We’ve had owners of 30+ footers envious of our ability to stretch out and suntan on the deck and sleep comfortably in the relatively huge V-Berth of our "Serendipity".

The Ensenada 20 was manufactured from 1972 to 1981 by Coastal Recreation Inc. in Costa Mesa, Ca. and was also built under the RK-20 name by their subsidiary RK Industries in Strasburg Virginia. There were many interior, rig, keel trunk, rudder, and interior design changes over the years, making almost every E20 on the water today a "One-Of-A-Kind".

"Serendipity", came equipped with direct to mast upper shrouds (no spreaders), fractional (vs masthead) rig, a swing keel, kick-up rudder, and bow pulpit, main with single reef points and a 100% working jib. She was purchased with a 3.9 HP longshaft Volvo Penta outboard, that though still in brand new condition, was recently replaced with a 1985 5 HP Mariner.

If you haven't guessed yet, after sailing over 3000 miles of the some of the most challenging freshwater cruising grounds in the world, we've grown very fond of the good ship "Serendipity".

Her ability to face and conquer the challenges we meet never ceases to amaze me. Combined with reasonable seamanship skills and a healthy respect for the potential power of the wind and fury of the seas, we trust our Ensenada 20 to treat us to adventurous journey's and safely deliver us to our intended destinations.

Cabin Space: Enormous for a 20 footer. We've set ours up as a compact cruiser and my wife and I have enjoyed 2 week excursions with our 14 year old son on board. Pop top is great but catches jib sheets when up while under way (also hurts visibility). We leave it up (underway) only when we're in big water, on long tacks, and where there's little traffic.

Swing Keel: Significant (4') draft for stability and minimum leeway while beating, yet minimal drag (retracts for 21" draft) when running, convenient for gunkholing shallows, yet since significant keel is still exposed below the hull when fully retracted, it provides good stability in light winds and reduces swing when at anchor (always retract at anchor or you'll think you're a bronc buster). Swing keel winch available from cockpit (many boats you have to go into the cabin).

Main Sheet System: Transom (basically) mounted main sheet system doesn't present the companion way hazard as do most boats. The starboard mounted cam cleat is an inconvenience on a starboard tack. If there's a chance I'll have to spill the main, I run the free sheet end around the stern rail (modification) on the port side.

Heavy Duty Mast: (heavier construction than many 26 footers). This eliminates the need for spreaders (some confuse with light construction 'till they heft the mast), and makes mast stepping much easier (lack of spreaders, not weight). The heavy tabernacle and shroud placement eliminates side swing during mast raising.

Large Foredeck: There are few boats you can stretch full out on regardless of size (up to 40 feet). The E20 has an unbeatable foredeck.

Jib Sheet Winches: Too small! They should be replaced with larger ones that take a handle to assist sheet adjustment under load, and make mast raising a single person job.

Swing Keel Lock Down: While some Ensenada 20's weren't so equipped,  I believe this to be an essential safety requirement of any swing keel boat (to prevent retraction in the event of a hurricane force knock down). However, under light winds you risk trunk damage in the event of a grounding (experience talking).

If you don't lock down, waves forced into the trunk come through the lockdown stud hole, and wet the floor.

Main Roller Reefing:

Some roller reefing systems are good. This one isn't. It's very cumbersome to pull back the boom against the spring tension while rolling the boom, and keeping the topping lift butterfly from catching on the boom end. Forget about trying to maintain sail shape! We tried it once and then set up a simply jiffy reef line.

Gas Tank Provision: We have a 3 gallon tank (7.5 hours continuous operation for our 5HP Mariner) on the cockpit sole at the transom, and while potentially dangerous, we carry a 2 gallon jerry can in the locker (open to the cabin interior) on extended cruises, though we do plan to build a cockpit locker some day.