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We hear
from happy Harbor 20 owners nearly every day. Here are a few of the email
we have received.
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.
The first picture is from the tow: Entering
the gorge (the vertical wall of basalt off the port bow is called Cape
Horn).
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.
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 the helm (and that’s my dog sitting
next to him).
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
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