Com-Pac Horizon Cat 20 Buyer's Guide
The Com-Pac Horizon Cat 20 carries on the catboat tradition in a compact pocket cruiser. With a beam of 8 feet 4 inches, a displacement of 2,500 pounds, and a gaff rig, this shoal-draft design delivers a stiff, forgiving ride for those who prefer to sail flat. The hull traces its lineage to the Herreshoff America, originally designed by Halsey Herreshoff and built by Nowak and Williams. When the Hutchins brothers of Com-Pac Yachts acquired the tooling, they added a shallow keel and centerboard and modified the deck and rig. A good day’s run is about 35 miles, and while no one will mistake it for a racer, one reviewer found that many sailors are surprised by how well it moves in a breeze.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Horizon Cat 20 has a straightforward interior. Below, there are two berths, and a forward compartment houses a porta potty. The main cabin includes a single counter for minimal galley duties, and the cockpit comfortably seats four adults. Because the hull form lacks overhangs, usable space is maximized for a boat of this length. Condition and care are what distinguish one used example from another.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Boom gallows are standard, holding the boom securely when the sail is lowered. Factory drawings show wheel steering. Among used Horizon Cats, an autopilot and a bimini are commonly fitted, making single- or short-handed daysailing more comfortable. A chartplotter and a dedicated short-handed setup—such as lines led aft—are often seen. Air conditioning is a less common owner upgrade, largely because the boat’s compact electrical system cannot accommodate large battery banks, generators, inverters, or refrigeration. The standard auxiliary is a 7 hp Yanmar diesel, and a single traditional reef in the mainsail keeps the rig manageable when the breeze pipes up.
What to Inspect
The centerboard is a key area to examine. Because the centerboard is located aft, which is intended to help keep this cat balanced, any wear in the pivot pin, pennant, or trunk can affect handling and should be carefully assessed. Equally important is the rudder; the rudder is a kick-up type, so confirm that the blade pivots freely, the hold-down line is in good condition, and the pintles and gudgeons show no slop or corrosion.
Com-Pac added a shallow keel and centerboard when redesigning the hull, which means a used boat may have touched bottom more than once. Look closely for gelcoat crazing, cracks, or repairs along the keel stub and around the centerboard trunk. The deck and rig were modified from the original Herreshoff America, so pay attention to the mast step, chainplates, and deck hardware for stress cracks or leaks that might indicate poorly sealed penetrations.
Boom gallows take the weight of the rig when the sail is down. Inspect the gallows for cracks, loose fasteners, or UV-damaged wood or composite components. Finally, verify that the board-up draft matches the designed 2 feet 2 inches and that the centerboard fully deploys to the board-down depth of 5 feet. A board that sticks or fails to drop completely may point to swollen materials or debris in the trunk.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The used market for the Horizon Cat 20 is concentrated in the United States and the country of Georgia. When evaluating a candidate, keep the following points in mind:
- Centerboard and rudder pivot integrity, pennant wear, and ease of operation
- Condition of the shallow keel and hull bottom for grounding damage
- Deck hardware and mast-step area for signs of water intrusion
- Boom gallows structure and attachment points
- Sail and gaff rig condition, especially the single reef cringle and associated hardware
- Engine service history and cooling system health on the Yanmar auxiliary
- Overall gelcoat and joinery finish, reflecting Com-Pac’s reputation for excellent detailing
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Com-Pac Horizon Cat 20. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 10 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $ 42,000 | — |
| Sep 25 | 4 | $ 38,450 | -8.5% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $ 26,500 | -31.1% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $ 34,900 | +31.7% |
| Jan 26 | 2 | $ 25,250 | -27.7% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $ 54,500 | +115.8% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $ 54,500 | 0.0% |
| May 26 | 3 | $ 19,500 | -64.2% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $ 19,000 | -2.6% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $ 19,400 | +2.1% |
Where they're listed
Com-Pac Horizon Cat 20 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 15 (93.8%), followed by Georgia.
Country view
16 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 34,900 | 15 | 5 | 93.8% |
| Georgia | $ 34,900 | 1 | 0 | 6.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reid Marine 20 | 20' | $ 13,806 | 18 | 5 |
| Horizon Horizon Cat 20You are here | — | $ 34,900 | 16 | 5 |