Designed as a more compact version of the Helsen 22, the Helsen 20 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig with aluminum spars, a raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a retractable swing keel. It displaces 2,000 lb (907 kg) and carries 400 lb (181 kg) of lead ballast.[1][4]
The boat has a draft of 1.17 ft (0.36 m) with the keel retracted, allowing beaching, operational in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two berths in the main cabin. The head is located in the bow cabin between the "V"-berths. A forward-hinged cabin top increases the cabin headroom from 4.25 in (11 cm) with it closed to 5.33 in (14 cm) with it open.[1][4]
