Alize 20 (Jeanneau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Alize 20 begins in 1963, when Jeanneau, then a burgeoning shipyard known for its powerboats, embarked on building its first sailing yacht. The Alize 20’s production spanned over a decade, from 1963 to 1975, with approximately 350 units built. This era saw Jeanneau, founded by Henri Jeanneau in 1957, rapidly embracing new technologies, particularly fiberglass, which replaced traditional wood in their manufacturing processes. The Alize 20, constructed with a solid fiberglass hull, exemplified this pioneering spirit.

Designer E. G. Van de Stadt, known for his efficient and often performance-oriented designs, crafted the Alize 20 with a "speedy hull design" in mind. A key feature of the Alize 20's design is its keel/centerboard configuration, incorporating a swing keel that provided both shallow draft capabilities for exploring coves and improved performance when lowered. The swing keel itself weighed 30 kg (66 lbs), complemented by 120 kg of internal ballast, contributing to the boat's overall stability despite its ultralight displacement of 992 lbs (450 kg). This design choice reflected a goal of creating a boat that was both capable and easy to handle for a broad range of sailors.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Jeanneau Alize 20, with its compact dimensions (19.85 feet LOA and 18.04 feet LWL) and fractional sloop rig, was designed to be a nimble and responsive vessel. Its lightweight build contributes to its character as an "ultralight sailboat which is a very high performer." Given its small size, traditional performance ratios are not typically applied for comprehensive analysis. However, anecdotal descriptions suggest that the Alize 20, owing to its Van de Stadt design, boasts a "speedy hull design," indicating a lively and engaging sailing experience. The centerboard keel system allows for a variable draft, ranging from a minimal 1.31 feet to a maximum of 3.94 feet, offering flexibility for navigating shallow waters or enhancing upwind performance.

Accommodations and Layout

As a compact cruiser, the interior of the Alize 20 is necessarily modest, designed to maximize functionality within its limited footprint. While specific detailed layouts are scarce in available information, the design brief for similar early Jeanneau models often aimed to provide "as much accommodation as feasible" for their size. Reviews note that the headroom is "below average," which is typical for a boat of this size and era. The interior would likely feature basic amenities for short overnight stays, such as V-berth forward, and simple seating or bunks in the main cabin. Given Jeanneau's consistent emphasis on "liveable boats" and clever layouts, even in their early models, the Alize 20 would have made efficient use of its interior volume for its intended purpose as a day sailer or weekender.