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Achilles 24
Designer: Oliver Lee /Chris Butler  ·  Builder: Butler Moldings Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Achilles 24

Designed by the collaborative team of Oliver Lee and Chris Butler, this compact British cruiser emerged from Butler Moldings Ltd. during the height of the fiberglass revolution in 1968. Over its 17-year production run through 1985, approximately 600 hulls found their way to sailors seeking an affordable entry into coastal cruising. The Achilles 24 showcases classic proportions with a fin keel and rudder-on-skeg configuration that provides reliable directional stability. At 23.75 feet overall with a 7.09-foot beam, she offers surprising interior volume while maintaining manageable size for trailer transport. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio of over 50 percent, combined with a comfort ratio of 14.23, indicates a boat that prioritizes stability over speed—ideal for new cruisers or those seeking a forgiving platform. Her masthead sloop rig with 210 square feet of working sail area keeps things simple and efficient for short-handed sailing. The moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio suggests good light-air performance without being overpowered in fresher conditions. While the capsize screening formula of 2.06 places her at the upper limit for offshore work, she excels in protected waters, coastal day sailing, and weekend cruising where her seakindly motion and straightforward systems shine.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.75 ft / 7.24 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
Beam 7.09 ft / 2.16 m
Max Draft 3.75 ft / 1.14 m
Displacement 2,600.00 lb / 1,179 kg
Ballast 1,314.00 lb / 596 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 210.00 ft² / 19.51 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Oliver Lee /Chris Butler
Builder Butler Moldings Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1985
Number Built 600
Associations Achilles Yachts Owners Assoc.
Related Sailboats Catalina 22 · Ranger 23 · Mirage 24 · Kendal 23 Westerly · S2 73
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
17.81
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
50.54
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
156.54
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
14.23
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.06
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.92 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
3.39
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 494.00 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 17.81
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 25.75 ft / 7.85 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.67 ft / 2.34 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 22.25 ft / 6.78 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore 98.75 ft² / 9.17 m²
SA Main 111.25 ft² / 10.34 m²
SA Total (100%) 210.00 ft² / 19.51 m²
Est. Forestay Length 26.87 ft / 8.19 m
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 22, Kendal 23 Westerly, Mirage 24, Ranger 23, S2 73

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Achilles 24 ★
23.8 ft
Catalina 22
23.8 ft
Kendal 23 Westerly
23.7 ft
Mirage 24
23.8 ft
Ranger 23
23.7 ft
S2 73
23.8 ft
LWL
Achilles 24 ★
19.5 ft
Catalina 22
19.3 ft
Kendal 23 Westerly
19.0 ft
Mirage 24
20.1 ft
Ranger 23
20.0 ft
S2 73
18.5 ft
Beam
Achilles 24 ★
7.1 ft
Catalina 22
7.7 ft
Kendal 23 Westerly
8.0 ft
Mirage 24
8.4 ft
Ranger 23
7.9 ft
S2 73
8.0 ft
Displacement
Achilles 24 ★
2 lbs
Catalina 22
2 lbs
Kendal 23 Westerly
4 lbs
Mirage 24
3 lbs
Ranger 23
3 lbs
S2 73
3 lbs
Ballast
Achilles 24 ★
1 lbs
Catalina 22
550 lbs
Kendal 23 Westerly
Mirage 24
1 lbs
Ranger 23
1 lbs
S2 73
1 lbs
Sail Area
Achilles 24 ★
210 sq ft
Catalina 22
212 sq ft
Kendal 23 Westerly
235 sq ft
Mirage 24
Ranger 23
244 sq ft
S2 73
255 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Achilles 24 ★
Catalina 22
276 s/nm
Kendal 23 Westerly
Mirage 24
228 s/nm
Ranger 23
222 s/nm
S2 73
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Achilles 24 ★
17.8
Catalina 22
19.8
Kendal 23 Westerly
14.7
Mirage 24
Ranger 23
17.3
S2 73
18.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Achilles 24 ★
50.5 %
Catalina 22
24.4 %
Kendal 23 Westerly
Mirage 24
40.5 %
Ranger 23
S2 73
40.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Achilles 24 ★
14.2
Catalina 22
11.1
Kendal 23 Westerly
19.5
Mirage 24
Ranger 23
15.8
S2 73
15.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Achilles 24 ★
2.06
Catalina 22
2.34
Kendal 23 Westerly
2.00
Mirage 24
Ranger 23
2.11
S2 73
2.16
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Achilles 24 ★
156
Catalina 22
139
Kendal 23 Westerly
Mirage 24
204
Ranger 23
S2 73
229
Hull Speed
Achilles 24 ★
5.9 kts
Catalina 22
5.9 kts
Kendal 23 Westerly
5.8 kts
Mirage 24
Ranger 23
6.0 kts
S2 73
5.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Achilles 24 ★
3.4
Catalina 22
3.9
Kendal 23 Westerly
Mirage 24
Ranger 23
2.9
S2 73
2.6
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