Designed by James E. Graves and built at Graves Yacht Yard from 1960 to 1970, this compact cruiser represents classic American small boat design from the era when plywood construction made quality sailboats accessible to home builders and budget-conscious sailors. With only 40 hulls produced during its decade-long production run, the Barnegat 20 remains a relatively rare find on today's used boat market. The boat's single-chine plywood hull and long keel configuration deliver the steady, predictable sailing characteristics that defined traditional small cruisers of the 1960s. At just over 20 feet with a masthead sloop rig carrying 175 square feet of sail area, this design strikes a balance between manageable size and reasonable performance. The moderate displacement of 1,350 pounds and comfortable beam provide stability for coastal cruising and daysailing. The long keel design offers excellent tracking and seakindly motion in choppy conditions, making the Barnegat 20 well-suited for protected waters and near-coastal sailing. While not built for racing or offshore passages, this design excels as a simple, honest small cruiser for sailors seeking traditional sailing qualities in a compact, affordable package that can be easily trailered and maintained.
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What is the Barnegat 20's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Barnegat 20 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 22.97. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Barnegat 20's comfort ratio?
The Barnegat 20 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 8.38. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Barnegat 20 safe for offshore sailing?
The Barnegat 20 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.54. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Barnegat 20?
The theoretical hull speed of the Barnegat 20 is 5.69 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Barnegat 20 weigh?
The Barnegat 20 has a displacement of 1,350.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 20.08 ft.
Who designed the Barnegat 20?
The Barnegat 20 was designed by James E. Graves, first built in 1960.