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Hotfoot 20
Designer: Doug Hemphill  ·  Builder: Hotfoot Boats (Can)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Hotfoot 20

Designed by Doug Hemphill and first launched in 1985, this Canadian-built compact cruiser exemplifies thoughtful small boat design for coastal sailing adventures. The fractional sloop rig and fiberglass construction create a manageable yet capable platform that punches above its weight class. The lifting keel configuration stands out as the boat's most distinctive feature, allowing access to shallow waters and simplified trailering while maintaining respectable sailing performance. With a hull speed of 5.69 knots and sail area-to-displacement ratio of 36.07, the Hotfoot 20 offers spirited performance that belies its modest size. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio provides reassuring stability for coastal cruising. At 1,000 pounds displacement with 400 pounds of ballast, this design strikes an appealing balance between portability and seaworthiness. The comfort ratio of 4.8 suggests quick, responsive motion typical of smaller boats, while the capsize screening value of 3.4 indicates reasonable stability for coastal conditions. Hotfoot Boats of Canada created a design well-suited for weekend coastal cruising, day sailing, and small-boat adventures. The lifting keel opens up gunkholing possibilities that fixed-keel boats cannot access, making this an attractive option for sailors seeking versatility in shallow-water cruising grounds. The compact dimensions and manageable systems make it particularly appealing for sailors transitioning from dinghies to small keelboats.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 1.50 ft / 0.46 m
Displacement 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Ballast 400.00 lb / 181 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 225.00 ft² / 20.90 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Doug Hemphill
Builder Hotfoot Boats (CAN)
First Built 1985
Related Sailboats ["Cal 20" · "Ranger 20" · "Windrose 20" · "Ensenada 20" · "Sovereign 20"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 171
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
 36.07
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
 76.55
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
 4.8
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
 3.4
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. 5.69 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
 7.69
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. 546.69 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. 36.03
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
SA Fore 81.25 ft² / 7.55 m²
SA Main 143.50 ft² / 13.33 m²
SA Total (100%) 224.75 ft² / 20.88 m²
Est. Forestay Length 25.83 ft / 7.87 m
How It Compares

vs. Ensenada 20, Ranger 20, Windrose 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hotfoot 20 ★
20.0 ft
Ensenada 20
20.0 ft
Ranger 20
20.0 ft
Windrose 20
20.0 ft
LWL
Hotfoot 20 ★
18.0 ft
Ensenada 20
17.5 ft
Ranger 20
16.0 ft
Windrose 20
16.0 ft
Beam
Hotfoot 20 ★
8.5 ft
Ensenada 20
7.1 ft
Ranger 20
7.9 ft
Windrose 20
7.5 ft
Displacement
Hotfoot 20 ★
1 lbs
Ensenada 20
1 lbs
Ranger 20
1 lbs
Windrose 20
1 lbs
Ballast
Hotfoot 20 ★
400 lbs
Ensenada 20
550 lbs
Ranger 20
550 lbs
Windrose 20
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hotfoot 20 ★
171 s/nm
Ensenada 20
291 s/nm
Ranger 20
240 s/nm
Windrose 20
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hotfoot 20 ★
40.0 %
Ensenada 20
34.4 %
Ranger 20
36.7 %
Windrose 20
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hotfoot 20 ★
76
Ensenada 20
133
Ranger 20
163
Windrose 20
179
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