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Sailboat Specifications

Snapdragon 24

Masthead Sloop · Twin Keel

Designed by Thames Structural Plastics/Thames Marine · Built by Thames Marine (Uk) · First built 1962

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LOA 24.50 ft  ·  Beam 8.00 ft  ·  Displacement 3,850.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 247.00 ft²  ·  Masthead Sloop  ·  Twin Keel
About the Snapdragon 24 Sailboat

Designed and built by Thames Marine in the UK starting in 1962, this 24-footer represents classic British coastal cruising philosophy with its distinctive twin-keel configuration. The twin-keel design allows for convenient beaching and shallow-water exploration while maintaining reasonable sailing performance, making it particularly appealing for gunkholing and tidal waters where traditional deep-draft boats would be limited. With a displacement of 3,850 pounds and 1,550 pounds of ballast, the Snapdragon 24 offers solid stability for coastal adventures. The masthead sloop rig carries 247 square feet of sail area, providing adequate power for leisurely cruising while remaining manageable for small crews. Her 8-foot beam creates surprising interior volume for weekend getaways, while the fiberglass construction ensures durability with minimal maintenance requirements. The comfort ratio of 17.18 indicates this boat prioritizes seakindly motion over outright speed, typical of cruising-oriented designs from this era. Her capsize screening formula of 2.04 suggests she's best suited for protected waters and coastal sailing rather than offshore passages. Hull speed calculations show she'll cruise comfortably at moderate speeds, making her ideal for relaxed day sailing and short coastal hops rather than spirited performance sailing.

Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Displacement 3,850.00 lb / 1,746 kg
Ballast 1,550.00 lb / 703 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 247.00 ft² / 22.95 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Twin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Thames Structural Plastics/Thames Marine
Builder Thames Marine (UK)
First Built 1962
Associations Snapdragon; Mirage and Invaders Association
Related Sailboats Balaton 24 · Nutmeg 24 · East Wind 24 · Leisure 24 · Merit 25
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Snapdragon 24's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Snapdragon 24 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.13. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Snapdragon 24's comfort ratio?

The Snapdragon 24 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 17.18. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Snapdragon 24 safe for offshore sailing?

The Snapdragon 24 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.04. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Snapdragon 24?

The theoretical hull speed of the Snapdragon 24 is 6.07 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Snapdragon 24 weigh?

The Snapdragon 24 has a displacement of 3,850.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 24.50 ft.

Who designed the Snapdragon 24?

The Snapdragon 24 was designed by Thames Structural Plastics/Thames Marine, first built in 1962.