Description
The IC 24 (also stylized as IC-24 or IC24) is a Caribbean one-design keelboat developed in 2000 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, by Chris Rosenberg in collaboration with local sailor and boat builder Morgan Avery (and his father Dick Avery). It originated from the need for an affordable, comfortable "open cockpit" racer/day sailor suited to inter-club racing, series events, and casual daysailing in the islands. Rather than a new-from-scratch build, it's a conversion/modification of an existing J/24 hull: the cabin top and original cockpit are removed (often using cutting tools), replaced with a spacious, ergonomic open cockpit (no hiking required, seats 4–5 comfortably), a larger/more controllable rudder, and minor adjustments for better handling—retaining the proven J/24 hull, keel (fin with bulb), and spade rudder base for excellent performance while addressing the J/24's cramped, wet interior complaints. Construction involves fiberglass (from the donor J/24) with the new deck/cockpit built to strict class rules (e.g., deck conversion weight 250–260 lbs, specific bulkhead attachments). It's praised as responsive, stable, and fun—described as "the best idea since aerosol pancake mix"—with strong fleets in the USVI (St. Thomas Sailing Center), BVI, and some US mainland clubs; it's a "Caribbean phenomenon" for no-hike racing and easy short-handed sailing, with auxiliary outboard power common.
Quantity built is not a traditional production run (no single factory builder like J Boats), but rather a conversion class—dozens of hulls converted over the years (estimates suggest 50+ active/known examples, primarily in the Caribbean, with some new "from-donor" builds following class specs).
