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Signet 20
Designer: Ray Kaufmann  ·  Builder: Signet Marine, Ltd. Hurley Marine Ltd.  ·  First built: 1960
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About the Signet 20

Designed by Ray Kaufmann in 1960, this compact 20-footer represents solid British craftsmanship from the era when fiberglass construction was revolutionizing small boat manufacturing. Built by both Signet Marine and Hurley Marine, the Signet 20 embodies the practical sailing philosophy that made British boats renowned for their seaworthiness. The masthead sloop rig and fin keel with rudder-on-skeg configuration provide reliable handling characteristics, while the substantial 800-pound ballast gives impressive stability for a boat this size. With a displacement of over 2,100 pounds, she's notably heavier than many modern 20-footers, contributing to a reassuring motion in choppy conditions. Her moderate sail area and conservative proportions make the Signet 20 well-suited for coastal cruising and day sailing, particularly appealing to sailors who prioritize stability over outright speed. The comfortable motion indicated by her specifications suggests she'll handle typical coastal conditions with composure, making her an excellent choice for family sailing or as a first keelboat. While not designed for racing or extended offshore passages, the Signet 20 offers the classic virtues of British yacht design: solid construction, predictable handling, and the ability to provide years of reliable sailing pleasure in protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.83 ft / 6.04 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
Beam 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 2,146.00 lb / 973 kg
Ballast 800.00 lb / 363 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 169.00 ft² / 15.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ray Kaufmann
Builder Signet Marine, Ltd. Hurley Marine Ltd.
First Built 1960
Associations Hurley Owners Association
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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
304
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
16.29
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
37.28
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
233.9
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
15.43
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. 5.36 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
2.26
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. 381.32 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. 16.25
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 23.50 ft / 7.16 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 20.50 ft / 6.25 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.80 ft / 2.68 m
SA Fore 78.37 ft² / 7.28 m²
SA Main 90.20 ft² / 8.38 m²
SA Total (100%) 168.57 ft² / 15.66 m²
Est. Forestay Length 24.43 ft / 7.45 m
How It Compares

vs. Balboa 20, Hunter 20, Sundance 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Signet 20 ★
19.8 ft
Balboa 20
20.0 ft
Hunter 20
19.8 ft
Sundance 20
19.8 ft
LWL
Signet 20 ★
16.0 ft
Balboa 20
17.5 ft
Hunter 20
17.5 ft
Sundance 20
15.7 ft
Beam
Signet 20 ★
6.7 ft
Balboa 20
7.1 ft
Hunter 20
7.8 ft
Sundance 20
6.8 ft
Displacement
Signet 20 ★
2 lbs
Balboa 20
1 lbs
Hunter 20
2 lbs
Sundance 20
1 lbs
Ballast
Signet 20 ★
800 lbs
Balboa 20
450 lbs
Hunter 20
750 lbs
Sundance 20
175 lbs
Sail Area
Signet 20 ★
169 sq ft
Balboa 20
Hunter 20
175 sq ft
Sundance 20
160 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Signet 20 ★
304 s/nm
Balboa 20
276 s/nm
Hunter 20
285 s/nm
Sundance 20
260 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Signet 20 ★
16.3
Balboa 20
Hunter 20
17.6
Sundance 20
21.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Signet 20 ★
37.3 %
Balboa 20
26.5 %
Hunter 20
37.5 %
Sundance 20
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Signet 20 ★
15.4
Balboa 20
Hunter 20
11.1
Sundance 20
9.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Signet 20 ★
2.07
Balboa 20
Hunter 20
2.46
Sundance 20
2.48
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Signet 20 ★
233
Balboa 20
141
Hunter 20
166
Sundance 20
Hull Speed
Signet 20 ★
5.4 kts
Balboa 20
Hunter 20
5.6 kts
Sundance 20
5.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Signet 20 ★
2.3
Balboa 20
Hunter 20
Sundance 20
4.3
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