Designed by Charles Hodgdon in 1938, this classic 21-footer represents the golden age of American small boat design when craftsmanship and sailing performance were paramount. Built by Hodgdon Brothers using traditional wood construction methods including cold molding and fiberglass reinforcement, the Great Lakes 21 embodies the quality construction standards that made the Maine-based yard legendary among discerning sailors. The fractional sloop rig and fin keel configuration deliver responsive handling characteristics that make this boat particularly well-suited for coastal sailing, day sailing, and yacht club racing. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 21.67, she offers spirited performance in moderate conditions while maintaining the stability and seaworthiness expected from a Hodgdon design. The comfortable 14.13 comfort ratio suggests reasonable motion at sea for weekend coastal cruising. At 21 feet overall with an 18.33-foot waterline, she strikes an ideal balance between trailerable convenience and sailing capability. The 1,800-pound displacement provides enough heft for stability without sacrificing responsiveness. Her 5.74-knot hull speed allows for satisfying progress under sail, while the low 1.89 capsize screening value indicates good stability characteristics. This design appeals to sailors seeking a high-quality, traditionally-built boat for spirited daysailing and light coastal cruising.
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What is the Great Lakes 21's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Great Lakes 21 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 21.67. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Great Lakes 21's comfort ratio?
The Great Lakes 21 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 14.13. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Great Lakes 21 safe for offshore sailing?
The Great Lakes 21 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.89. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Great Lakes 21?
The theoretical hull speed of the Great Lakes 21 is 5.74 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Great Lakes 21 weigh?
The Great Lakes 21 has a displacement of 1,800.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 21.00 ft.
Who designed the Great Lakes 21?
The Great Lakes 21 was designed by Charles Hodgdon, first built in 1938.