Designed by the legendary naval architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens, this classic 24-footer represents excellent small boat design from sailing's golden era. Built by Tidewater Boats from 1962 to 1977, the Rainbow 24 achieved respectable production numbers with 500 hulls completed during its 15-year run. The boat's proportions reflect S&S's sophisticated approach to yacht design, featuring a fin keel with spade rudder configuration that was progressive for its time. With a displacement of 2,250 pounds and substantial ballast of 1,120 pounds, the Rainbow 24 offers reassuring stability for a boat this size. The masthead sloop rig carries 214 square feet of sail area, providing spirited performance while remaining manageable for small crews. At 24 feet overall with a 17.25-foot waterline, this fiberglass cruiser-racer strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort. The hull's 6.25-foot beam provides reasonable interior volume without compromising the boat's sailing characteristics. With its moderate 3.50-foot draft, the Rainbow 24 can access shallow anchorages while maintaining good windward ability. This design suits coastal cruising and club racing equally well, offering the build quality and seaworthiness expected from a Sparkman & Stephens pedigree in an accessible package.
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What is the Rainbow 24's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Rainbow 24 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 19.99. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Rainbow 24's comfort ratio?
The Rainbow 24 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 15.69. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Rainbow 24 safe for offshore sailing?
The Rainbow 24 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.91. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Rainbow 24?
The theoretical hull speed of the Rainbow 24 is 5.57 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Rainbow 24 weigh?
The Rainbow 24 has a displacement of 2,250.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 24.00 ft.
Who designed the Rainbow 24?
The Rainbow 24 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens, first built in 1962.