​Hunky Dory
​​​Norman 20
About Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory is a Norman 20 Hard Top with an extended cabin top to allow extra room inside. Powered by an 8hp Honda four stroke engine, which is ample to cruise along the broads.

Moored at Neatishead, Norfolk

Origio Stove and sink with folding tap

With original Norman wheel

Moored at Neatishead, Norfolk
Norman 20
The Norman 20 is a spacious cruiser for 2+2. The cockpit is particularly generous on the Norman 20.
The medium V shallow keel design allows the craft planing performance with larger outboards fitted, and examples of this can be found on the coast as well as inland.
Over 1000 Norman 20s were built and with a large outboard the boat would achieve a top speed of approx 18 knots.
Specifications
Overall Length 20' 3"
Overall Beam 6' 10"
Headroom 6' (4' 7" in cabin)
Weight (complete) 1848 lbs (838.25 kgs)
Draught 1' 5"
Engine Recommendations (Longshaft)
Inland waterways 5 - 10 hp
River, estuary 20 - 45 hp
Coastal 45 - 100 hp
About Norman Cruisers
Norman Cruisers are small glassfibre cabin cruisers built between the 1960’s and 1980’s, by Norman Cruisers Limited of Shaw and Crompton in Greater Manchester, England. The name comes from NORth of MANchester.
Norman Cruisers were started in 1959 by Ernie Wheeldon. The business started in Shaw Lancs, then moved to Isherwood Street in Heywood Lancs, then back to a new site in Shaw. Other factories were added in Royton and Heywood, and the business expanded into manufacturing windows and windscreens for both Norman Boats and other customers under the name of North West Windows Ltd at the Heywood factory. They also made boat canopies and upholstery under the name of North West Marine Trimmers Ltd at the Padiham & Lancashire factory, where they also made boat trailers (Speedmaster Trailers).
At the height of the business in 1971-1973 the business employed approximately 200 people, approximately 120 in boatbuilding and approximately 70 glass fibre laminators, of which approximately 30 were female. Norman Cruisers were in the top three largest pleasure boat builders in the UK, Westerley Yachts being the biggest.
In the 1970’s approximately 65% of boats were exported. Principal markets (in order of volume) were the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, France and Sweden. Boats in the Netherlands were imported by Internaut of Rotterdam and were sold under the name of "Inter", hence the 20 was the Inter620.
The business ceased trading in December 1979, the Winter of Discontent, and restarted in 1980. New models were introduced: 24, 27 and 22 wide beam but the moulding shop was destroyed in a fire in 1982, destroying most of the moulds and the business never recovered. Some moulds were re-built and when the business finally ceased, these were sold and marketed under other names, such as the Atlanta 24. Also some designs were copied and made into hybrids. Mr. Wheeldon once estimated that approximately 7,000 Normans were built.
Norman Cruisers went bankrupt in the 1980s. Many examples of their product range are still in use, and can be seen on British waterways and across the world.