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Roue 20
Designer: William J. Roué  ·  First built: 1922
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About the Roue 20

Designed as a compact and capable small sailboat, the Roue 20 carries the legacy of naval architect William James Roué, best known for designing the iconic Canadian schooner Bluenose. While detailed specifications for this design are limited, the Roue 20 reflects the thoughtful, seaworthy sensibilities associated with Roué's broader body of work. Well-suited to coastal sailing and sheltered waters, the Roue 20 appeals to those looking for an approachable yet purposeful small boat experience. Its modest size makes it manageable for single-handed or short-handed sailing, while still offering enough substance for day cruising and weekend adventures. Sailors drawn to classic design lineage and traditional proportions will find the Roue 20 particularly appealing. For buyers researching entry-level or trailerable sailboats with historical design pedigree, the Roue 20 presents an interesting option worth exploring further. Prospective owners are encouraged to seek out existing owners and class associations to gather firsthand accounts of performance and handling, which will provide the clearest picture of what sailing this boat is truly like.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.20 ft / 1.28 m
Displacement 4,700.00 lb / 2,132 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood/FG
Designer William J. Roué
First Built 1922
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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
179
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
226.56
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. 3.6 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 21.85
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 382.00 ft² / 35.49 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 226.56
How It Compares

vs. Controversy 31, Longbow 31 Westerly, Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Roue 20 ★
31.0 ft
Controversy 31
31.0 ft
Longbow 31 Westerly
31.0 ft
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
31.0 ft
LWL
Roue 20 ★
21.0 ft
Controversy 31
26.7 ft
Longbow 31 Westerly
25.0 ft
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
23.3 ft
Beam
Roue 20 ★
8.0 ft
Controversy 31
5.4 ft
Longbow 31 Westerly
9.5 ft
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
8.8 ft
Displacement
Roue 20 ★
4 lbs
Controversy 31
7 lbs
Longbow 31 Westerly
9 lbs
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
10 lbs
Ballast
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
4 lbs
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
3 lbs
Sail Area
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
371 sq ft
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
403 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Roue 20 ★
179 s/nm
Controversy 31
204 s/nm
Longbow 31 Westerly
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
13.4
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
13.3
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
27.0
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
35.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
1.80
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
1.59
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Roue 20 ★
226
Controversy 31
164
Longbow 31 Westerly
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
376
Hull Speed
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
6.7 kts
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
6.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Roue 20 ★
Controversy 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
1.7
Offshore 31 Cheoy Lee
1.0
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