Leisure 20

[Sailing_Matt]

I am thinking of buying a Leisure 20 as I don't have much cash and its local. Has anybody sailed one of these and are they too small for offshore journeys?

Any advice would be appreciated. Of course if I buy it I will have to change my forum name.

Thanks.

 

[BobnLesley]

Wouldn't fancy setting out across the Atlantic in one, but certainly well up to crossing the channel with a decent weather forecast.

 

[Dyflin]

Leisure were/are a very strong brand, they have some impressive achievements under their belt. A few Leisure 17's have crossed the Irish Sea for example, but they're obviously not designed primarily for this. A L22 is currently doing a circumnavigation, so they have the ability.

Talk to the folks in the owners association;
http://www.leisureowners.org.uk/site/contents/home.shtml

 

[VicS]

I think you'll find the whole Leisure range is pretty good, although its has to be said not all by the same designer.

The owners association website is http://www.leisureowners.org.uk

You find info including original brochures on the site.

The leisure 17 was probably the best boat of its size ever and I believe they have been sailed across the Atlantic

 

[Moonshiners]

We just sold our L20, it was a bilge keeler, dunno about "offshore" I wouldn't have crossed the channel, but due more to do with shipping etc... but solent to Dart would be a nice long reach if you get my drift. Very seaworthy inshore for their size and cost. Ours was a little darling.

Often sailed like a shed, but it's a 20ft bilge keeler.

If your after a comfy day boat go for it, if you want to tweek you jib sheet, look at something else...
Either way good luck.

P.S we sold our very nice example with a mariner 8hp o/b 2 stroke circa £4500

 

[moody1]

The Leisure 20 is a good starter boat especially if expectations are sensible and modest. There are bigger boats available for similar money, the older Macwesters, Snapdragons etc., even sometimes the bigger Leisure 22.
The trick is to decide what you realistically want to do. As a first boat it's got to be local coastal hopping while you develop skills and "sea-legs". You ask "offshore" which is a bit adventurous for a first boat owner and small boat.
It's ok for others to say boat crossed Atlantic etc. but usually an experienced person and loads of preparation. Hubby and I worked up, OK he had experience going back to childhood on boats and ships, so there was advantage.
He always said : If you start to think that you may have made mistake or get worried - that's time to change and get to safe haven. As he said - often Heroes become Heroes by dieing in the act.

 

[danbhoy1888]

I have a Leisure 20 with an inboard diesel and the last owner sailed it about the West Coast of Scotland for the 25 years he owned it from the Clyde up to The Isle of Mull.The owner before that took it on a trailer to Italy and did some sailing in the Med. around Genoa, I have had it 2.5 years now and I cannot compete with them I just stick to The Clyde and I have found it to be a great stiff little cruiser easy to handle and surprisingly roomy for its size compared to other larger yachts.

 

[William_H]

If you are going for a boat in the 20ft range there can be some huge advantages in buying a boat with a trailer. (or that can be trailed)
I did that some 26 years ago and stuck with the same boat. It is adequate for camping on and ocean work (just) but the joys of being able to haul it out yourself and take it home or to another location for me preclude buying a bigger boat.

We ad a speaker at our club last week. He had towed his RL28 trailer sailer to Wyndham in the north of West Australia. ( a tow of about 3000Km.) He and his wife then sailed the boat around the coast south for about 1000km taking 3 months.
This is really deserted coastline with only one place enroute where the boat could have been hauled out. And then the roads would not be good enough to tow the boat out. There were just a few sights where you could meet people. (more crocodiles than people)
and really huge tides.
Anyway it showed that you can have real adventure in a trailer boat but also just enjoy sailing in a modest boat. You will find it pretty lively in any rough water and probably won't sail to windward so well in rough water.

good luck olewill

 

[Sailing_Matt]

Thanks for the replies, I have just made an offer on the boat so fingers crossed. As its my first boat I am not looking to go very far from home but need to know its going to be safe when in the sea and always have the possibility of going a bit further. I have my Day Skipper ticket so I have a little experience.