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Hunter 20
Designer: Hunter Design Team  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Hunter 20

Small boat sailing enthusiasts have long appreciated this compact trailer-sailer from Hunter Marine for its blend of simplicity and performance. Designed as an accessible entry point into the sailing world, this pocket cruiser delivers surprising capability despite its modest dimensions. The boat's lightweight construction and shallow draft make it particularly well-suited for coastal sailing, lake cruising, and day sailing adventures. Its trailerable design opens up endless possibilities for exploring new waters, while the simple rigging system appeals to both novice sailors learning the ropes and experienced sailors seeking hassle-free sailing. Hunter built this model with their characteristic focus on user-friendly features and practical layouts. The cockpit provides comfortable seating for a small crew, while the cabin offers basic accommodations for weekend getaways. The boat's responsive handling characteristics make it an excellent choice for sailing instruction and casual racing in smaller boat fleets. What sets this Hunter apart is its forgiving nature and predictable behavior in various conditions. The design strikes an effective balance between stability and performance, making it confidence-inspiring for newer sailors while remaining engaging enough to hold the interest of more experienced hands seeking uncomplicated sailing pleasure.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.75 ft / 6.02 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
Beam 7.75 ft / 2.36 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 2,000 lb / 907 kg
Ballast 750 lb / 340 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 175 ft² / 16.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hunter Design Team
First Built 1980
Last Built 1992
Number Built 2000
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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
 285
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
 17.62
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
 37.5
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
 166.6
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
 11.05
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
 2.46
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. 5.61 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. 2.91 pounds/inch
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