AQUARIUS 24 PILOT CUTTER
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 24 ft |
| LWL | 20 ft |
| Beam | 9 ft |
| Draft | 4 ft |
| Displacement | 8,900 lb |
| Ballast | 3,200.4 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.0 kn |
Engine
| Volvo Penta | MD7A13 hpSee all 14 parts → |
| Volvo Penta | MD7B17.5 hpSee all 12 parts → |
About the AQUARIUS 24 PILOT CUTTER
LOA w/bowsprit: 30'. Also available as gaff tops'l cutter. (LOA w/bowsprit: 32'.) Optional Volvo MD 7, 13hp diesel Designed inspired by the George Stadel Pilot Cutter "Indian" which was in Sarasota, FL (USA) at the time. The folks from Topsail yachts, also located in Sarasota, were frequent visitors to "Indian," taking pictures and measurements.
The Aquarius 24 Pilot Cutter is a compact, heavy-displacement cruiser designed by Frank Parish and built by Top Sail Yachts Inc. in the USA. With a production run of 33 hulls completed in 1979, this vessel represents a specific era of American small-boat design focused on stability and seaworthiness.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize safety and stability over speed, particularly those seeking a manageable 24-foot package with a cutter rig for easier single-handed handling.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 8900.0 lb, a capsize ratio of 1.74, and a full/long keel, the boat exhibits strong offshore stability characteristics suitable for protected coastal passages and short offshore trips.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 24 and O'Day 23, as they share similar dimensions and target the same market of small, sturdy cruisers from the late 1970s, though the Aquarius distinguishes itself with its full keel and cutter configuration.
Performance
Estimated Value
Limited DataEstimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 24ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the AQUARIUS 24 PILOT CUTTERyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a AQUARIUS 24 PILOT CUTTER? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Engine Parts & Maintenance
The engines most commonly fitted to this model. “All parts” opens the engine's full catalogue; each part links to a matching listing on 
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matched to its part number.
Volvo Penta MD7A
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Used sails that fit the AQUARIUS 24 PILOT CUTTER
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…