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Hurley 20
Designer: Ian L. Anderson  ·  Builder: Hurley Marine Ltd.  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Hurley 20

Built during Britain's fiberglass boat building boom, this compact cruiser represents Hurley Marine's approach to affordable family sailing. With her modest dimensions, the Hurley 20 carved out a niche as an accessible entry point into cruising sailboats, offering more accommodation and seaworthiness than typical dinghies while remaining manageable for novice sailors. The design reflects classic early fiberglass construction techniques, featuring a solid layup that has proven durable over decades. Her traditional lines and moderate proportions suggest stability-focused sailing characteristics, making her well-suited for coastal cruising and day sailing in moderate conditions. The cockpit and cabin arrangement prioritize practicality over luxury, typical of boats designed for the British market where value and functionality often trumped exotic features. While not designed for offshore passages or competitive racing, the Hurley 20 excels as a weekender and coastal explorer. Her size makes her trailerable in most jurisdictions, expanding cruising opportunities beyond a single home port. For sailors seeking their first cabin boat or a simple coastal cruiser without complex systems, this sturdy little vessel offers honest sailing characteristics and the satisfaction of traditional boat ownership.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.98 ft / 6.09 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.91 ft / 4.85 m
Beam 7.74 ft / 2.36 m
Max Draft 2.59 ft / 0.79 m
Displacement 2,271.00 lb / 1,030 kg
Ballast 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 185.00 ft² / 17.19 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Twin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ian L. Anderson
Builder Hurley Marine Ltd.
First Built 1966
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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
17.17
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
13.41
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
2.36
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. 5.34
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. 440.0
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