Designed by F. S. Ford and first launched in 1969, this compact 20-footer represents solid mid-century small boat design principles wrapped in practical fiberglass construction. Built by Anchor Reinforced Plastics, the Ford 20 features a centerboard trunk configuration that allows for versatile shallow-water exploration while maintaining respectable sailing performance in deeper waters. The fractional sloop rig delivers a well-balanced sail plan that's manageable for small crews, while the generous beam of 7 feet provides stability and cockpit space that belies the boat's modest overall length. With a displacement of just 950 pounds and 205 square feet of working sail area, this lightweight design offers spirited performance in light to moderate conditions, making it an excellent choice for day sailing, sailing instruction, or weekend coastal adventures. The boat's moderate comfort ratio of 5.8 suggests it's optimized more for performance than extended cruising, while the capsize screening value of 2.85 indicates good stability characteristics for protected waters. The centerboard design makes launching from beaches or exploring thin water particularly appealing, and the boat's size makes single-handing quite manageable for experienced sailors. This Ford 20 suits sailors seeking an honest, straightforward boat for nearshore sailing adventures.
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What is the Ford 20's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Ford 20 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 34. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Ford 20's comfort ratio?
The Ford 20 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 5.8. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Ford 20 safe for offshore sailing?
The Ford 20 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.85. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Ford 20?
The theoretical hull speed of the Ford 20 is 5.76 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Ford 20 weigh?
The Ford 20 has a displacement of 950.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 20.00 ft.
Who designed the Ford 20?
The Ford 20 was designed by F. S. Ford, first built in 1969.