Design and Construction
Winner Yachts built the 12.20 as the flagship of a builder whose hulls used high-quality isophthalic resins to ward off osmotic blistering, and whose deck and hull were laminated together from the inside to form a rigid, leakproof junction. The 12.20 itself belongs to the van Tongeren partnership that ran from 1986 onward, sitting above the 11.20 of 1991 and the 10.10 of 2005 in the lineage rather than the later 9.00 of 2013. Her solid fiberglass hull and deck, lead ballast of 3.1 tonnes, and 41.89 percent ballast-displacement ratio give a settled, stiff cruiser character without the featherweight feel of smaller daysailers. The designer's attention to detail shows in small interior moves such as suede straps, touches that period reviewers read as evidence of a considered hand throughout.
Rig and Handling
The sailplan is powerful yet easily managed, with 86 square meters of canvas on a fractional sloop rig. Test sailors found her quick and well mannered in higher winds while still easily driven in light winds, a combination that lets the 12.20 feel racy without demanding a full crew. Her spade rudder and bulb keel at 7.05 feet draft, paired with the 34-foot waterline, support a lively cruising pace, and the effective, unfussy deck layout keeps maneuvering straightforward. The same simplicity that marks her looks extends to the working deck, where the powerful sailplan stays manageable without complex hardware.
Accommodations
Below, the 12.20 is unexpectedly opulent for a boat whose exterior promises restraint. The unfussy deck layout carries through to an interior where the designer's detailing — the suede straps among them — signals a step above utility grade. She blends family-cruiser comfort with seaworthy racing performance, and the 92-gallon water capacity alongside a diesel tank supports extended cruising for a couple or family. The beam of 12 feet 3 inches gives the accommodations a roominess that period reviews found surprising given the clean, understated topsides.
The Verdict
The Winner 12.20 is a very impressive yacht that earns her flagship status through a rare balance: a 40-foot cruiser with racing-yacht pace and a genuinely comfortable, well-detailed interior. She is quick and well mannered in stronger air yet easily driven in light air, and her construction discipline — inside-laminated deck-hull joint, blister-resistant resins, lead-ballasted solid hull — speaks to a boat meant for serious use. The drawbacks are those of her type: a 7-foot draft limits shallow anchoring, and the opulent finish expects careful ownership.
Pros
- Quick and well mannered in higher winds, easily driven in light air anchor
- Powerful yet easily managed sailplan on a 40-foot hull
- Unexpectedly opulent, well-detailed interior with designer touches
- Solid hull and inside-laminated deck joint with blister-resistant resins
Cons
- 2.15-meter draft restricts shallow-water cruising
- Opulent interior finish implies higher maintenance than bare utility boats
