The boat was intended from the outset for both restricted canals and open coastal waters. The owners’ association describes it as a superbly balanced, four-berth family cruiser that can be sailed comfortably and safely just about anywhere.
Design and Construction
The Leisure 20 has a modern style for its era, combining a German-drafted hull with a British-designed deck. It measures just under 20 feet overall, with an 18-foot-3-inch waterline and a 7-foot-6-inch beam. That long waterline and generous beam contribute to both its interior volume and its balance under sail.
Buyers could choose fin, twin-keel, or centreboard configurations. The fin and twin keels are cast iron. The twin keels have a high aspect ratio hydrofoil section that provides grip at shallow draft, while the centreboard version carries a galvanised mild steel plate inside a cast iron stub tube.
The rudder and skeg are moulded in GRP, with a steel framework and stainless steel fittings. A teak rubbing strake was standard, along with moulded non-slip deck areas intended to help keep the crew safe on deck. Two large coach-roof windows on each side, together with a translucent fore-hatch, bring plenty of light into the cabin.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig uses aluminium-alloy spars. These were originally gold anodised; later boats had black or silver spars, so spar colour can indicate a boat’s build era. The standard mast is 24 feet long, while an optional 26-foot lake rig broadens the choice of sail plan. All standing rigging and rigging screws are stainless steel, and the halyards run internally.
Under sail, the Leisure 20 is extremely stable, vice-free, and fast, with good performance in all conditions. Its long waterline and generous beam underpin that balance. Although its shallow-draft twin-keel layout suits inshore pottering, it also invites serious offshore passage-making.
A five-to-seven-horsepower outboard moves the boat happily and economically. Under power, it remains very manoeuvrable both ahead and astern.
A twin-keel outboard model has a Portsmouth Yardstick of 1342 and a Byron Club Number of 1198. Apart from the Leisure 17, however, boats from the marque are seldom raced.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The Leisure 20’s deep, wide cockpit includes an outboard motor well in the stern. Its cover doubles as an extra seat or a table.
For a 20-footer, the cabin is surprisingly roomy. It is finished in teak timbers and veneers, with four sensibly sized cushioned berths and ample stowage. Headroom is 5 feet 4 inches. A full galley with cooker and sink sits to starboard, while the large coach-roof windows and translucent fore-hatch make the interior particularly light and airy for its size.
Refits and Ownership
For owners, the Leisure 20 is a straightforward trailer-sailer with a choice of keel arrangements and rigs. Its multiple keel options allow it to work across a broad range of waters, from canals and shallow inshore areas to open coastal waters and offshore passages.
The boat’s settled, predictable hull rewards careful upkeep of its keel metal. Spar colour can help identify the build era: early spars were gold anodised, while later examples were black or silver.
The Verdict
The Leisure 20 is a compact and genuinely versatile cruiser. Its long waterline and generous beam produce a balanced, roomy four-berth hull and a teak-trimmed interior that sleeps four without feeling cramped. It also offers safe handling under sail or outboard power.
Its trailerable nature, three keel options, standard and lake rigs, and suitability for both constrained inland waterways and more open waters give it an unusually broad operating range for a small cruiser.
Pros
- Long waterline and generous beam create a balanced, roomy four-berth hull
- Twin keels with a high aspect ratio hydrofoil section combine shallow draft with offshore stability
- Three keel configurations and two mast options broaden its range of use
- Deep, wide cockpit with a motor-well cover that doubles as a seat or table
- Light, airy cabin with teak finishes, ample stowage, and a full galley to starboard
- Manoeuvrable ahead and astern under economical five-to-seven-horsepower outboard power
- Trailerable and suited to both inland waterways and open coastal sailing
Cons
- Cabin headroom of 5 feet 4 inches limits comfort for taller crew below
- The marque is seldom raced, so one-design performance data is limited beyond the yardstick numbers
- Keel metal calls for careful upkeep
