Design and Construction
Jutson's hull pairs a length-to-beam ratio of 1.51 with a displacement-length ratio of 72, a figure that places the Seawind 24 among what period reviewers termed "ultra light racers." At roughly 2,000 pounds displacement on a 24-foot-3-inch waterline, she is lighter than 62 percent of comparable sailboat designs, and the builder's solid fiberglass hull and deck keep the structure straightforward rather than exotic. The catamaran form itself gives her a capsize screening number near 5.1 and a comfort ratio around 3.3 — figures that suit sheltered-water daysailing more than offshore passage work.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig drives a 342-square-foot sail plan, and the daggerboard keel lets the boat sail close to the beach with a draft that runs from about one foot unloaded to just over three feet when weighted down. That board-up shallow draft is the defining practical trait of the design: a barefoot shoreline anchorage or a trailer launch is within easy reach, while the board dropped gives enough lateral grip for windward work. Her hull-speed estimate of about 6.5 knots is consistent with a light catamaran of this length once the daggerboard is engaged.
Accommodations
Among similar sailing catamarans the Seawind 24 is roomier than 58 percent of all other designs, a meaningful spread for a boat under 25 feet. The 16-foot beam yields a broad platform between the hulls, and the light-displacement hull keeps the motion easy in the moderate breezes where she is most at home. The combination of beam and low weight is what lets a small catamaran feel like a dayboat with real lounging space rather than a cramped dinghy.
Known Issues
The known facts center on the daggerboard draft varying with load and the boat having been produced at more than one yard, which a buyer should keep in mind when matching a specific hull to its build provenance.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership of a Seawind 24 is shaped by the shallow-draft daggerboard and the trailerable catamaran footprint. The solid fiberglass construction avoids the cored-hull moisture problems that plague some later foam-core cats, and the simple fractional rig keeps spares minimal. Because the design was built at several yards, any refit or parts matching should begin with the specific hull's build identity rather than a blanket assumption about the marque.
The Verdict
The Seawind 24 is a light, beamy little catamaran built for easy trailering and beach-friendly cruising rather than offshore ambition. Jutson's ultra-light hull and the load-dependent daggerboard draft make her a forgiving dayboat with more interior room than most of her peers, though the low comfort ratio signals her true element is sheltered water.
Pros
- Shallow board-up draft lets her explore shoaling anchorages and launch from a trailer
- Roomy for her length, outspacing 58 percent of comparable catamarans
- Simple solid-fiberglass construction and fractional rig keep ownership undemanding
Cons
- Ultra-light displacement and low comfort ratio suit her to coastal daysailing, not passage work
- Built at multiple yards, so build-specific details vary by hull
