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Newport 20
Designer: Gary Mull  ·  Builder: Lindsey Plastics/Capital Yachts Inc.  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Newport 20

Designed as an accessible and enjoyable daysailer, the Newport 20 has earned a loyal following among sailors looking for a capable yet manageable boat for coastal and bay sailing. Built by Newport Boats in California during the 1970s, this compact sloop became a popular choice for beginners and experienced sailors alike, thanks to its forgiving nature and straightforward handling characteristics. The Newport 20 is well regarded for its stable, seaworthy hull, which inspires confidence in a variety of conditions without demanding expert-level skill from its crew. Its modest size makes it easy to trailer, launch, and maintain, opening up sailing opportunities across a wide range of venues beyond a home marina. This trailability has contributed significantly to its enduring appeal and the active class community that continues to race and cruise these boats today. For someone entering the sport or seeking a low-maintenance weekend sailboat, the Newport 20 represents solid value and proven performance. Its combination of simplicity, durability, and lively sailing behavior makes it a rewarding choice for relaxed coastal daysailing and friendly club racing alike.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
Beam 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Max Draft 3.33 ft / 1.01 m
Displacement 2,500.00 lb / 1,134 kg
Ballast 900.00 lb / 408 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 196.50 ft² / 18.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gary Mull
Builder Lindsey Plastics/Capital Yachts Inc.
First Built 1968
Related Sailboats ["Santana 20" · "Islander 21" · "Cal 21" · "San Juan 21" · "Yngling"]
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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
 267
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
 17.11
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
 15.42
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
 2.07
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. 5.69
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
 2.83
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. 450.21
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 25.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.33
P (Mainsail Luff) 21.2
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.8
SA Fore 104.13
SA Main 93.28
How It Compares

vs. Cal 21, Islander 21, San Juan 21

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Newport 20 ★
20.5 ft
Cal 21
20.5 ft
Islander 21
20.8 ft
San Juan 21
20.5 ft
LWL
Newport 20 ★
18.0 ft
Cal 21
16.7 ft
Islander 21
18.0 ft
San Juan 21
17.0 ft
Beam
Newport 20 ★
7.0 ft
Cal 21
6.7 ft
Islander 21
7.8 ft
San Juan 21
7.0 ft
Displacement
Newport 20 ★
2 lbs
Cal 21
1 lbs
Islander 21
1 lbs
San Juan 21
1 lbs
Ballast
Newport 20 ★
900 lbs
Cal 21
360 lbs
Islander 21
1 lbs
San Juan 21
400 lbs
Sail Area
Newport 20 ★
196 sq ft
Cal 21
196 sq ft
Islander 21
215 sq ft
San Juan 21
190 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Newport 20 ★
267 s/nm
Cal 21
261 s/nm
Islander 21
279 s/nm
San Juan 21
258 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Newport 20 ★
17.1
Cal 21
29.5
Islander 21
22.1
San Juan 21
26.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Newport 20 ★
—
Cal 21
32.7 %
Islander 21
51.3 %
San Juan 21
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Newport 20 ★
15.4
Cal 21
7.6
Islander 21
10.3
San Juan 21
8.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Newport 20 ★
2.07
Cal 21
2.59
Islander 21
2.51
San Juan 21
2.60
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Newport 20 ★
—
Cal 21
106
Islander 21
149
San Juan 21
—
Hull Speed
Newport 20 ★
5.7 kts
Cal 21
5.5 kts
Islander 21
5.7 kts
San Juan 21
5.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Newport 20 ★
2.8
Cal 21
6.0
Islander 21
4.1
San Juan 21
5.4
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