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Henley 20
 ·  Builder: Halman Manufacturing Co (Can)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Henley 20

Built by Canada's Halman Manufacturing starting in 1984, this compact cruiser represents solid value in the small boat market. At just over 19 feet, the Henley 20 maximizes interior space with its generous 8-foot beam while maintaining the stability that comes with traditional long keel design and 300 pounds of ballast. The masthead sloop rig delivers respectable performance with 179 square feet of sail area, though this boat clearly prioritizes comfort and seaworthiness over speed. With a hull speed of 5.44 knots and moderate sail area to displacement ratio, expect steady rather than thrilling sailing. The long keel configuration provides excellent tracking and directional stability, making it forgiving for newer sailors while offering the self-steering qualities appreciated on longer passages. This fiberglass construction handles coastal cruising admirably, with build quality reflecting Halman's reputation for practical, well-engineered small boats. The comfort ratio of 6.7 suggests reasonable motion in a seaway for its size, while the capsize screening formula of 3.01 indicates good stability characteristics. Best suited for protected waters, coastal day sailing, and weekend cruising, the Henley 20 appeals to sailors seeking traditional sailing qualities in a manageable, trailerable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.33 ft / 5.89 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.50 ft / 5.03 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 2.42 ft / 0.74 m
Displacement 1,200.00 lb / 544 kg
Ballast 300.00 lb / 136 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 179.00 ft² / 16.63 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Builder Halman Manufacturing Co (CAN)
First Built 1984
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Performance Ratios
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
 25.41
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
 25
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
 119.26
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
 6.7
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
 3.01
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. 5.44 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. 471.65 pounds/inch
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