We hear from happy Harbor 20 owners nearly every day. Here are a few of the email we have received.

Email from Bill Menninger — Harbor 20 #113

Three-Time Winner of the Harbor 20 Class Championship Regatta

October 5, 2011

I have sailed offshore in many races to Hawaii and Mexico, but I especially enjoy one-design racing. Some of my favorite one-designs are the E22, J24, Melges 24, and 505. Unfortunately, the level of professionalism has risen in all of these, and the time commitment is immense.

I like the Harbor 20 because it is so easy to sail, it takes no time to prepare to go sailing, and I can sail with my wife, friends or kids. My wife Diane considers it “the perfect date night for summer sailing,” and she “loves that it encourages couples to sail together and enjoy our great harbor.” She is my #1 crew — the most important plus of the Harbor 20.

I really like the feel of the Harbor 20. It powers up pretty easily, and it responds like a dinghy to smooth movements of the crew to optimize your tacks and jibes, etc.

Read the rest of Bill’s letter here...

Email from George Moll, owner of Harbor 20 #315

July 19, 2011

Over the past 40 years, I've owned and sailed everything from dinghies to large offshore racers. In fact, I'm currently campaigning two high performance sportsboats. But when it comes to the pure joy of sailing, my new Harbor 20 takes top honors. Even young hot-shot racers who've sailed her are impressed by her performance and ease of use. I only wish I would have discovered the Harbor 20 decades ago.

Good Sailing,

George Moll
Skipper
Harbor 20 “MULLIGAN”
1D35 Turbo “MISFIT”
Open 570 “SONIC”

Email from Eric Graveline, owner of Harbor 20 #310

November 1, 2010

I took delivery of my new boat Friday and took it for a spin yesterday afternoon. 10 - 15 knots, clear skies, perfect temperature... and an amazing boat!

My wife and son were busy so I went out solo most of the afternoon. It felt very much like the first time I started sailing 30 years ago. A truly wonderful experience. Despite the size of the boat, I felt like I was sailing a dinghy. The boat is so responsive and incredibly well-balanced. I look forward to racing with it, once I get more familiar with everything.

I also wanted to let you know I was very happy with how Steve Schupak executed the delivery. Besides doing everything perfectly, it was a pleasure to get the boat from someone who obviously is a good sailor and who enjoys sharing his intimate knowledge of the boat.

Thanks again for everything. See you on the starting line!

Warm regards,

Eric
Harbor 20 #310

Email from Rankin Chapman, owner of Harbor 20 #260
To buyer Bill Jones
January 28, 2008

From Bill Jones –

I have been talking to Tom Schock about a used Harbor 20 that he has available. Since I am also in Dallas, he gave me your e-mail address. Tom said that you recently purchased a new H20 from him and I would like to hear your opinion of the boat. I haven’t sailed one, however, I do like the look and concept of the boat. It appears to be easily single handed and fun to sail. If you have the time, I would really appreciate your comments.

Thanks,
Bill Jones

Reply from Rankin Chapman –

I have had the boat in the water since September of last year. I wanted to put the boat in the water in the Austin area but couldn’t decide where. I wanted to use the boat and not have to drive 200 miles to do it so I now have it at Chandler’s Landing Marina on Lake Ray Hubbard. Supposedly there are other H20s on the lake but I haven’t seen them.

I pulled the boat home from LA over I10 and I 20 behind a V6 Toyota 4 Runner without a hitch. It is easy to trailer. The Pacific Trailer is of very high quality. The third wheel (spare) makes launching on a ramp easy. The trailer has to be almost under water to float the boat. Using a tow strap and the third wheel allowed me to keep the car out of the water.

I like the boat. It is really easy to sail. It gets a little tricky with a lot of wind since it carries quite a bit of sail. I should probably put in the single reef but haven’t used it so far. When the wind gets up the lake gets choppy and you will get wet from the spray over the bow. That will feel pretty good when it’s 100 outside but during the cool season it can be a little cold.

I like the Hoyt jib. It eliminates having to reset the jib when tacking and is easy to trim. You or your guests (wife) won’t have to do anything while they are aboard unless they want to. I am still playing around with fine tuning the jib. The twist is still not what I want yet. The sails plan has all the controls you will need.

The boat really goes well. I don’t have a speedometer but when moving well it looks like we are going at a very fast walk or low trot. I am guessing about 6 mph. I am pleased with its performance. It doesn’t take a lot of wind to make reasonable speed.

I got the anti fouling paint on the bottom. I’m not sure I would do that again since I will never be in salt water. The boat is prettier without it.

I have the electric motor. It makes leaving the marina a piece of cake. It moves the boat fairly fast but doesn’t have a lot of power against waves. It is sufficient though and I am happy with it. A word of warning: Using the motor is tricky until you get some way on. It doesn’t go where you think it will or intend until the rudder becomes effective. I turned my motor on its mount so that it is toed in slightly rather than exactly along the fore and aft axis of the boat. This makes the boat tend to turn slightly to port until the rudder works. It isn’t turned so much that it affects the straight ahead effectiveness. I opted for the electric motor since, in my opinion, an outboard motor is ugly. For me, the electric motor does what I want it to do, get me in and out of the marina and home when the wind quits. I was used to a transom mounted rudder and I had to get used to the spade rudder. With a transom mounted rudder you can muscle the boat around a little, not so with the balanced spade rudder.

The boat is easy to rig but is not something that I want to do a lot. Don’t let Steve’s rigging video fool you. That mast is heavy. Either that or I am a weakling. Plan on having some help available to get it up. You will need a second person anyway to put the pin in the forestay. Another word of caution: Do not allow the jib furling foil to sag while either in transit or stored. I left mine on the mast on the trailer too long and it developed a kink in it. I am going to see if it will fix itself next summer when the temperature gets up. Otherwise I may have to buy a replacement foil for $200+.

The cushions are very comfortable and appear to be quite durable.

I have both the electric and manual bilge pumps. I leave the automatic electric pump on all the time so I don’t have to worry about any water that gets in due to rain.

Speaking of rain, I don’t like the way the boat cover attaches to the boat. A rope is used to encircle the perimeter of the cover and uses 3 “clips” on each side to hold it down. That arrangement doesn’t allow tensioning of the cover athwart ship very well and isn’t very easy to put on. I sometimes get a pool of water in one side of the cover that I have to dump manually. I believe that wind during storms causes the windward side of the cover to cave in creating the pool. I am looking into some other way of attaching the cover to the sides of the boat that will allow me to put more tension over the boom to keep from getting the pool. The cover and jib sock are well made and other than the attachment method I am happy with them.

My wife, not being a sailor, was a little apprehensive when we first went out. After a few sailing adventures she is now relatively comfortable that she isn’t going to drown by my hand. She does still on occasion ask if she should put on her PFD though in a stiff breeze when the boat heels.

If you have more questions, send me another email. If you buy the boat I don’t think you will go wrong. Of course I am biased but so what. The boat is what I wanted. It just didn’t make any sense to me to have a larger cabin type boat on the lakes around here. I would probably never overnight on one. That style boat does offer protection from rain and sun and a head usually. The ladies appreciate that. Good luck.

Rankin

Tom Schock’s suggestion to Rankin regarding the cover –

When I put the cover on, I start at the stern. I make sure that when I loop the line over the stern cleat the cover is very close to the cleat. Then I roll it down the boom and make it fast at the bow. Then I put in the side clips. This makes it really tight.

Email from Jim Crosby
Owner of Harbor 20 #145
December 4, 2007

I bought Boat No. 145 from Steve Dechant in March 2006 (it was named "Blue Chip"). As a matter of fact, we met last year at your factory. I was purchasing some solar panels and associated gear for the boat. The boat is at a side-tie slip at Harbor Island in San Diego, and I sail in the bay very frequently. I love the boat. It is fast and agile, and set up quite nicely to sail myself. Sailing it in 12 - 15 knots is great fun. I can also slip away from the office and be on the water in about 40 minutes. An occasional two-hour afternoon sail during the week is quite doable. I also sail about every other weekend year round. It has been a very good purchase for me. Thanks for the e-mail.

Follow up email from Jim Crosby
Owner of Harbor 20 #145
December 13, 2007

Following up on my comments this morning. I wanted you to know that I looked for quite some time for a boat that was simply-rigged and easy to sail, but still fast and, for lack of a better term, “racey”. I also wanted a boat that didn’t require a major undertaking to get away from the dock and sail. I like being on the water and sailing, not fooling with rigging, gear and engines, and certainly not extensive post-sail clean-up. I looked at a lot of different makes and models before coming to this boat. I was impressed by your promotional materials as it appeared that you were making and selling just the type of boat I was looking for. And your company’s background indicated that you knew what you were selling, if that makes sense. I bought used as opposed to new because I have kids in college and a lot of other financial obligations. I also have another boat (a ski boat) to maintain.

Truly, the boat has turned out to be just what I was looking for.

Jim
Jim Crosby


Letter from Joe Highsmith, crew on Harbor 20 #223

and J-105 owner, Hilton Head Island
November 8, 2007

To all of my Savannah Brethren,

A few words from a disinterested party. Let me say first that I am not necessarily advocating H20’s for your situation, but as I do sail on them with some frequency you may be interested in hearing a bit about our experience here on HH.

First off, let me say that at the outset I viewed the H20, much as Bill, as a bit of a snore. However, the reality is that the fleet here has built to eight and, more importantly, those boats get out every Wednesday night year round. The racing is simplicity itself. One of goes out a few minutes early and sets the marks right off of the Windmill entrance, one boat blows the horn for the start, we get in six or seven W/L’s in the space of an hour and a half and head to the bar to argue. What makes this work is an extreme lack of complication. Walk down to the boat. Drop the electric trolling motor over the side. Motor out a short distance. Race. Go back in.

Would I rather be sailing a Melges? You bet I would. But for a Wednesday night with guys who have busy lives and are way out of their twenties it is just not practical. Keep in mind that you could be sailing bath tubs and still enjoy beating each other, as long as the tubs are the same.

Keep it simple. Choose something requiring a minimum amount of time and effort for setup and breakdown, and you’ll have a boat that people will actually show up and use. It has worked here with great success.

Best regards,

JFH


Article from Scuttlebutt
Written by Paul Henderson
October 24, 2007

What a great weekend I had racing in a Harbor 20 at Hilton Head. It is a superbly designed club racer focusing totally on talent, not technology. Technology has priced our sport out of all reality, and with the time required to keep the gear in shape and learn how to pull the strings, it has tilted the sport towards the domination of Pros.

Tom Webster calls it: "A Star with cushions." The electric motor stolen from an anglers trolling unit is brilliant. You must sit inside the cockpit with all the strings easily accessible. There are no trapezes or droop hiking or lifelines to hang over like uncomfortable pigeons. It is a race for everyone to enjoy. There was a 14 year old skipper plus many over the age of 70 with several women telling the old men where to go. It was very competitive fleet

If competitive club sailing is going to revitalize itself, than these concepts, which are fun to sail for all abilities, is the future. It is a little wet, but if you are worried about getting wet, take up golf. Well done Bill Schock and thanks to Hilton Head for inviting me as it was good to have a reunion with some of the volunteers who ran the Savannah 1996 Olympic Regatta.

Paul Henderson

 

Email to Tony Widmann of Proper Yachts
From Robert Aske, owner of Harbor 20 #259
August 13, 2007

Tony –

We have had many sails on H20 #259 and it has been perfect in all the ways I had hoped. See attached pic of my 10 year old in unorthodox H20 "hiking" position (need to keep them entertained).

The tender operator at our club said to me yesterday that he noticed I get out on the boat a lot and had also noticed how soon I am sailing after getting on board. Need I say more?

I copy Sam - who I hope is also having some good sails this year at his new island home.

Hope the H20 is discovered by many more.

Cheers.

Rob




Email from Gary Gleason
South Carolina dealer & owner of Harbor 20 #
Written in response to questions from a prospective buyer who now owns #265
July 11, 2007

Question: Tom Schock gave me your email address and said that you wouldn’t mind me asking you about your Harbor 20. I am considering ordering a new boat but have had some concerns about a couple of comments that the boat was “wet”…that it tended to bury the bow in a chop. What has been your experience? Cross Lake, where I sail, is not all that large but is open and can develop a pretty good chop during the prime fall and spring sailing times. I am considering the splash board option. Do you think it is necessary? Thanks for your thoughts and any other comments you think might help me in my decision.

Answer from Gary:

Well it is a twenty foot boat. Gleason's rule: 20 foot boats are to be sailed in winds less than 20 knots!!

Although we have sailed and raced them in 25-30 knots of wind,they are little wet. During the summer when the water is 90 degrees it is no big deal (and kind of refreshing) but during the winter it is not nice.

No one here out of 10 boats has the spray shield ? Board. I think they are ugly.

The boat likes the weight slightly aft for best speed, but I don't believe the boat has ever burried the bow even when running downwind at 9 knots (my record!!)

ALL the owners here agree this is the boat they should have bought YEARS AGO. And we have owners that have sailed and WON races all over the world. Some of the boats they have owned are Hinkley 42 SW, Wally Yacht 70', Peterson 43's, J-35's, J105's, Solings, and many more.

ALL the owners agree this boat gives the most enjoyment. And most of these guys are worth multi-millions so they could buy anything!

Give me a call some evening if you like.

Gary Gleason
www.hiltonheadsailing.org


Email from Dorn Swigert
Harbor 20 #242
July 20, 2006

Attached are a few pictures of the yellow Harbor 20, a.k.a. “Golly Coyle.” A couple of weeks ago we towed it and my cousin’s Etchel from Portland, up river about 27 miles to a place called Prindle. My cousin’s family has an estate on the Washington shore there, and I was encouraged by them to bring Golly up for the summer.

towing

The first picture is from the tow: Entering the gorge (the vertical wall of basalt off the port bow is called Cape Horn).

at the dock

At first I thought I’d keep the boat at the dock.

But while there are rubber rub strips on the dock, it’s an unforgiving concrete monster, and I realized that a summer of docking it (river current and wind make it very tricky; the somewhat unresponsive gear/throttle control only adds to the difficulty) was going to yield some gelcoat scars. So we put it out on one of the many hooks along the shore, and I just motor out to it in a small inflatable.

on mooring

Oregon side in the background.

The boat is a sweet sailing craft. Yesterday I took a neighbor and friend, a boy of 17 whose only previous experience on a sailboat was purely as a passenger, and basically taught him how to sail. He’s a quick study, no doubt, but the boat is superb for giving a new sailor the feel of things. Needless to say, he loves it. It should probably come as no surprise that he likes sailing close-hauled the best (more excitement!).

Sam at helm

Sam at the helm (and that’s my dog sitting next to him).
 


 wing and wing

Sam and I running wing-on-wing up the gorge.

Last Sunday the wind was up and I had a chance to sail with a reefed main. Easy to rig, it made the conditions much more manageable. This is a great feature.

If you ever have plans to be in the Portland area, look me up. It’d be a pleasure to have you out for a sail. I know I could learn about this boat in an afternoon with you what it would otherwise take years to figure out by trial-and-error.

Thanks again,

Dorn Swigert