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Luders 21
Designer: A. E. Luders  ·  Builder: Ron Rawson Inc./ American Plastics Inc.  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Luders 21

Built during the early years of A.E. Luders Jr.'s influential design career, this compact 21-footer represents the classic American approach to small boat construction from the mid-20th century. The Luders name carries significant weight in sailing circles, with the designer responsible for numerous successful racing yachts and the renowned 12-meter defenders of the America's Cup. Despite limited available specifications, the Luders 21 bears the hallmarks of thoughtful naval architecture that characterized the builder's work. These boats were typically designed with versatility in mind, offering capable performance for both recreational sailing and competitive racing in protected waters. The design likely features traditional construction methods and proportions that prioritize seaworthiness and handling characteristics over pure speed. Well-suited for coastal cruising, club racing, and sail training applications, the Luders 21 would appeal to sailors seeking a boat with proven pedigree and time-tested design principles. The Luders reputation for creating boats that sail well in various conditions suggests this model offers reliable performance and good manners under sail, making it an interesting option for sailors who appreciate classic design heritage combined with practical sailing capabilities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.25 ft / 6.48 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
Beam 5.58 ft / 1.70 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 1,500.00 lb / 680 kg
Ballast 435.00 lb / 197 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 139.00 ft² / 12.91 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel w/bulb
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG hull, Wood Deck
Designer A. E. Luders
Builder Ron Rawson Inc./ American Plastics Inc.
First Built 1967
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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
17.01
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
13.34
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
1.95
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. 5.36
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
3.16
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. 319.01
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 5.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 21.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.25
SA Fore 49.5
SA Main 88.69
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