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Helsen 20
Designer: J. "Jopie" Helsen  ·  Builder: Helsen Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Helsen 20

Designed by J. "Jopie" Helsen and first launched in 1974, this compact 20-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat cruising and daysailing. The swing keel configuration makes it particularly appealing to sailors who need shallow draft capability for exploring gunkholes, beaching, or navigating areas with limited depth, while the retractable keel allows for conventional sailing performance when deployed. With a displacement of 2,000 pounds and 400 pounds of ballast, the Helsen 20 strikes a balance between stability and trailerable weight. The masthead sloop rig carries 181 square feet of sail area, providing adequate power for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The fiberglass construction offers durability and lower maintenance compared to wooden alternatives of the era. The boat's comfort ratio of 11.98 suggests it's designed more for spirited sailing than heavy-weather passages, while the capsize screening formula of 2.33 indicates reasonable stability for protected waters and near-coastal sailing. Built by Helsen Yachts in the USA, this design caters to sailors seeking a versatile small cruiser that can handle both sailing performance and the practical demands of shallow-water exploration, making it well-suited for coastal cruising, day sailing, and weekend getaways.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.08 ft / 6.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.33 ft / 5.28 m
Beam 7.33 ft / 2.23 m
Min Draft 1.17 ft / 0.36 m
Displacement 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Ballast 400.00 lb / 181 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 181.00 ft² / 16.82 m²
Headroom 4.25 ft / 1.30 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing keel w/outboard rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer J. "Jopie" Helsen
Builder Helsen Yachts (USA)
First Built 1974
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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
 276
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
 18.29
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
 20
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
 171.55
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
 11.98
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
 2.33
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. 5.58 kn
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. 453.89 pounds/inch
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