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Cal 24
Designer: Bill Lapworth  ·  Builder: Jensen Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1958
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About the Cal 24

Bill Lapworth's Cal 24 represents a significant milestone in American sailboat design, introducing many recreational sailors to modern fiberglass construction when Jensen Marine launched production in 1958. This fractional sloop became one of the early success stories of the California boat building boom, with 184 hulls completed during its seven-year production run through 1965. The design strikes an appealing balance between performance and practicality, featuring Lapworth's characteristic clean lines and efficient sail plan. With 261 square feet of working sail and a SA/Displacement ratio of 20.13, the Cal 24 offers spirited performance for coastal sailing and weekend cruising. The moderate displacement of 3,000 pounds, supported by 1,000 pounds of ballast, provides stability while maintaining reasonable trailering weight. The boat's 4.50-foot draft and keel/centerboard configuration make it versatile for exploring shallow waters while maintaining good upwind performance. A comfort ratio of 13.6 suggests this is primarily a daysailer and coastal cruiser rather than an offshore passage maker. The hull speed of 6 knots and capsize screening value of 2.22 confirm its suitability for protected waters and near-coastal sailing, making it an excellent choice for sailors seeking classic aesthetics with manageable size.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.39 ft / 7.43 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.05 ft / 6.11 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Min Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Displacement 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Ballast 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Ballast Type Lead w/ steel cb
Sail Area (Reported) 261.00 ft² / 24.25 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bill Lapworth
Builder Jensen Marine (USA)
First Built 1958
Last Built 1965
Number Built 184
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 237
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
 20.13
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
 33.33
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
 166.16
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
 13.6
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
 2.22
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. 6.00 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
 3.54
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. 573.13 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. 20.11
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 25.50 ft / 7.77 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.50 ft / 8.08 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore 108.38 ft² / 10.07 m²
SA Main 152.38 ft² / 14.16 m²
SA Total (100%) 260.76 ft² / 24.23 m²
Est. Forestay Length 26.88 ft / 8.19 m
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