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Able 20
Designer: W. R. Loughlin  ·  Builder: Loughlin Boat Works. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Able 20

Designed by W. R. Loughlin and built by Loughlin Boat Works beginning in 1972, this compact 20-footer represents classic American small boat design philosophy from the early 1970s. The Able 20's traditional long keel configuration and masthead sloop rig deliver steady, predictable sailing characteristics that make it particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and day sailing. With a displacement of 2,500 pounds and 1,000 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass cruiser offers substantial stability for its size. The long keel design provides excellent tracking and directional stability, though at the expense of quick tacking ability. The boat's beam of 7.33 feet creates a reasonably spacious cockpit while maintaining good performance under sail. The Able 20's comfort ratio of 15.81 indicates a relatively stiff, comfortable motion in moderate seas, while the capsize screening formula of 2.16 suggests reasonable stability for protected waters and near-coastal sailing. With 202 square feet of sail area driving the hull to a theoretical maximum speed of 5.36 knots, this boat prioritizes steady progress over pure speed. This design appeals to sailors seeking a traditional, forgiving boat for learning seamanship or enjoying relaxed coastal adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
Beam 7.33 ft / 2.23 m
Max Draft 2.42 ft / 0.74 m
Displacement 2,500.00 lb / 1,134 kg
Ballast 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 202.00 ft² / 18.77 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer W. R. Loughlin
Builder Loughlin Boat Works. (USA)
First Built 1972
Associations Mystic Seaport Museum
Related Sailboats ["Cal 20" · "Ranger 20" · "Heritage 20" · "Signet 20" · "Santana 20"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 290
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.59
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 40
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 272.48
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 15.81
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.16
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.36 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.88
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 419.05 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.92
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 20.42 ft / 6.22 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
SA Fore 96.00 ft² / 8.92 m²
SA Main 86.79 ft² / 8.06 m²
SA Total (100%) 182.79 ft² / 16.98 m²
Est. Forestay Length 25.30 ft / 7.71 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 10 gals / 38 L
How It Compares

vs. Heritage 20, Ranger 20, Signet 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Able 20 ★
20.0 ft
Heritage 20
20.0 ft
Ranger 20
20.0 ft
Signet 20
19.8 ft
LWL
Able 20 ★
16.0 ft
Heritage 20
15.0 ft
Ranger 20
16.0 ft
Signet 20
16.0 ft
Beam
Able 20 ★
7.3 ft
Heritage 20
6.5 ft
Ranger 20
7.9 ft
Signet 20
6.7 ft
Displacement
Able 20 ★
2 lbs
Heritage 20
3 lbs
Ranger 20
1 lbs
Signet 20
2 lbs
Ballast
Able 20 ★
1 lbs
Heritage 20
1 lbs
Ranger 20
550 lbs
Signet 20
800 lbs
Sail Area
Able 20 ★
202 sq ft
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
—
Signet 20
169 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Able 20 ★
290 s/nm
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
240 s/nm
Signet 20
304 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Able 20 ★
17.6
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
—
Signet 20
16.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Able 20 ★
40.0 %
Heritage 20
36.4 %
Ranger 20
36.7 %
Signet 20
37.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Able 20 ★
15.8
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
—
Signet 20
15.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Able 20 ★
2.16
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
—
Signet 20
2.07
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Able 20 ★
272
Heritage 20
436
Ranger 20
163
Signet 20
233
Hull Speed
Able 20 ★
5.4 kts
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
—
Signet 20
5.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Able 20 ★
1.9
Heritage 20
—
Ranger 20
—
Signet 20
2.3
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