Paceship Westwind 24 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Westwind 24 are heavily influenced by Ted Hood’s background in offshore racing and sail design. Because it utilizes a keel-centerboard configuration, the boat offers a unique balance of stability and versatility. With the board up, the draft is a mere 2’ 1”, allowing the boat to be easily trailered or kept in shallow-water slips. With the board down, the draft increases to 5’ 6”, significantly improving upwind tracking and reducing leeway.

Technically, the Westwind 24 is a "stiff" boat. It carries a ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 45%, with approximately 2,100 pounds of lead ballast housed within its 4,600-pound total displacement. This high percentage of weight concentrated low in the hull, combined with its nearly 8-foot beam, ensures that the boat remains upright and composed in a blow. According to technical archives on the Paceship Owners Site, the hull's displacement-to-length (D/L) ratio sits in the "heavy" category (roughly 340), meaning it does not plane but rather "plows" through chop with a steady, momentum-driven motion. While it may struggle in very light air due to its wetted surface area, it excels in moderate-to-heavy conditions where lighter boats of the same length would become skittish.

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a 24-foot vessel designed in the 1960s, the Westwind 24 maximizes its internal volume, though it reflects the ergonomic constraints of its era. The cabin provides a traditional layout with a V-berth forward, a compact head (typically a marine chemical or pump-out toilet) located between the V-berth and the main bulkhead, and two longitudinal settees in the main salon. The headroom is approximately 5’ 2”, which necessitates a "hunched" posture for most adults but provides more vertical space than many competing 24-footers of the time.

The interior finishes typically featured molded fiberglass liners accented with teak trim, a hallmark of Paceship’s transition into high-volume production. While the Westwind 24 did not have major layout variants like its larger siblings, it shared many design cues with its "big brother," the Paceship Northwind 29, which was also a Ted Hood design. Another sibling, the Paceship 23 (designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian), offered a similar footprint but featured a fixed keel and a more performance-oriented hull, providing a sharper contrast to the Westwind’s cruising focus.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Westwind 24 should approach the vessel with an understanding of its vintage construction methods.

1. Centerboard Assembly: The most critical inspection point is the centerboard trunk, the pivot pin, and the lifting cable. Over decades, the pin can wear through the fiberglass housing or become seized, and the cable is prone to corrosion. If the board "clanks" while at anchor, the bushings likely need replacement.
2. Deck Delamination: Like many boats of this era, Paceship used a balsa or plywood core for the decks. Owners frequently report soft spots around the chainplates, stanchion bases, and the mast step. A thorough moisture meter test or "percussion" tap test is essential.
3. Chainplate Leaks: The stainless steel chainplates pass through the deck to the bulkheads. If the caulking has failed, water often migrates into the plywood bulkheads, leading to rot that can compromise the structural integrity of the rig.
4. Gelcoat Crazing: While purely aesthetic in many cases, these "spider cracks" are common on the cockpit seats and cabin tops of older Paceships. They usually indicate the natural brittle aging of the original thick gelcoat rather than structural failure.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data and historical preservation is the Paceship Owners Site, which serves as a repository for original brochures, line drawings, and sail plans. This community-driven resource is the most authoritative source for owners seeking to restore their vessels to original specifications. Additionally, the Great Lakes and Maritime Canada regions host various informal Paceship "rendezvous," where Westwind and Northwind owners gather to share maintenance tips.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Superior Stability: The high ballast ratio makes it one of the safest-feeling boats in its size class.
• Shoal Draft: The centerboard design allows for "gunkholing" in areas inaccessible to fixed-keel boats.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Classic lines and a Ted Hood pedigree give the boat a timeless, traditional appearance.
• Lead Ballast: Unlike many competitors that used iron, the Westwind’s lead ballast is encapsulated and corrosion-resistant.

Cons:

• Limited Headroom: At 5’ 2”, the cabin is cramped for extended stays or for tall sailors.
• Heavy Performance: The boat is relatively slow in light winds and lacks the "zip" of modern sports boats.
• Maintenance Intensity: The mechanical complexity of the centerboard adds a layer of maintenance not found on fixed-keel models.