New life
in the Northwest
Tom Cooper
at the helm of
the first
Dana 24
produced
in the
Northwest.
have been added. Plumbing and
electrical systems have been simplified
and updated. The powerplant is now a
Yanmar 3 cyinder 21 hp diesel.
We took the new Dana 24 out for
a sail on Lake Union in March and she
handled very nicely in the moderate
breeze. Of course, as a cruiser, she’ll
gain a bit of weight when anchors,
rodes and all the other miscellaneous
by Richard Hazelton cruising necessities are put aboard, but,
as the bowsprit basically gives her the
sail area of a 27-footer, she’ll handle it
The first Dana 24’s were produced Seacraft, spent a month at Chinook, easily.
in 1985. When the previous owners training them in the particulars of the The boat comes nicely set up for
of Pacific Seacraft decided to just Dana and assisting them in laying up cruising shorthanded. Everything is
build larger boats and discontinue the the first hull and other components. easily reached from the tiller. There’s
sturdy little cruiser, Tom Cooper and Then I put on the finishing touches,” even rollers in the back for dropping
Max Heller, partners in Seacraft Yacht says Tom. a stern anchor or lunch hook. Our
Sales in Seattle since 1989, obtained the While the hull and sailplan of boat had a wooden toerail which is an
tooling and are now building the boat the boat are basically the same as the option. The standard “no maintenance”
in the Northwest. The hull, deck and original, Tom and company have exterior includes an aluminum one..
liner are built by Chinook Composites definitely put their stamp on the new The jib is on a Furlex Furler, winches
in Portland, and the finishing work is boats. “We’ve made some updates are Lewmar and most hardware is
done on Bainbridge Island. “I brought and improvements. For instance, the Schaeffer.
up two experienced craftsmen who interiors are now American cherry, the With a base price of of $139,000, the
had previously worked on the Danas. portlights are from New Found Metals new Dana 24 continues her pedigree of
They built or installed the major in Port Townsend, the interior lighting, being a sturdy, seaworthy boat, with
components, including cabinetry and as well as the running and anchor lights proven offshore capabilities. It’s good
engine, and helped us set up our shop. are now LED.” to see this boat building tradition being
Victor Gonzolez, who had 20 years To add more storage, the cabinets carried on in the Northwest by Tom
experience in the mold shop at Pacific over the settees are deeper, and shelves and Max. www.seacraft.com
48° No r t h , Ap r i l 2009 pA g e 42
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