GREAT LAKES 21
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 21 ft |
| LWL | 18.33 ft |
| Beam | 5.75 ft |
| Draft | 3.42 ft |
| Displacement | 1,875 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.7 kn |
About the GREAT LAKES 21
… inches longer than the GL-21, and sail area with aluminum spars is 245 sq. ft. For more information... Additional details of small wooden sloops built at Hodgdon Brothers between 1930 and 1966, can be accessed as an attachment to an article entitled “Short Ends Long Waterlines” in offcenterharbor.com dated April 20, 2020. https://www.offcenterharbor.com/2020/04/20/short-ends-long-waterlines/ Thanks to Charles Race for providing photos and history of this class.
The Great Lakes 21 is a classic 21.0 ft fractional sloop designed by Charles Hodgdon and built by Hodgdon Brothers (USA) in 1939. With a displacement of 1875.0 lb and a build count of ?, this vessel represents a specific era of American boatbuilding.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and day sailors seeking a manageable, lightweight vessel with a max draft of 3.42 ft that allows access to shallow waters.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a comfort ratio of 14.72 and a capsize ratio of 1.87, the Great Lakes 21 is primarily suited for coastal cruising rather than extended bluewater passages.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from the same era include other Hodgdon designs and small 20-22 ft fractional sloops, sharing similar fractional rig configurations and light displacement characteristics.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the GREAT LAKES 21 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 21ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the GREAT LAKES 21yet 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 GREAT LAKES 21? 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
Which engine powers your GREAT LAKES 21?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the GREAT LAKES 21
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…