Design and Construction
The Halman 20 emerged as a derivative of the Nordica 20 but was executed with fresh molds rather than borrowed ones [ [anchor anchor 1, a meaningful distinction for anyone tracing the lineage of these compact Canadian cruisers. Halman Manufacturing built the boat in Beamsville, Ontario, starting in 1977 anchor, and the construction is fiberglass with wood trim throughout. The hull is solid fiberglass with a solid deck, and the long-keel configuration is fixed rather than retractable. Steve Henkel observed that the doghouse is raised a bit more than on the Nordica 20, giving an extra six inches of headroom on the Halman anchor, and the beamy hull gives good space below. At 2.83 feet draft with the standard keel, the boat remains trailerable while preserving the directional stability of a full-length keel.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig sets a total sail area of 179 square feet across a 90-square-foot mainsail and an 89-square-foot jib, with a 26.5-foot foretriangle height on a 6.7-foot base. A small 3 to 6 horsepower outboard mounted on the transom is the normal auxiliary for docking and maneuvering. On the water, the design carries a PHRF racing average handicap of 276 and a theoretical hull speed of 5.4 knots. Henkel's comparison with the heavier, narrower Corinthian 20 suggests the Halman can be expected to be slower, especially in light air, due to higher wetted surface anchor, and neither the Halman nor the Nordica can match the sailing performance of the centerboard Quickstep 21, which benefits from a two-foot longer waterline, larger sail plan, and deeper draft with board down.
Accommodations
Below, the Halman 20 sleeps four: a double V-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settee berths in the main saloon, with the galley positioned to starboard just aft of the forward cabin. Cabin headroom is listed at 60 inches, and Michael McGoldrick describes the interior as remarkably roomy for a 20-footer, though some of that volume was achieved at the expense of a smaller cockpit anchor. The beamy hull gives good space below, making the boat unusual among sub-20-foot designs for genuine cabin livability.
Equipment and Outfitting
Unlike many boats under 20 feet in length, the Halman will generally come well equipped with lifelines, winches, and other gear anchor, a reflection of its cruising orientation rather than bare-bones daysailing roots. The standard auxiliary is an outboard rather than an inboard, simplifying the machinery space and keeping the 2,500-pound displacement free of engine weight low in the hull.
The Verdict
The Halman 20 is a thoughtfully evolved trailerable cruiser whose raised doghouse and beamy hull deliver standing headroom and four-berth accommodation that punch above the 19-foot-7-inch length. Its long keel and transom rudder suit sheltered-water cruising and trailerable ownership, while the outboard powerplant keeps systems simple. The trade-offs are real: a smaller cockpit than some peers, and a light-air speed deficit against narrower, heavier competitors and longer-waterline centerboarders.
Pros
- Raised doghouse yields six extra inches of headroom over the Nordica 20 predecessor
- Beamy 7.75-foot hull creates genuinely roomy belowdeck space for four
- Normally delivered with lifelines, winches, and cruising gear as standard
- Simple outboard auxiliary and solid fiberglass construction ease ownership
Cons
- Higher wetted surface makes her slower than the Corinthian 20 in light air
- Cannot match the Quickstep 21's performance with board down
- Cabin room was gained at the cost of a reduced cockpit size
