The Hunter 20 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a fractionalsloop rig, a raked stem, a vertical transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller, a "pop-up" companionway hatch and a retractable centerboard. It displaces 1,700 lb (771 kg) and carries 400 lb (181 kg) of ballast.[1][4]
The boat has a draft of 4.00 ft (1.22 m) with the centreboard extended and 1.25 ft (0.38 m) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]
Standard equipment includes a stove and cooler, toilet, life jackets and an anchor.[4]
The design has sleeping accommodation for five people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, a straight settee in the main cabin and a dinette table that drops down to form a double berth on the starboard side. The galley slides under the cockpit when not in use. Cabin headroom is 50 in (127 cm).[5]
The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][5]
The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 282 with a high of 274 and low of 288. It has a hull speed of 5.28 kn (9.78 km/h).[6]
Operational history
In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "best features: Compared to her comp[etitor]s, the Hunter 20 is small. She is shortest on LOD, has the lowest ballast and the highest D/L (with by far the shortest waterline), and ties for lowest displacement. Nevertheless the accommodations, while not spacious, are cleverly arranged to include a dinette, complete with table and facing seats. A galley slides forward from under the cockpit when needed. Worst features: The forward V-berth does not provide adequate room for two adults to share."[5]