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Kinsman
Designer: Leslie Landamore  ·  Builder: Betts Moulding Ltd.  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Kinsman

Built during an era when affordable family cruising was gaining momentum, this sailboat represents a practical approach to recreational sailing. The Kinsman emerged from a design philosophy focused on providing reliable performance for weekend sailors and those seeking their first taste of coastal cruising adventures. With its moderate displacement and well-proportioned sail plan, the Kinsman strikes a balance between stability and responsiveness that appeals to sailors transitioning from smaller daysailers to more substantial cruising boats. The design incorporates a traditional aesthetic with modern conveniences, making it suitable for both afternoon sails and extended coastal passages. The boat's reputation centers around its forgiving handling characteristics and ability to maintain composure in varied conditions. This makes it particularly attractive to families and sailors building their offshore experience. The accommodation layout maximizes available space while maintaining the structural integrity needed for serious coastal work. While not designed for competitive racing, the Kinsman holds its own in club events and delivers satisfying performance for recreational sailors who prioritize comfort and safety over pure speed. Its enduring appeal lies in providing a solid foundation for exploring coastal waters with confidence, whether on day trips or extended cruising adventures along protected coastlines.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.68 ft / 6.00 m
Beam 6.23 ft / 1.90 m
Max Draft 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
Min Draft 0.90 ft / 0.27 m
Displacement 1,477.00 lb / 670 kg
Ballast 771.00 lb / 350 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 434.00 ft² / 40.32 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Leslie Landamore
Builder Betts Moulding Ltd.
First Built 1968
Related Sailboats Signet 20 · Hurley 20 · Nordica 20 · Oday 20 · Hunter 20
Owner Reviews

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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
53.65
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
2.19
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 20, Hurley 20, Nordica 20, Oday 20, Signet 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kinsman ★
19.7 ft
Hunter 20
19.8 ft
Hurley 20
20.0 ft
Nordica 20
19.5 ft
Oday 20
19.6 ft
Signet 20
19.8 ft
LWL
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
17.5 ft
Hurley 20
15.9 ft
Nordica 20
16.5 ft
Oday 20
17.3 ft
Signet 20
16.0 ft
Beam
Kinsman ★
6.2 ft
Hunter 20
7.8 ft
Hurley 20
7.7 ft
Nordica 20
7.7 ft
Oday 20
7.0 ft
Signet 20
6.7 ft
Displacement
Kinsman ★
1 lbs
Hunter 20
2 lbs
Hurley 20
2 lbs
Nordica 20
2 lbs
Oday 20
2 lbs
Signet 20
2 lbs
Ballast
Kinsman ★
771 lbs
Hunter 20
750 lbs
Hurley 20
1 lbs
Nordica 20
1 lbs
Oday 20
400 lbs
Signet 20
800 lbs
Sail Area
Kinsman ★
434 sq ft
Hunter 20
175 sq ft
Hurley 20
185 sq ft
Nordica 20
188 sq ft
Oday 20
Signet 20
169 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
285 s/nm
Hurley 20
Nordica 20
Oday 20
280 s/nm
Signet 20
304 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kinsman ★
53.7
Hunter 20
17.6
Hurley 20
17.2
Nordica 20
16.3
Oday 20
Signet 20
16.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
37.5 %
Hurley 20
Nordica 20
Oday 20
17.0 %
Signet 20
37.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
11.1
Hurley 20
13.4
Nordica 20
14.8
Oday 20
Signet 20
15.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kinsman ★
2.19
Hunter 20
2.46
Hurley 20
2.36
Nordica 20
2.26
Oday 20
Signet 20
2.07
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
166
Hurley 20
Nordica 20
Oday 20
204
Signet 20
233
Hull Speed
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
5.6 kts
Hurley 20
5.3 kts
Nordica 20
5.4 kts
Oday 20
Signet 20
5.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kinsman ★
Hunter 20
Hurley 20
Nordica 20
2.1
Oday 20
Signet 20
2.3
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