Astus 20.5 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Every 20.5 shares the same fundamental plan: a narrow central hull with a seat either side below, stowage beneath and to either side of the companionway, and space for a chemical toilet under the aft berth. Above the deck, trampolines each side provide a vast amount of sitting and lounging space and can take a tent for more sleeping room. Two factory personalities exist — a leisure model for gentle family sailing and a sports version with a vacuum-system central hull and square-top mainsail — but both keep the same mast height, so a used boat's version is told by hull construction and sail shape more than by cabin differences. The interior finish is simple and uncomplicated, largely to save weight, which carries through to a slightly stark impression below.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Factory equipment centered on Harken hardware and Séldén spars, with an outboard transmission rated for 2.5–5 hp (maximum 4.5 kW / 6 HP). The source material names no commonly fitted, often seen, or sometimes-fitted owner upgrades at the tier level, so equipment on used boats should be judged against the standard specification rather than expected aftermarket norms. Optional carbon or wing masts were offered, and the sport version's square-top mainsail is the principal sail-plan distinction to verify when comparing listings.

What to Inspect

The documented record of faults is narrow. One editorial review noted the rigging process could be simplified, which is a handling critique rather than a structural defect, and separately described the interior finish as slightly stark. No flooding paths, drainage failures, or quantified construction defects appear in the sources, so a buyer's inspection should focus on the retractable float mechanism — aluminium beams sliding in and out of fixed beams on the main hull — and confirmation that the folded width remains at 2.48 m, lower than the road gauge, for legal trailing. Verify the centreboard offset to port and the EC homologation plate (Category C for 5 persons / 425 kg, Category D for 7 / 550 kg) as built references.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

These boats typically appear in the Virgin Islands, British; Netherlands; and Austria. For a used-buyer's short checklist: confirm infusion versus solid-laminate hull weight (under 500 kg with infusion), check the float-slide beams for wear, match the sail plan to the claimed standard or sport version, and expect a minimal interior rather than a refit-ready cabin. The 20.5 rewards the sailor who values trailability and speed over below-decks comfort.