Design and Construction
The KingFisher 20 has a solid-fiberglass hull and an iron twin-keel arrangement that allows the boat to take the beach upright. Its 1,100 pounds of iron ballast accounts for 42% of the boat’s 2,600-pound displacement—a ballast ratio higher than that of 69% of similar sailboat designs. The 42% ballast ratio sits higher than 69% of all similar sailboat designs.
The hull measures 20.58 feet LOA, with an 18.5-foot waterline and a 6.92-foot beam. Draft ranges from 2.33 to 2.63 feet, depending on load, allowing the boat to enter shallow marinas and dry out on a shelving shore.
The first six hulls, built in 1959, had molded-in glass-fiber keels. Series production began in 1962 and used cast-iron keels. Nierop designed the Westfield Kingfisher line from 1959 to 1978.
Rig and Handling
The KingFisher 20 carries a masthead sloop rig. Jib and genoa sheets are 6.3 meters long and 10 mm in diameter; the mainsheet is 15.7 meters long and 10 mm in diameter; and the spinnaker sheets are 13.8 meters long and 10 mm in diameter.
With 177 square feet of sail on a 2,600-pound hull, the boat has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 14.98 and a hull speed of 5.76 knots.
Known Issues and Ownership
The earliest 1959 hulls differ from the later production boats because they use molded glass-fiber keels rather than cast-iron twin keels.
Nierop retired in 1978. Moorstream Ltd., operating as Kingfisher Yachts, continued production into the early 1980s. The solid-glass hull and simple rigging keep upkeep focused on iron-keel vigilance and deck hardware.
The Verdict
The KingFisher 20 is a solid-glass, bilge-keeled dayboat with a high ballast ratio and an easy rig. It was built to explore shallow water and dry out ashore, though its compact dimensions limit accommodation.
Pros
- Twin iron keels allow beaching and access to shallow water
- Ballast ratio is higher than that of 69% of similar designs
- Solid-fiberglass hull simplifies ownership
Cons
- Early 1959 hulls differ in keel construction
- Compact dimensions limit accommodation
