The Grampian Triangle 20 stands as a significant, albeit compact, example of early fiberglass sailboat design, embodying the burgeoning concept of "trailer sailing" in the early 1960s. Designed by the American naval architect Charles Angle and built by the Canadian pioneer Grampian Marine, this 20-foot monohull was conceived as an accessible and versatile vessel. It was marketed as an ideal choice for weekend cruising, day sailing, or even club racing, designed to offer straightforward enjoyment on the water combined with the convenience of road transport.
Triangle 20 Information, Review, Specs
- Make
- Model
- Number Built
- 75
- Production Year(s)
- 1961 - 1963
History and Design
The Triangle 20 entered production in 1961, with Grampian Marine building approximately 75 units before production concluded in 1963. Designer Charles Angle was a keen proponent of trailer sailing and had previously explored this concept with his AMPHIBI-CON design. The Triangle 20, in many ways, represented a scaled-down evolution of Angle's earlier work, intended to be even more manageable and easier to tow behind the passenger cars prevalent at the time.
Grampian Marine, founded in 1962 in Oakville, Ontario, played a crucial role in bringing the Triangle 20 to market. As one of Canada's first manufacturers of fiberglass sailboats, Grampian quickly established a reputation for producing sturdy, practical, and value-oriented vessels. Their expertise in early fiberglass construction techniques, gained partly from collaborations with leading US builders like Dyer Yachts, made them a suitable partner for Angle's innovative trailerable cruiser.
Sailing Performance and Handling
With a length overall of 20.5 feet and a waterline length of 16.67 feet, the Triangle 20 was designed for accessible sailing. Its fractional sloop rig, combined with a centerboard keel, allowed for both respectable performance and the shallow draft necessary for beaching and trailering. The boat's design as a cruiser, coupled with its trailerable nature, suggests a focus on easy handling and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of sailors from beginners to those seeking a simple, reliable day sailor or weekend cruiser. Its light displacement of 2300 lbs further contributes to its ease of transport and potentially lively performance in moderate conditions.
Accommodations and Layout
While detailed interior specifications for the Triangle 20 are limited in available records, its design as a small cruiser implies a functional, albeit compact, living space. Given its length, the interior would typically feature a basic cuddy cabin arrangement. This would likely include a V-berth forward, providing sleeping accommodations for two, and potentially a simple area for a portable head or minimal galley facilities for basic day or weekend trips. The emphasis would have been on maximizing usable space within its modest hull dimensions, consistent with its purpose as an accessible and practical trailerable sailboat.
Measurements
Construction & Hull
- Construction Material
- Fiberglass (Solid)
- Hull Type
- Monohull Sailboat
- Keel Type
- Centerboard
- Rudder
- 1x —
- Ballast
- -
- Displacement
- 2300 lbs
- Water Capacity
- -
- Fuel Capacity
- -
Engine
- Engine Make
- —
- Engine Model
- —
- Engine Type
- —
- Engine HP
- —
- Engine Count
- 1
- Drive Type
- —
- Fuel Type
- —
Rig & Sails
- Rig Type
- Fractional Sloop
- P (Main Luff)
- -
- E (Main Foot)
- -
- I (Foretriangle Height)
- -
- J (Foretriangle Base)
- -
- Forestay Length (est)
- -
- Main Sail Area
- -
- Foretriangle Sail Area
- -
- Total Sail Area (Reported)
- 205 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Calc)
- -
Dimensions
- LOA
- 20.5 ft
- LWL
- 16.67 ft
- Beam
- 7.08 ft
- Draft
- 4.75 ft
- Max Headroom
- -
- Air Draft
- -
Calculations
- Hull Speed
- 5.47 kn
- Pounds per Inch Immersion
- 421.71