Neptun 20 : The Bulli for inland and buten in the used boat test
Kristina Müller
· 28.03.2024
Cosy below deck
The neptun 20 in detail, yacht rating of the neptun 20.
The question "Does the roof come from a VW bus?" is one that Neptun 20 sailors know well. Because the lifting roof of the small cruiser is definitely reminiscent of the cult T1 van - and of camping on the water. Some of the 1900 boats built between 1973 and 1982 have lost their 1970s look over time: the hull was white as standard, with yellow or green also available on request; below deck, orange and brown were the order of the day for upholstery and wall panelling. The test boat from 1973, however, comes in more timeless colours and equipment details. The hull is blue, and the outboard motor no longer sits in the shaft as intended by the shipyard, but hangs at the stern. The windows have also been replaced.
However, the patented lifting roof design remains unchanged and is still the unmistakable trademark of the Neptun 20 and the shipyard's larger models, even though the patent has long since expired. The design was inspired by Neptun's best-selling yacht, the N22, which, according to junior shipyard manager Pascal Ernst, has been built over 8,000 times to date.
Their sales figures fell when the N20 arrived - a slightly cheaper competitor for the top model in their own house. As a result, the mould of its little sister was cut up and production was discontinued. However, the shipyard, which operated under the name Neptun Boote GmbH until 1981, lives on. Today it is based in Rheda-Wiedenbrück in North Rhine-Westphalia and offers refits and new builds of the larger models at the customer's request. Ernst's grandfather, who took over the company in 1983 shortly before it went bankrupt, is also still in the business.
Most read articles
Neptun 20 is good-natured under sail
A light to weak breeze is blowing on the Weser near Bremerhaven - conditions in which the Neptun 20 doesn't really get going, but still manages a speed of just under 4 knots through the water under spinnaker. Downwind under main and genoa, the GPS shows 3.7 knots and the compass indicates a tacking angle of a whopping 120 degrees. Running upwind is definitely not a strength of the small centreboard, but it can cope with gusts of 5 to 6 Beaufort without immediately lying on its side.
The top-rigged rig offers few trimming options, there are only adjustable hoist points for the foresheet and at least a mainsheet traveller, which was on the options list for new boats. It is therefore difficult to go wrong. The Neptun 20 sails a bit like a comfortable dinghy: unproblematic, relatively agile in manoeuvres. In waves, however, spray quickly enters the self-draining cockpit via the flat superstructure. This is when the low lateral plan becomes noticeable: The boat does not like short, steep waves.
Possible weak points of the Neptun 20
When viewing the vehicle, prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the lifting roof scissors, the back box covers, the window seals and the centreboard. Details can be found next to the photos.
There is room for two to four crew members in the spacious, well-organised cockpit. You can stretch out and lean back on the 1.79 metre long thwarts; the coamings are higher than on many current 32-foot boats. The centreboard is raised in front of the bridge deck using a line pull and secured with a curry cleat.
Unlike the Neptun 22, the N20 is designed exclusively as a version with two longitudinal berths; there is no dinette here. The berths are each 210 centimetres long and 68 centimetres wide, and 60 centimetres wide directly in front of the bulkhead. Tall people are better off here than in the forward berth, as it tapers at the feet and is only 180 centimetres long in the middle. At shoulder height, it measures around 160 centimetres wide. This is more than enough for small children.
The aft deck design makes it possible to sit comfortably in the saloon, even when the lifting roof is not raised, when there is about 1.40 metres between the floorboard and the cabin ceiling. When the roof is raised and locked in place with two brackets from the outside, which is best done by two people, the small cruiser offers almost standing height at 1.75 metres. When lowered, the roof is secured with hooks from the inside. The plastic edge around the edge of the lifting roof is pulled so tightly onto the deck that even waves cannot find their way inside the boat.
There is space for equipment in swallow's nests along the side wall, to the side of the companionway and in lockers underneath. Thanks to the inner shell, there is also a storage compartment in each of the longitudinal berths, which at 90 x 37 centimetres also offers space for larger items. And there are also spacious lockers in the cockpit.
The Neptun 20 is currently offered second-hand for between 3,500 and 6,500 euros, usually with a road trailer and outboard motor.
Technical data of the Neptun 20
- Designer: Lothar Leichtfuß
- Torso length: 6,00 m
- Waterline length: 5,15 m
- Width: 2,35 m
- Depth: 0,50-1,00 m
- Weight: 900 kg
- Ballast: 225 kg
- Sail area on the wind: 20,0 m²
- Sail area spinnaker: 26,0 m²
Hull and deck construction
Solid GRP with inner shell, foam filling around the mast base and in the running surfaces. Manufactured using the hand lay-up method
- Base price ex shipyard (1973): 10,574 DM
- Price used (as of 03/2024): between € 3,500 and € 6,500 incl. trailer
Good-natured, trailerable entry-level boat, also for shallow waters. Inexpensive to buy and maintain
Design and concept
- + Plenty of interior space thanks to rear deck and lifting roof
- + Variable draught thanks to keel centreboard
Sailing performance and trim
- + Good-natured sailing behaviour
- - Runs at low altitude
Living and storage options
- + Swivelling saloon and cockpit table
- + Long longitudinal berths
- + Large baking boxes
- - Forward berth quite short
The article first appeared in YACHT 20/2017 and has been updated for the online version.
More used boats in the test:
- Fountaine Pajot Athena 38 as a used boat: Agile and solid cat thanks to good genes
- Bavaria 890: Former flagship from the early days of the shipyard in a used boat test
- Winner 10.10: Popular second-hand boat is suitable as an agile family runabout
- Grinde used boat test: Modern GRP classic is made for strong winds
- Hornet 32: High-quality cruising boat from the Elbe in a used boat test
Most read in category Yachts
IMAGES
VIDEO