With a fractional-sloop rig, daggerboard keel, and light-displacement hull, the Seawind 24 is a coastal cruiser-racer conceived at the dawn of the modern trailerable-catamaran era.
Design and Construction
Jutson’s hull combines a length-to-beam ratio of 1.51 with a displacement-length ratio of 72. That figure places the Seawind 24 among the boats period reviewers called “ultra light racers.” She displaces roughly 2,000 pounds on a 24-foot-3-inch waterline, making her lighter than 62 percent of comparable sailboat designs.
The builder used solid fiberglass for the hull and deck, keeping the structure straightforward rather than exotic. The catamaran form gives the boat a capsize screening number near 5.1 and a comfort ratio around 3.3—figures better suited to sheltered-water daysailing than offshore passage work.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig carries 342 square feet of sail. Draft varies with load, from about one foot unloaded with the daggerboard raised to just over three feet when weighted down.
That shallow board-up draft is the design’s defining practical feature. It puts barefoot shoreline anchorages and trailer launches within easy reach, while lowering the board provides enough lateral grip for windward sailing. With the daggerboard engaged, the hull-speed estimate of about 6.5 knots is consistent with a light catamaran of this length.
Space and Accommodations
The Seawind 24 is roomier than 58 percent of similar sailing-catamaran designs, a meaningful advantage in a boat under 25 feet. Her 16-foot beam creates a broad platform between the hulls, so the boat offers real lounging space rather than feeling like a cramped dinghy.
The light-displacement hull also keeps the motion easy in the moderate breezes where the Seawind 24 is most at home.
Known Issues and Refit Considerations
The main known considerations are the daggerboard draft, which varies with load, and the boat’s production at more than one yard. Buyers should therefore match each hull to its specific build provenance.
The solid-fiberglass construction avoids the cored-hull moisture problems that affect some later foam-core cats, while the simple fractional rig keeps the spares requirement minimal. Because several yards built the design, refits and parts matching should begin with the individual hull’s build identity rather than a blanket assumption about the marque.
The Verdict
The Seawind 24 is a light, beamy catamaran intended 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 room than most comparable designs. Her low comfort ratio, however, signals that sheltered water is her true element.
Pros
- Shallow board-up draft provides access to shoaling anchorages and makes trailer launching practical
- Roomy for her length, with more space than 58 percent of comparable catamarans
- Simple solid-fiberglass construction and a fractional rig keep ownership undemanding
Cons
- Ultra-light displacement and a low comfort ratio suit coastal daysailing rather than passage work
- Construction details may vary by hull because several yards built the design
