Cal 21
Description
The Cal 21 is a compact, trailerable sailboat designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine (Cal Yachts) in the mid-1960s to early 1970s. An evolution of the highly successful Cal 20, it was introduced to offer slightly more interior space and modernized features while retaining the simplicity, affordability, and lively performance that made the Cal 20 a classic. Approximately 400 units were built, though exact production numbers are less documented. Designed as a daysailer and entry-level cruiser-racer, the Cal 21 appeals to beginners, small families, and club racers for lake and coastal sailing. Its lightweight fiberglass construction, shoal draft, and trailer ability make it ideal for shallow waters and easy transport, though it’s not suited for offshore or extended cruising. Owners praise its "quick, fun handling" and low maintenance, with active one-design fleets in areas like California and the Midwest.
Construction Details
| Designer | William Lapworth |
|---|---|
| Length | 20.500 ft |
| LOA | 20.500 ft |
| LWL | 16.670 ft |
| Beam | 6.670 ft |
| Displacement | 1100 lb |
| Max Draft | 4.300 ft |
| Min Draft | 0.800 ft |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 23 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 8.50 ft |
| p | 23 ft |
| e | 8.50 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 ft | 8.50 ft | 23 ft | 8.50 ft | - | - |
Blueprints
Sails
| Sail Type | MAINSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 23 ft - (7010 mm) |
| Foot | * 8.5 ft - (2591 mm) |
| Leech | * 24 ft - (7315 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 24.24 ft - (7388 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 4 in - (102 mm) |
| Area | * 100.48 ft² |
| Sail Type | JIBSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | 19 ft - (5791 mm) |
| Foot | 11.5 ft - (3505 mm) |
| Leech | 16.58 ft - (5054 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 117.18 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 9.96 ft - (3036 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 9.7 ° |
| Area | * 94.63 ft² |
| Sail Type | GENOA |
|---|---|
| Luff | 21 ft - (6401 mm) |
| Foot | 12 ft - (3658 mm) |
| Leech | 19.5 ft - (5944 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 129.06 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 10.97 ft - (3344 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.69 ° |
| Area | * 115.13 ft² |
| Sail Type | GENOA |
|---|---|
| Luff | 22 ft - (6706 mm) |
| Foot | 13.92 ft - (4243 mm) |
| Leech | 20.83 ft - (6349 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150.24 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 12.77 ft - (3892 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.18 ° |
| Area | * 140.46 ft² |
| Sail Type | ASYMMETRICAL |
|---|---|
| Luff | 24 ft - (7315 mm) |
| Foot | 14.75 ft - (4496 mm) |
| Leech | 22 ft - (6706 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 266 ft² |
| Sail Type | SPINNAKER |
|---|---|
| Stays | 23.29 ft - (7099 mm) |
| MidGirth | 15.3 ft - (4663 mm) |
| Foot | 15.3 ft - (4663 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 303 ft² |
| Sail Type | STORMJIB |
|---|---|
| Luff | 14 ft - (4267 mm) |
| Foot | 8.42 ft - (2566 mm) |
| Leech | 11.25 ft - (3429 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 79.65 % |
| Length Perp | * 6.77 ft - (2063 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 16.25 ° |
| Area | * 47.36 ft² |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite.