Leisure 20

It is almost pointless me explaining the merits of a Leisure 20 when it has been done so well at the Leisure Owners’ Association website. (See link below)


However, I have this photo of a Leisure 20 that clearly illustrates some of the features mentioned in the article. The first item of merit was her long waterline length which is not much less than her overall length. The benefit, of course, is maximizing on the length to give speed through the water. The longer a boat, the faster she can go. The second item was her wide beam, which is not evident from the photo, but her wide beam gives her a good measure of stability and a spacious interior.


The writer claimed Leisure 20s could go anywhere, even offshore sailing, which I also believe is true. Her relatively shallow draught of little over a metre allows her to be sailed in estuaries, and her bilge keels protect her hull when she takes the ground. There is a centreboard version that has a galvanised metal plate. Both versions have provision for inboard/outboard engines that give good manoeuvrability, even when going astern.


Surprisingly, the name of the German designer of the hull is not known, but the superstructure was designed by Brian Meerloo.


I have sailed a Leisure 20 and I found that she felt like a much bigger boat. She handled faultlessly under sail and motor while experiencing a variety of conditions. I liked the cockpit which was large enough for two people to move around without getting in each other’s way. The advertising blurb reckons four can comfortably fit in the cockpit; that’s true, but that’s not the case when sailing, especially short-tacking. I’ve heard it said that the Leisure 20 does not perform well to windward, but with her high aspect mainsail and masthead Genoa, I would dispute that.


Statistics

LOA 6.09 M
LWL 5.56 M
Beam 2.31 M
Draught 1.16 M (Centreboard version 0.56 – 1.22 M
Displacement 1,300 Kilos approx


Links


Leisure 20

http://www.leisureowners.org.uk/site/contents/leisure20_new.shtml


Leisure 20 for Sale £3,850

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=201792


Leisure 20 for Sail £5,100

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/U01HTzAxLTM0NzJ+U01HTzAx=-LEISURE_20.html