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Tylercraft 21
Designer: Ted Tyler  ·  Builder: Tylercraft Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1959
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About the Tylercraft 21

Designed by Ted Tyler and first launched in 1959, this compact 21-footer represents classic American small boat design from the early fiberglass era. Built by Tylercraft Inc., this masthead sloop features distinctive twin keels that provide excellent stability while allowing access to shallow waters and convenient beach launching or trailering. The boat's generous beam of 7 feet creates surprising interior space for its length, while the moderate displacement of 3,000 pounds strikes a good balance between seaworthiness and performance. With 216 square feet of sail area, the Tylercraft 21 offers spirited sailing in light to moderate conditions, making it well-suited for coastal cruising, day sailing, and weekend adventures. The twin keel configuration is particularly noteworthy, as it eliminates the need for a centerboard while providing positive directional stability. This design choice makes the boat ideal for sailors who frequent shallow bays, tidal waters, or areas where traditional deep-draft vessels would be limited. The fiberglass construction ensures durability and low maintenance, while the comfortable cockpit and modest cabin provide adequate shelter for short cruises. Overall, this design appeals to sailors seeking a manageable, shoal-draft cruiser that combines classic styling with practical coastal sailing capabilities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Max Draft 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
Displacement 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 216.00 ft² / 20.07 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Twin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Tyler
Builder Tylercraft Inc. (USA)
First Built 1959
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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
16.66
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
167.41
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
17.09
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
1.94
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. 5.99 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. 500.24 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Aurora 21, Debutante 21, Victory 21

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tylercraft 21 ★
21.0 ft
Aurora 21
21.0 ft
Debutante 21
21.0 ft
Victory 21
21.0 ft
LWL
Tylercraft 21 ★
20.0 ft
Aurora 21
15.5 ft
Debutante 21
16.0 ft
Victory 21
15.0 ft
Beam
Tylercraft 21 ★
7.0 ft
Aurora 21
6.3 ft
Debutante 21
7.0 ft
Victory 21
6.3 ft
Displacement
Tylercraft 21 ★
3 lbs
Aurora 21
1 lbs
Debutante 21
2 lbs
Victory 21
1 lbs
Ballast
Tylercraft 21 ★
Aurora 21
500 lbs
Debutante 21
Victory 21
500 lbs
Sail Area
Tylercraft 21 ★
216 sq ft
Aurora 21
Debutante 21
155 sq ft
Victory 21
185 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tylercraft 21 ★
16.7
Aurora 21
Debutante 21
15.7
Victory 21
24.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tylercraft 21 ★
Aurora 21
29.4 %
Debutante 21
Victory 21
37.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tylercraft 21 ★
17.1
Aurora 21
Debutante 21
13.2
Victory 21
10.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tylercraft 21 ★
1.94
Aurora 21
Debutante 21
2.22
Victory 21
2.26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tylercraft 21 ★
167
Aurora 21
203
Debutante 21
217
Victory 21
178
Hull Speed
Tylercraft 21 ★
6.0 kts
Aurora 21
Debutante 21
5.4 kts
Victory 21
5.2 kts
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