Back to Search
Terrapin 24
Designer: Dave Westphal  ·  Builder: Friendship Manufacturing Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
+ Add to Compare
About the Terrapin 24

Designed by Dave Westphal in the early 1970s, this compact cruiser represents an interesting chapter in American small boat manufacturing. Built by Friendship Manufacturing Co. from 1973 to 1980, only 60 examples of this fiberglass sloop ever left the factory, making it a relatively rare find on today's used boat market. The Terrapin 24's most distinctive feature is its swing keel configuration, which allows the 5-foot draft to be reduced significantly for shallow water exploration or trailering. This versatility opens up cruising grounds that would be inaccessible to fixed-keel boats of similar size. The fractional sloop rig provides good sail handling characteristics, while the modest sail area suggests this design prioritizes comfort and stability over racing performance. With a displacement of 2,050 pounds and an 8-foot beam, the Terrapin 24 offers reasonable stability for coastal cruising and protected waters sailing. The low comfort ratio of 9.27 indicates a relatively light, quick-motion boat that would be better suited for day sailing and weekend cruising rather than extended offshore passages. The swing keel design makes this an appealing choice for sailors seeking a pocket cruiser capable of exploring shallow bays, rivers, and coastal areas where traditional deep-draft boats cannot venture.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.08 ft / 6.12 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 0.75 ft / 0.23 m
Displacement 2,050.00 lb / 930 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 216.00 ft² / 20.07 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Dave Westphal
Builder Friendship Manufacturing Co. (USA)
First Built 1973
Last Built 1980
Number Built 60
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 21.47
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
 113.04
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
 9.27
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
 2.52
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
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. 573.98 pounds/inch
Find a Terrapin 24 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace