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Marieholm S 20
Designer: Olle Enderlain  ·  Builder: Marieholms  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Marieholm S 20

Swedish designer Olle Enderlain created this compact fractional sloop during the mid-1970s as an accessible entry point into serious sailing. Built by Marieholms from 1976 to 1978, the S 20 represents classic Scandinavian design philosophy with its clean lines and practical layout packed into just under 20 feet of length. The boat's fin keel and transom-hung rudder configuration provides responsive handling while maintaining reasonable stability for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. With a displacement of 2,756 pounds and 794 pounds of ballast, the S 20 strikes a balance between performance and comfort that made it popular among European sailors seeking a capable small cruiser. Her fractional rig and 183 square feet of sail area deliver spirited performance in moderate conditions, while the fiberglass construction ensures durability with manageable maintenance requirements. The comfort ratio of 17.03 indicates a relatively stiff ride typical of smaller boats, making her best suited for day sailing and short coastal passages rather than extended cruising. Only 250 examples were built during the brief production run, making the S 20 a distinctive choice for sailors appreciating Swedish craftsmanship and seeking a boat that can handle both casual sailing and more spirited outings in protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.68 ft / 6.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.22 ft / 5.25 m
Beam 7.22 ft / 2.20 m
Max Draft 2.95 ft / 0.90 m
Displacement 2,756.00 lb / 1,250 kg
Ballast 794.00 lb / 360 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 183.00 ft² / 17.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Olle Enderlain
Builder Marieholms
First Built 1976
Last Built 1978
Number Built 250
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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
 14.93
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
 28.81
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
 240.95
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
 17.03
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
 2.06
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. 5.56 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. 444.24 pounds/inch
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