Dana 24

[Sailor George]

Hi, I’m a 75 year old sailor looking at a 1989 Dana 24, listed for 49K. Plan to sail it on the Peconic Bay, NY alone and with my wife. Just looking for a day / weekend boat, but who knows. Have years experience sailing 36 ft + sailboats. I have only seen the boat on the internet and hope you can give me some idea if it’s ok for my sailing plans. Boat looks well built and maintained. My fly out to see it after I get my vaccine shot. Thanks for your advice

[Heathenly Twins]

There's a channel on YouTube called Keeldragger and the guy who posts videos on it used to have a Dana 24. You can watch hours of sailing on it to get an idea if you would like a Dana. I thought about getting a Dana 24 but after talking to the aforementioned decided against it. He said "it's not an upwind boat" which pretty much kills it for me. If you don't mind motoring more to get upwind, however, this might be a non-issue.

They certainly seem sturdy.

[Sailor George]

Thanks I will check it out.

[Pandor]

I wasn’t going to reply at first because I have absolutely no experience with the boat. But I was so surprised at the asking price for a 24 foot 30 year old boat that it made me flinch. Is there something really great about this particular boat? If you don’t mind a 30+ year boat, there are some better opportunities for value per $ available.

I also saw one of these listed for half of this asking. Again, since I don’t know the boat, I can’t say whether or not the price is reasonable.

[KayZee]

It think it's very overbuilt and under performing design for daysailing and weekending. Is there a reason you're not considering a slightly more modern and longer cruiser racer? Sabre, Older tartan etc?

[Adelie]

It’s overbuilt but has enough sail area so it isn’t a dog in light winds.

Full keel so the steering will be easy.

It looks like a lower effort boat that will perform adequately in light air and very well in heavy weather. Sounds good for older sailors.

I’d get a drifter for light air, almost as good as a CodeZero but much cheaper.

[Pandor]

Originally Posted by Adelie

It’s overbuilt but has enough sail area so it isn’t a dog in light winds.

Full keel so the steering will be easy.

It looks like a lower effort boat that will perform adequately in light air and very well in heavy weather. Sounds good for older sailors.

I’d get a drifter for light air, almost as good as a CodeZero but much cheaper.

But who needs a full-keeled heavy weather boat in the 24-foot range when the owner plans to use it for day sailing and weekenders? I also bet with that keel it is tough to maneuver around the docks.

[Adelie]

Dana 24 rate 240 New England PHRF.
CAL 25 -231
Catalina 25 -234
C&C 24 -231
Contessa 26-252
Folkboat 26-288
Hunter 240-255

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Pandor

But who needs a full-keeled heavy weather boat in the 24-foot range when the owner plans to use it for day sailing and weekenders? I also bet with that keel it is tough to maneuver around the docks.

The OP has years of sailing experience so the maneuvering should only be a relatively minor issue.

What they get is a tough, seakindly boat that still goes OK in light winds and is lower effort. It’s set up nicely for a couple and there might be standing headroom for 6’. There are any number of faster, high effort boats meth mediocre accommodations that are also available.

And they get a boat that is already depreciated. They won’t make money on it but they probably won’t lose much either.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Dana 24 rate 240 New England PHRF.
CAL 25 -231
Catalina 25 -234
C&C 24 -231
Contessa 26-252
Folkboat 26-288
Hunter 240-255

Hah, by the phrf numbers it’s faster than our 32’ boat! Phrf 273 non spin, 263 spin for an allied seawind II.

[Don C L]

I used to have a 24' boat and I have seen Danas but I haven't sailed one. For the life of me I don't know how a price of $49k can be justified.

[Adelie]

Flickas used to go for $40k.

Don't consider it on a price for length basis, consider it on a price per pound basis comparing to similar boats:
Pacific Seacraft 34 12,000lb is selling for $75-121k: $6.25-10/lb
Orion 27, 10,000 is selling for $36-60K: $3.6-6/lb

$49k is on the high end, but PS has a good reputation that stretches back to the 1970s, that's why their boats hold value.

[weshallseeII]

I have owned my Dana for close to 20 years, a lot of the time I have day sailed her on a lake, as well as taking her from Texas via the Keys, Bahamas and Bermuda to my original home town of Plymouth England.

The boat is a joy to singlehand, mine is cutter rigged and in lighter wind with all the canvas up she performs well. Also have an asymmetrical kite for downwind.

The quality of construction is great and the layout below makes her feel a lot bigger than 24ft.

Currently she is back at Pacific Seacraft for a refit, her future home will be on the east coast of Florida, with the Keys, Bahamas and Caribbean as her cruising grounds for the next few years.

I personally think she would be good fit for you if you appreciate quality.

[Lowcountry]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Flickas used to go for $40k.

Don't consider it on a price for length basis, consider it on a price per pound basis comparing to similar boats:
Pacific Seacraft 34 12,000lb is selling for $75-121k: $6.25-10/lb
Orion 27, 10,000 is selling for $36-60K: $3.6-6/lb

$49k is on the high end, but PS has a good reputation that stretches back to the 1970s, that's why their boats hold value.

Reminds me of the saying "Racing boats are priced by the foot, cruising boats are priced by the pound."

The Dana is a great little boat.

[Rockinar]

Theres one on the dock by me. Looks like a great little boat. Its pretty small though, but looks like it would be stupid easy to sail with all controls pretty much within arms reach while sitting down.