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Nimble 24
Designer: Ted Brewer  ·  Builder: Nimble Boats  ·  First built: 1988
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About the Nimble 24

A compact coastal cruiser with a devoted following, the Nimble 24 is part of the well-regarded Nimble line of sailboats that earned a reputation for quality construction and seaworthy design. Built with an emphasis on practical cruising rather than racing performance, the Nimble 24 appeals to sailors looking for a manageable, capable vessel suited to day sailing and weekend coastal adventures. The Nimble brand, produced by Nimble Boats, became known for its thoughtful layouts and sturdy build quality, making their designs popular among solo sailors and couples who valued reliability over speed. The 24-foot range sits comfortably as an entry point into bluewater-capable small cruising, offering enough interior space for overnight passages without overwhelming a single-handed sailor at the helm. For those researching a first cruiser or a downsized coastal companion, the Nimble 24 is worth serious consideration. Its reputation for seakindly behavior and manageable sail plan make it forgiving in varied conditions. Prospective buyers would be well advised to seek out owner forums and survey any example carefully, as the used market can vary considerably in terms of maintenance history and outfitting.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.42 ft / 8.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.17 ft / 7.37 m
Beam 8.25 ft / 2.51 m
Max Draft 4.17 ft / 1.27 m
Min Draft 1.33 ft / 0.41 m
Displacement 2,600.00 lb / 1,179 kg
Ballast 900.00 lb / 408 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 252.00 ft² / 23.41 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Ted Brewer
Builder Nimble Boats
First Built 1988
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
21.38
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
9.5
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
2.4
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. 6.59
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. 712.49
How It Compares

vs. Oday 28, Pearson 28 2, Tartan 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nimble 24 ★
28.4 ft
Oday 28
28.3 ft
Pearson 28 2
28.5 ft
Tartan 28
28.3 ft
LWL
Nimble 24 ★
24.2 ft
Oday 28
22.9 ft
Pearson 28 2
24.4 ft
Tartan 28
23.3 ft
Beam
Nimble 24 ★
8.3 ft
Oday 28
10.3 ft
Pearson 28 2
9.8 ft
Tartan 28
9.9 ft
Displacement
Nimble 24 ★
2 lbs
Oday 28
7 lbs
Pearson 28 2
7 lbs
Tartan 28
7 lbs
Ballast
Nimble 24 ★
900 lbs
Oday 28
2 lbs
Pearson 28 2
2 lbs
Tartan 28
3 lbs
Sail Area
Nimble 24 ★
252 sq ft
Oday 28
370 sq ft
Pearson 28 2
384 sq ft
Tartan 28
408 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nimble 24 ★
Oday 28
203 s/nm
Pearson 28 2
192 s/nm
Tartan 28
177 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nimble 24 ★
21.4
Oday 28
15.8
Pearson 28 2
16.8
Tartan 28
17.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nimble 24 ★
Oday 28
Pearson 28 2
36.4 %
Tartan 28
43.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nimble 24 ★
9.5
Oday 28
20.7
Pearson 28 2
20.1
Tartan 28
22.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nimble 24 ★
2.40
Oday 28
2.12
Pearson 28 2
2.06
Tartan 28
2.03
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nimble 24 ★
Oday 28
Pearson 28 2
215
Tartan 28
264
Hull Speed
Nimble 24 ★
6.6 kts
Oday 28
6.4 kts
Pearson 28 2
6.6 kts
Tartan 28
6.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nimble 24 ★
Oday 28
1.9
Pearson 28 2
2.5
Tartan 28
2.1
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