Seascape is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The company started production with an 18-footer in 2008 and built 350 of them. In 2012 it introduced its 27-foot Seascape model and now have 75 of them sailing with seven boats in the U.S. fleet. The newest model is the Seascape 24 and one  has been sold in the United States and 20 in Europe. The design work is a collaboration between Manuard Yacht Design, Gigodesign and the team at Seascape. 

The new 24 is based upon the work done with the 18- and 27-foot Seascapes. Initial stability is high with a very broad stern and a chine. The L/B is 2.94 and the D/L is 63.36. As far as I can tell the LOA is the DWL as it doesn’t look like there are any overhangs on this boat. It is 100% sailing length. The design uses twin rudders for good control when pressed hard. The keel is a swing type with a GRP composite fin with integral lead bulb. The key is that the keel, when retracted, is fully captured within the hull. This makes the 24 ideal for beaching and trailering. The draft with keel down is 6 feet 3 inches and with its keel up it’s only a foot.

 

The 24 is promoted as a performance cruiser, but I think that’s a bit of a stretch. You can sleep four people below on long berths but the settee berths are quite narrow. There is a small table you can set up for eating below. There is also a removable bulkhead that separates the settees from the V-berth area. I see nothing indicating a head location. The keel trunk does intrude into the interior leaving very little open cabin sole.

This boat is for sailors who want to sail fast. If I use the sail areas the promotional material provides for the main and jib I get a total sail area of 453 square foot and a SA/D of 46.25. That includes a square-top mainsail and what looks to be a 105% jib. You can fly a huge, 699-square-foot asymmetrical chute from a retractable pole if you get bored. The idea behind this rig was to be able to have the boat planning in moderate wind speeds. In light air the 24 could be the fastest of the three Seascapes.  The maximum number of crew is four adults but the brochure also mentions singlehanding the 24. Now that would be exciting. 

A lot of prototyping work went into this deck layout in order to get it as simple and effective as possible. Lifelines run from the transom to the mast then dive down to the foredeck. I have renderings, of course, but not a real deck plan, so I am unclear on many of the deck layout details. I’ll trust the yard got it right with its experiences with the 18 and the 27. The company keeps it simple. The mainsheet goes to a transom bridle then forward to a block on the cockpit sole. This will lead nicely to the helmsman sitting on the rail.

I watched a video of the 24 being sea trialed. It looks to be blowing maybe 20 knots and the 24 with chute up is doing a sustained plane with the bow lifting nicely. I can’t see anything not to like about this design.

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LOA 23’11”; Beam 8’2”; Draft 1’ (board up) to 6’3” (board down); Displ. 1,962 lbs.; Ballast 705 lbs.; Sail area 453 sq. ft.; SA/D 46.25; D/L 63.36; L/B 2.94

Our best estimate of the sailaway price: $65,795

Seascape USA

147 Whipple Rd.

Kittery, ME 03904

(207) 703-0307

www.seasacapeusa.com

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