The Flicka 20 Sailboat

Despite the diminutive size of the Flicka 20, these little sailboats have made impressive ocean passages and dealt with serious storms. Having proven bluewater capability, the Flicka 20 enjoys a cult following.

A Flicka 20 sailboat on a mooring in English Harbour, Antigua.

The Flicka 20, a diminutive pocket cruiser.

With just 20' on deck, there's enough accommodation and facilities below for a single-handed liveaboard cruiser. Their charm and character is undeniable.

Published Specification for the Flicka 20

Hull Type: Long keel with transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 24' 0" / 7.3m

Waterline Length: 18' 2" / 5.5m

Beam: 8' 0" / 2.4m

Draft: 3' 3" / 1.0m

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 5,500lb / 2,495kg

Designer: Bruce Bingham

Builder: Nor'Star Fiberglass Yachts and Pacific Seacraft (USA)

Year First Built: 1974

Year Last Built: 1999

Number Built: 400

Owners Association: Not known

More about the Flicka 20...

More pics & info...

Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 for Sale

These don't come along very often and this one wasn't on the market for long, but we've left the ad live for the benefit of anyone researching these remarkable little boats.

Published Design Ratios for the Flicka 20

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 12.2

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 29.2

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

Displacement/Length Ratio: 447

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

Comfort Ratio: 29.2

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Flicka 20

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 12.2 suggests that the Flicka 20 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 29.2 means that a sailboat like the Flicka 20 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 447, tells us the Flicka 20 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 29.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Flicka 20 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 indicates that a Flicka 20 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than similar ones with a CSF of more than 2.0.