American 24

Description

The American 24 sailboat, also known as the Mariner 7.5 (reflecting its metric length of approximately 7.5 meters), is a compact fiberglass pocket cruiser produced by American Mariner Industries (AMI) in Compton, California, starting in 1979. Designed by Arthur S. Henry (AMI's founder), it's part of AMI's innovative lineup of trailerable sailboats featuring a patented "stabilizer keel" that recesses the cabin sole into the keel, providing exceptional standing headroom (over 6 feet) in a small hull. This 24-foot monohull masthead sloop is suited for coastal cruising, day sailing, or short overnights for 2–4 people on inland waters, bays, or protected coastal areas. Owners appreciate its spacious interior relative to its size, stability, and ease of handling for beginners or small crews, though it's underpowered in light winds and not designed for high-performance racing or offshore passages. The design emphasizes comfort and affordability, with a fixed fin keel for good tracking, but AMI's short lifespan (bankruptcy in the early 1980s) makes these boats rare and popular for restoration projects.