The Nordica 20 Sailboat

The remarkable little boat, the Nordica 20, has made ocean crossings and successfully handled some severe storms.

The diminutive 'Godot' at the Tamar River Sailing Club (Plymouth UK) after having successfully completed the 2016 Jester Azores Challenge, a voyage of 1,500 miles each way.

The Halman 20 is a development of the Nordica 20, as is the Halman 21 which is similar but sports a bowsprit.

Published Specification for the Nordica 20

Underwater Profile: Long keel & transon-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 19' 6" / 5.9m

Waterline Length: 16' 6" / 5.0m

Beam: 7' 8" / 2.34m

Draft: 3' 0" / 0.9m

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 2,500lb / 1,134kg

Designer: Malta-Muller

Builder: Nordica Yachts (Canada)

Year First Built: 1975

Year Last Built: ?

Number Built: ?

Owners Association: ?

Published Design Ratios for the Nordica 20

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.3

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: 40.5

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

Displacement/Length Ratio: 250

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

Comfort Ratio: 14.8

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: 2.3

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

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Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Nordica 20

She's a reasonably good performer under sail;
She's stiffer than most other vessels in her class;
She's in the moderate displacement category;
Crew comfort in a seaway is commensurate with that of a lightweight racing boat, owing to her very small size;
She's less suited for ocean passages than most other similar vessels in her class;