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| © Yachtsnet Ltd. 2000/2024 |
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Yachtsnet's
archive of boat details and pictures
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The following information and photographs are
displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs
are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation.
No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being
identical. Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured
to indicate this in these archive details. |
Achilles 24 |
Brief Details |
Builder |
Butler Mouldings, Swansea |
Designed by
Oliver Lee as a cruising variant of his Ajax racing keelboat
in 1971, they are a fairly fast and very seaworthy small cruiser,
with simple accommodation for two (or four at a pinch). |
Length OA |
23' 9" |
Sail Area |
265 sq ft main and genoa |
Length WL |
19' 6" |
Rig |
Sloop |
Beam |
7' 1" |
Cabins |
1 |
.Draught |
3' 9" fin or 3' 3" triple
keel |
Berths |
2/4 |
Displacement |
2,600 lbs fin keel version |
Engine type |
usually outboard, but some had Vire petrol
inboards as an option |
Ballast |
1,314 lbs fin, 1,340 lbs total in triple keel version |
Engine bhp |
normally 4 - 8 |
Keel type |
Fin & skeg, with option of
a shallower fin keel and small bilge keels to allow drying
out |
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The Achilles 24 was designed in 1968 by Oliver Lee, and between then and 1985 about 600 were built by Butler Mouldings of Gowerton, near Swansea in Wales. As was the case with many British yacht buiolders at the time, boats were sold both as completed boats and as kits for home completion.
Two versions were built, the fin-keel, with draught of 3' 9" and the triple keel version, with six inches shallower draught but slightly higher ballast weight. Whilst the fin-keel versions are definitely faster, the triple keel versions are not that much slower, and have the major advantage of being able to dry out upright, allowing mooring on cheaper drying moorings if required.
As would be expected in a yacht derived from a racing keelboat, and with a better than 50% ballast ratio, performance is good. They are popular club racers, and in their early days achieved a remarkable record in long-distance sailing, including one being the smallest boat to complete the 1976 OSTAR singlehanded transatlantic race, fitted out from a kit in preparation for the race and sailed by Rodney Kendall. This particular boat carried on to New Zealand!
More details of the Achilles 24 and other Achilles models are at www.achillesyachts.co.uk |
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