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Windward 21 Macgregor
Designer: Roger Macgregor  ·  Builder: Windward Yacht (Usa)  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Windward 21 Macgregor

Designed by Roger Macgregor in the mid-1960s, this compact cutter represents an interesting chapter in small boat design from the era when trailerable sailboats were gaining popularity. Built by Windward Yacht from 1966 to 1969, the design showcases several practical features that made it appealing to sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising. The swing keel configuration allows for shallow water exploration and easy trailering, while the cutter rig provides excellent sail handling options and weather helm control. At 1,200 pounds displacement with 400 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass boat strikes a reasonable balance between portability and stability for its size class. With a comfort ratio of 7.45, the boat leans toward the sportier side of the spectrum, making it well-suited for day sailing and weekend coastal cruising rather than extended offshore passages. The 175 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for typical conditions, while the hull speed of 5.76 knots offers respectable performance for a boat of this length. The design works best for sailors interested in coastal exploration, club racing, or learning cruising fundamentals in protected waters. Its compact size and swing keel make it particularly appealing for those with limited marina access or storage constraints.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
Beam 6.83 ft / 2.08 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Min Draft 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
Displacement 1,200.00 lb / 544 kg
Ballast 400.00 lb / 181 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 175.00 ft² / 16.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Roger MacGregor
Builder Windward Yacht (USA)
First Built 1966
Last Built 1969
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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
24.84
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
33.33
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
84.61
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
7.45
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
2.57
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. 5.76 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. 451.48 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Macgregor 21, South Coast 21, Victory 21

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
21.0 ft
Macgregor 21
21.0 ft
South Coast 21
21.0 ft
Victory 21
21.0 ft
LWL
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
18.5 ft
Macgregor 21
18.5 ft
South Coast 21
14.3 ft
Victory 21
15.0 ft
Beam
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
6.8 ft
Macgregor 21
6.8 ft
South Coast 21
6.9 ft
Victory 21
6.3 ft
Displacement
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
1 lbs
Macgregor 21
1 lbs
South Coast 21
2 lbs
Victory 21
1 lbs
Ballast
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
400 lbs
Macgregor 21
400 lbs
South Coast 21
625 lbs
Victory 21
500 lbs
Sail Area
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
175 sq ft
Macgregor 21
South Coast 21
206 sq ft
Victory 21
185 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
Macgregor 21
263 s/nm
South Coast 21
258 s/nm
Victory 21
276 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
24.8
Macgregor 21
South Coast 21
20.8
Victory 21
24.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
33.3 %
Macgregor 21
34.0 %
South Coast 21
31.3 %
Victory 21
37.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
7.5
Macgregor 21
South Coast 21
14.4
Victory 21
10.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
2.57
Macgregor 21
South Coast 21
2.20
Victory 21
2.26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
84
Macgregor 21
82
South Coast 21
303
Victory 21
178
Hull Speed
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
5.8 kts
Macgregor 21
South Coast 21
5.1 kts
Victory 21
5.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Windward 21 Macgregor ★
Macgregor 21
South Coast 21
2.0
Victory 21
3.9
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