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Ultimate 24
Designer: Jim Antrim  ·  Builder: Ultimate Sailboats (Usa)  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Ultimate 24

Designed as a compact and spirited performer, the Ultimate 24 is a small keelboat that has attracted attention among sailors looking for an accessible yet exciting sailing experience. Built with performance in mind, this vessel is well suited to inshore and coastal sailing, offering a lively ride that appeals to both club racers and recreational day sailors eager for responsive handling. While detailed specifications are limited, the Ultimate 24 carries the hallmarks of a design intended to maximize fun and agility in a manageable package. Its modest size makes it practical for single-handed or short-handed sailing, and its approachable scale means lower ownership and maintenance costs compared to larger performance boats. These qualities make it an appealing entry point for sailors looking to sharpen their skills or simply enjoy fast-paced time on the water without the complexity of a larger vessel. For those researching budget-conscious performance sailing or seeking a boat that can hold its own in club racing while remaining easy to handle, the Ultimate 24 deserves a closer look as a capable and enjoyable option.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.38 ft / 7.43 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.17 ft / 6.45 m
Beam 8.48 ft / 2.58 m
Max Draft 5.52 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 2,040.00 lb / 925 kg
Ballast 750.00 lb / 340 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jim Antrim
Builder Ultimate Sailboats (USA)
First Built 1995
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
107
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
36.76
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
95.99
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. 3.85 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 2.94 ft / 0.90 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 355.00 ft² / 32.98 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 95.99
How It Compares

vs. Brenta 24, Farr 740 Sport, Freedom 24 Tripp, Seaward 23, Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ultimate 24 ★
24.4 ft
Brenta 24
24.6 ft
Farr 740 Sport
24.3 ft
Freedom 24 Tripp
24.4 ft
Seaward 23
24.5 ft
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
24.5 ft
LWL
Ultimate 24 ★
21.2 ft
Brenta 24
24.6 ft
Farr 740 Sport
21.8 ft
Freedom 24 Tripp
21.5 ft
Seaward 23
21.0 ft
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
22.2 ft
Beam
Ultimate 24 ★
8.5 ft
Brenta 24
7.8 ft
Farr 740 Sport
8.2 ft
Freedom 24 Tripp
8.3 ft
Seaward 23
8.3 ft
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
9.7 ft
Displacement
Ultimate 24 ★
2 lbs
Brenta 24
2 lbs
Farr 740 Sport
3 lbs
Freedom 24 Tripp
3 lbs
Seaward 23
2 lbs
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
5 lbs
Ballast
Ultimate 24 ★
750 lbs
Brenta 24
904 lbs
Farr 740 Sport
827 lbs
Freedom 24 Tripp
1 lbs
Seaward 23
900 lbs
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
1 lbs
Sail Area
Ultimate 24 ★
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
257 sq ft
Freedom 24 Tripp
303 sq ft
Seaward 23
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
292 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Ultimate 24 ★
107 s/nm
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
165 s/nm
Freedom 24 Tripp
228 s/nm
Seaward 23
273 s/nm
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ultimate 24 ★
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
19.8
Freedom 24 Tripp
22.2
Seaward 23
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
14.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Ultimate 24 ★
36.8 %
Brenta 24
37.3 %
Farr 740 Sport
27.6 %
Freedom 24 Tripp
41.5 %
Seaward 23
33.3 %
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
34.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ultimate 24 ★
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
12.6
Freedom 24 Tripp
13.5
Seaward 23
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
18.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ultimate 24 ★
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
2.27
Freedom 24 Tripp
2.23
Seaward 23
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
2.16
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Ultimate 24 ★
95
Brenta 24
72
Farr 740 Sport
130
Freedom 24 Tripp
145
Seaward 23
130
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
234
Hull Speed
Ultimate 24 ★
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
6.3 kts
Freedom 24 Tripp
6.2 kts
Seaward 23
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
6.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Ultimate 24 ★
Brenta 24
Farr 740 Sport
4.2
Freedom 24 Tripp
Seaward 23
Sun Fast 26 Jeanneau
2.1
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