RAINBOW 24
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 24 ft |
| LWL | 17.25 ft |
| Beam | 6.25 ft |
| Draft | 3.5 ft |
| Displacement | 2,250 lb |
| Ballast | 1,120 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.6 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 24 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 8.8 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 21.7 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10 ft |
| FLforestay | 8.8 ft |
| Mainsail | 222.8 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 105.6 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 179.5 sq ft |
About the RAINBOW 24
S&S design #1701. Originally designed in 1961 for the Annapolis Sailing School. A version with extended coach roof was called the RAINBOW WEEKENDER. Another version without any cuddy or cabin was built for the U. S. Naval Academy and called the KNOCKABOUT. Including all variants, it is thought that around 500 hulls were built. (The first few boats were found to be somewhat tender and ballast was increased to 1120 lbs.) (A small cruiser, the ANNAPOLIS 25 uses the RAINBOW hull with an entirely different different deck and coach roof. A small but unknown number of these were built.)
Direct variant of the RAINBOW 24
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the RAINBOW 24 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 24ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the RAINBOW 24yet 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 RAINBOW 24? 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 RAINBOW 24?
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 RAINBOW 24
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…