Description
The Flicka 20 is a compact American pocket cruiser designed by Bruce Bingham as a seaworthy bluewater sailboat, capable of offshore voyages despite its 20 ft length, ideal for solo or couple cruising on coastal waters, lakes, or open ocean. Introduced in 1972 by Nor'Star Marine in California during the small-boat fiberglass boom, it gained fame for its "go-anywhere" reputation, with over 400 production units built by Pacific Seacraft from 1981 to 1994 (after acquiring the molds). Home-built versions number in the hundreds, emphasizing simplicity and durability. The design features a fiberglass monohull with a full keel and spade rudder for stable tracking and upwind pointing, a narrow beam for agility, and versatile rig options for light-air performance and ease of handling. It prioritizes seaworthiness with a heavy displacement/length ratio for a comfortable ride and a high ballast ratio for stiffness in gusts, though its low freeboard limits heavy-weather comfort. Rig variants include the standard masthead sloop/cutter, optional gaff cutter, and popular junk rig conversions for shorthanded simplicity. Contemporary reviews praised its "disproportionate capability" as a "micro-ocean racer," with owners like Robert Hobbs circumnavigating solo. It's a cult favorite for minimalists. The optional gaff-rigged cutter (Model A) was offered by Pacific Seacraft for traditional aesthetics and better light-air drive, with a four-sided gaff mainsail and staysail. It increases sail area to 288 sq ft (26.76 m²) for easier handling in puffs. Displacement rises slightly to 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) with 1,750 lb ballast. Dimensions: Similar I/J, but P shortened to ~21 ft for gaff head, E=13 ft. Popular for homebuilders; provides a "classic look" with reduced heeling.
