Design and Construction
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass with an inner shell, built by the hand lay-up method, and the standard hull color was white, with yellow or green available on request. Foam filling around the mast base and in the running surfaces adds local structure without a cored laminate. The lifting roof itself is the boat's defining construction: it is secured with hooks from the inside when lowered, and its plastic edge is pulled so tightly onto the deck that waves cannot find their way inside. When raised, the roof is locked in place with two brackets from outside — a job best done by two people — and the patented mechanism has remained unchanged across the production run.
Rig and Handling
The Neptun 20 carries a masthead sloop rig that offers few trimming options; the only adjustability comes from movable hoist points for the foresheet, and a mainsheet traveler was a factory option rather than standard equipment. The centreboard is raised in front of the bridge deck with a line pull and secured with a curry cleat. Under way the boat sails like a comfortable dinghy — unproblematic and relatively agile in manoeuvres — and it can absorb gusts of 5 to 6 Beaufort without immediately laying over. Light to weak breeze sees her manage just under 4 knots through the water under spinnaker, while downwind under main and genoa the GPS reads 3.7 knots. Running upwind is not a strength, and the compass shows a tacking angle of 120 degrees. With a low lateral plan she does not like short, steep waves, and in those conditions spray quickly enters the self-draining cockpit via the flat superstructure.
Accommodations
The lifting roof is the key to the interior, giving almost standing height below when raised and about 1.40 metres between floorboard and cabin ceiling when it is not. YACHT's used-boat test described the roof as reminiscent of the cult VW T1 bus, and the extra volume it creates makes the Neptun 20 feel roomy for its length. Unlike the Neptun 22, the 20 is built exclusively with two longitudinal berths and no dinette. Those berths run 210 centimetres long and 68 centimetres wide, narrowing to 60 centimetres at the bulkhead, while the forward berth tapers at the feet to only 180 centimetres long amidships and about 160 centimetres wide at shoulder height — a compromise the test flagged as quite short. The cockpit is another strong point: it holds two to four crew on 1.79-metre thwarts, with coamings higher than on many current 32-footers, plus spacious lockers. Below, equipment stows in swallow's nests along the side wall and in 90-by-37-centimetre compartments within each berth, and a swivelling saloon and cockpit table rounds out the layout. Original upholstery and wall panelling were orange and brown.
Known Issues
Prospective buyers should pay attention to the lifting roof scissors, the back box covers, and the window seals when viewing a boat, along with the centreboard itself.
The Verdict
The Neptun 20 is a good-natured, trailerable entry-level boat equally at home on shallow inland water and coastal day sails, and its lifting roof delivers a degree of headroom and cabin volume that few 20-footers can match. The simple rig and forgiving handling make her an easy boat to learn on, while the centreboard and modest 900 kg weight keep launching and storage straightforward. The weaknesses are inherent to the concept: upwind performance is poor, the boat sits low and dislikes choppy short waves, and the forward berth is cramped for anyone tall.
Pros
- Patented lifting roof gives almost standing height and unmistakable character
- Trailerable centreboard with variable 0.50–1.00 m draught for shallow water
- Agile, good-natured handling and tolerance of fresh gusts
- Long longitudinal berths and a deep, secure cockpit with lockers
Cons
- Poor upwind ability with a 120-degree tacking angle
- Low freeboard and uncomfortable in short, steep waves
- Forward berth only 180 cm long amidships
- Sparse rig trim options; traveler was a paid option
