than fitting a built-in icebox, the design leaves space beneath the companionway steps for a portable Esky.
Auxiliary Power and Planned Variants
The builders recommend an outboard of around six to eight hp for auxiliary power. An outboard bracket mounted on the transom was optional.
When Seacraft tested the Hutton 24, the builders were also planning a swing-keel version and a motor sailer model.
The Verdict
The Hutton 24 is a thoughtfully packaged small yacht that punches above its length. Its quarter-ton racing ancestry, buoyant aft-bodied hull, and high ballast ratio contribute to offshore composure and a relatively late reefing point, while the cabin offers space comparable with many 26-footers.
Construction is serious for a boat of this size. On deck, though, the narrow side decks and lack of cabin-top handrails call for careful movement.
Pros
- Capable of offshore coastal passages and good in heavy weather
- Interior volume close to that of many 26-foot designs, with six berths
- Strong hull-to-deck joint and Airex-reinforced deck areas
- Late reefing point and quick, fuss-free motion from the wide aft sections
Cons
- Narrow side decks and no cabin-top handrails
- No cockpit lockers for stowage
- No built-in icebox; space is provided for a portable Esky instead
