U20 Questions

[Boca U20]

Hi, I'm in the market for a U20 and am actually looking at one of the boats for sale on this site.  The boat looks to be in great shape, I just want to be sure it will fit my needs.  This question is for anyone who has sailed their U20 in nearshore ocean conditions.  Is the boat suitable for this?  I'm talking maybe a couple miles offshore max in seas 2' - 3' or less.  I wouldn't be sailing to the Bahamas or anything but want to be sure I'm not making a mistake.  We get large boat wakes from passing sports fishing boats and the like and the power boaters around here are not very "rules of the road" savvy, if you get my drift.  So, if you have experience in these conditions, please share how the U20 behaves.  I'm guessing downwind it will be find, but wondering about the upwind situation.  Thanks for your help!

[Bob Abelin]

The U20 is fairly lightweight so it will get tossed around by large waves.  The deep bulb keel keeps the boat fairly stable, to a point.  I don't have any offshore experience on a U20, but the lake I sail on has a 30 mile fetch and can develop quite large rolling waves (in that 2-3' range).  One thing I've noticed is how dry the boat tends to be in waves.  The spray rails keep a lot of water from splashing onto the deck and it's a fairly comfortable ride upwind.  Is it the best choice for off-shore conditions?  Probably not, the boat has fairly low freeboard so once you exceed it's capabilities its going to get really wet really fast.  However, it can hold it's own against any other ~20 ish foot sport boat in most sea states.   

[Travis Gregory]

Agree with Bob.  The rail does a good job of knocking down splashes.  We sail on the Great Salt Lake and the water is "heavier."  You need to foot off a bit to keep momentum in the bigger chop, but it's doable.  Off the wind in these conditions is when the perma-grin starts. 

Can you elaborate more on your coastal sailing ambitions?

[Boca U20]

Thank you both for your information and experiences with the boat in those conditions.  My ambitions are mostly recreational in nature.  I would be day sailing along the east coast between ports.  Boca Raton, Hillsoboro, Fort Lauderdale.  Always in site of land and never on any days too sporty.  I'm coming from a powerboat background mostly with some experience sailing multi hulls like the Hobie 16.  Even in my center console, I try not to go out in anything 3' or more as it gets uncomfortable with the very short period waves we have around here and all the motor boat wakes coming from all directions.  I like the U20 because it is fast, stable, large cockpit, has a small cabin, looks like it would be easy to trailer and set up.  I"m just wondering if I will get beat up out there. 

[Travis Gregory]

There are likely U20 sailors in the same area that can better speak to the conditions you will be sailing in.  Check out the Yahoo group page as well for more previous post history.  It existed before the forum and goes back further.   You can find the link on the class website.

[David Krausz]

I sailed for several years in San Francisco Bay (high winds and occasional big chop) on a U20 and have sailed off shore on many other boats.  I would not take my U20 off shore racing except in flatter conditions. It is not very comfortable or fast in short period waves.  Going downwind in big breeze and in very steep waves/short period waves will lead to burying the bow (I have expensive experience in this on my U20, despite a thousand+ off-shore miles of down wind experience in other boats with no such problems). 
Since it doesn’t sound like you will be trying to push your boat to the limits in larger seas or breeze, it may be okay for your purposes.  It a super-fun boat and is surprisingly dry.

[Lighten Up 31]

Based on your user name and the reference to the Bahamas I am guessing you are in Boca Raton Fl? I have parents in Highland beach and have sailed Hobie 16's  and 18's from the beach there on and off since the late 70's. The seas can get a little rough there with the gulf stream and predominately onshore winds. I assume you would need to motor in an out of the intercoastal inlet to a lift. You will need a long shaft outboard for sure.

[Boca U20]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my question.  It has helped greatly in my decision-making process.  To answer your question, yes, I am located in Boca Raton.  Yes, indeed I would have to motor in and out the inlet.  The short period waves are quite common here.  I’m thinking the U20 is not the best boat for my locale.