Doug,
The Halman 20 is what I guess many would call a "pocket cruiser". It has a
good sized cabin for a 20 footer with nearly 5' of head room at the aft end
of the cabin. The cockpit is fairly small and cozy which could be a good
thing as it could take a wave into it without much danger of swamping or
de-stabilizing the boat. Similiar to the Nor-Sea 27, it's a double-ender
with a full keel and cut-away forefoot. The rudder is hung off the stern
and attached to the keel. The hull and deck are very strong with what one
person said "has the rigidity of a walnut shell". I bought mine a few years
ago in Bellingham, WA, and for a 1978 boat, was pleasantly surprised to find
no stress cracks in the gel coat of the entire deck and have yet to find any
flex underfoot on deck. I must say that it is a boat that I would feel
comfortable in on the ocean - even if a bit small for long offshore
passages. It draws 2' 10" with 1000 lbs of ballast and displaces 2500 lbs.
As for sailing characteristics I have been pleasantly surprised. I expected
it to be slower than my last boat - a cal 21 - and it is; however, this year
we took 2nd place overall in the triangle course races at our annual regatta
in which 17 boats participated including 3 san jaun 23's, a couple of
macgregor 26's, a tanzer 22, and various other craft. Of course the Halman
has a bit higher handicap factor than some of these others, but I have been
pleased by its ability to keep with other boats even in light air. A slight
drawback with the Halman is that it doesn't seem to be as good a windward
performer as some of these others. One reason for this is that it is a
fairly wide boat for its length (with shrouds attached to the outer hull)
and it has a fairly short J-measurement, so it is difficult to get a good
sheeting angle on the jib or genoa. I am presently contemplating adding a
short bowsprit which could help and which I believe the boat would handle
well without creating lee-helm. I also think the boat would make a great
cutter rig, but being so small I'm not sure if this is the way to go. I
think that keeping it a sloop rig with a forestay to the end of the bowprit,
and adding a detachable inner forestay from the mast head to the stem head,
would allow for a larger genoa or drifter to be run up from the bowsprit.
Then when the wind kicks up, the inner forestay could be attached with
smaller jibs to be hoisted after dropping the genny. I believe this would
improve the rig and could help with windward performance - as well as making
sail changes quicker by having another sail rigged and ready to hoist when
one is dropped.
But... the wife would like something with a little more room and preferrably
something she can stand up in. For myself, I love classic, seaworthy
designs and have long been an admirer of Lyle Hess boats. To any M-23
owners out there who may be looking for a new, appreciative and caring home
for your "baby". You can rest assured that she would be going to someone
who has spent their whole life on and around boats, knows what they are
getting, and can give her the care and attention she deserves. Well... no
harm in trying! I'll keep looking! And thanks to Bones for the encouraging
message. Great site you have here and thanks for your welcome.
Jeff
H-20 "North Wave"
M-23 (wannabe)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Kelch" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 2:19 AM
Subject: Re: M_Boats: New member
Jeff,
I have always admired the Halman 20. Could you give
us a summary of its sailing and cruising
characterisics?
Thanks
Doug
--- Chris and Jeff Packer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
Hello to all, I have just found the montgomery site
and signed up. I presently own a Halman 20' and
have been interested in moving up to a larger boat
with more room for wife and child. I have "fallen
for" the Montgomery 23 and am interest in buying or
trading up for one. It looks like I might be in for
a long search as it seems they are few and far
between. Anyone interested in the Halman 20' - or
could steer me in the right direction for a possible
purchase of a M-23 let me know. I'll be looking.
Jeff Packer
Marcus, WA
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