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Matilda 20
Designer: Robert Tucker  ·  Builder: Ouyang Boat Works (Can)  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Matilda 20

Designed by Robert Tucker and built by Ouyang Boat Works in Canada starting in 1971, this compact 19.5-foot sailboat represents an interesting approach to small boat design from the early 1970s. The Matilda 20's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which allows the draft to be reduced from 4.16 feet for enhanced shallow water exploration and easier trailering. With a displacement of 1,550 pounds and relatively light ballast of 300 pounds, this boat prioritizes easy handling over heavy-weather capability. The masthead sloop rig carries 177 square feet of sail area, providing a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 21.19 that suggests sprightly performance in moderate conditions. The beam of nearly 8 feet offers good stability and interior space for such a compact design. The Matilda 20 is well-suited for coastal cruising, day sailing, and exploring shallow waters where the lifting keel becomes a significant advantage. The comfort ratio of 8.8 indicates this is primarily a day sailor rather than an extended cruising boat. The fiberglass construction provides durability and low maintenance, while the hull speed of 5.41 knots offers respectable performance for weekend adventures and learning to sail.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.50 ft / 5.94 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.33 ft / 4.98 m
Beam 7.92 ft / 2.41 m
Max Draft 4.16 ft / 1.27 m
Min Draft 0.75 ft / 0.23 m
Displacement 1,550.00 lb / 703 kg
Ballast 300.00 lb / 136 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 177.00 ft² / 16.44 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Robert Tucker
Builder Ouyang Boat Works (CAN)
First Built 1971
Related Sailboats ["Oday 20" · "Nordica 20" · "Hunter 20" · "Montego 20" · "Corinthian 19 Alberg"]
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
 279
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
 21.19
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
 19.35
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
 158.9
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
 8.8
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
 2.74
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. 5.41 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
 3.79
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. 462.12 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. 21.21
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 23.50 ft / 7.16 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 20.80 ft / 6.34 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
SA Fore 94.00 ft² / 8.73 m²
SA Main 83.20 ft² / 7.73 m²
SA Total (100%) 177.20 ft² / 16.46 m²
Est. Forestay Length 24.82 ft / 7.57 m
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 20, Montego 20, Nordica 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Matilda 20 ★
19.5 ft
Hunter 20
19.8 ft
Montego 20
19.5 ft
Nordica 20
19.5 ft
LWL
Matilda 20 ★
16.3 ft
Hunter 20
17.5 ft
Montego 20
17.8 ft
Nordica 20
16.5 ft
Beam
Matilda 20 ★
7.9 ft
Hunter 20
7.8 ft
Montego 20
7.2 ft
Nordica 20
7.7 ft
Displacement
Matilda 20 ★
1 lbs
Hunter 20
2 lbs
Montego 20
1 lbs
Nordica 20
2 lbs
Ballast
Matilda 20 ★
300 lbs
Hunter 20
750 lbs
Montego 20
600 lbs
Nordica 20
1 lbs
Sail Area
Matilda 20 ★
177 sq ft
Hunter 20
175 sq ft
Montego 20
189 sq ft
Nordica 20
188 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Matilda 20 ★
279 s/nm
Hunter 20
285 s/nm
Montego 20
282 s/nm
Nordica 20
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Matilda 20 ★
21.2
Hunter 20
17.6
Montego 20
21.3
Nordica 20
16.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Matilda 20 ★
19.4 %
Hunter 20
37.5 %
Montego 20
—
Nordica 20
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Matilda 20 ★
8.8
Hunter 20
11.1
Montego 20
10.4
Nordica 20
14.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Matilda 20 ★
2.74
Hunter 20
2.46
Montego 20
2.41
Nordica 20
2.26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Matilda 20 ★
158
Hunter 20
166
Montego 20
—
Nordica 20
—
Hull Speed
Matilda 20 ★
5.4 kts
Hunter 20
5.6 kts
Montego 20
5.7 kts
Nordica 20
5.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Matilda 20 ★
3.8
Hunter 20
—
Montego 20
3.8
Nordica 20
2.1
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