At 20 feet overall, the Chrysler 20 is a light-displacement recreational keelboat whose displacement-length ratio places her among the “light racers.” She also remains a practical pocket cruiser, with sleeping room for four.
Design and Construction
The Chrysler 20 has an 18-foot waterline, a 7.08-foot beam, and a displacement of roughly 2,200 pounds. Chrysler Marine built the boat predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim; the hull uses solid fiberglass construction.
Period assessments of the build were favorable. In a 2010 review, Steve Henkel described the Chrysler 20 as nicely constructed, with good finish, a smooth fiberglass cabin liner, and quality hardware such as Harken blocks.
The hull has a raked stem and a nearly plumb transom. A stub keel and swing keel—the latter a pivoting lifting keel—allow the boat to sail in both coastal and inland waters. With the board up, draft ranges from about 1.94 to 2.24 feet, depending on load. That shallow draft lets her tuck into shallow marinas, while her trailerable dimensions allow ground transport.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Chrysler 20 carries a masthead sloop rig. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.25 marks her as a reasonably lively performer for her size, while her theoretical hull speed is 5.7 knots. Wetted-surface area is about 172 square feet.
The boat’s PHRF racing average handicap is 264. Two active class clubs—the Chrysler Sailing Association and the Chrysler Sailors—organize racing events for the design.
Running-rigging requirements are modest. The jib and genoa sheets are 20 feet long and 5/16 inch in diameter. The mainsheet is 50 feet at the same diameter, while the spinnaker sheet is 44 feet.
The Chrysler 20 has a capsize screening value of 2.18, which means she would not be accepted for ocean races. Her Motion Comfort Ratio is 13.4, and her immersion rate is about 444 pounds per inch.
Accommodations
Below, the Chrysler 20 sleeps four. A double V-berth fills the bow cabin, while the main cabin has two settee-style quarter berths. The optional portable head stows beneath the bow V-berth, keeping the layout simple for a trailerable weekender.
Known Issues
In his 2010 review, Steve Henkel identified the inboard pivoting rudder as the boat’s least attractive feature. He noted that this type of rudder is rarely used because it is complicated and therefore difficult to repair. Its leading edge is also prone to collecting weeds and plastic bags. Henkel argued that a flip-up outboard rudder mounted on the transom would have been a better choice.
Verdict
The Chrysler 20 is a thoughtfully engineered small trailerable that punches above her length as a light racer and club racer. Her lifting swing keel suits shallow-water exploration, and the clean, well-finished interior provides sleeping space for four. The chief drawback is the unusual inboard pivoting rudder, which trades repair simplicity for a tidy underwater profile.
Pros
- Light and trailerable, with shallow draft and a pivoting swing keel for coastal and inland use
- Well-finished fiberglass construction and quality hardware, according to a period review
- Sleeps four in a bow V-berth and two quarter berths
- Optional portable head
- Active class clubs and a PHRF handicap that support club racing
Cons
- Inboard pivoting rudder is complicated to repair and prone to collecting weeds and debris
- Capsize screening value excludes the boat from ocean racing
