The Flicka 20 is modestly canvassed and unhurried.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.7 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 18.2′, the Flicka 20 tops out around 5.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.2′ LWL = 5.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
297s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
12.2
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
29.2%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
447
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
5.7kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Flicka 20 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Neptune 24 Fk
San Juan 24
Bridges Point 24
Windrose 24
Flicka 20
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail | 6 kts TWS | 10 kts TWS | 15 kts TWS | 20 kts TWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close-hauled40–50° | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| Close Reach60° | 2.4 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| Beam Reach90° | 2.9 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Run150–180° | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.7 kts),
SA/D (12.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Flicka 20 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Flicka 20.
| Flicka 20 | Bridges Point 24 | Neptune 24 Fk | San Juan 24 | Seaforth 24 | Windrose 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 |
| LWL | 18.2 | 18.7 | 21.0 | 19.5 | 17.0 | 21.4 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 7.8 |
| Displacement | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Ballast | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 700 |
| Sail Area | 252 | 278 | 250 | 246 | 208 | 222 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 297 | 243 | 222 | 222 | — | 254 |
| SA/Disp | 12.2 | 17.9 | 18.5 | 18.2 | 12.8 | 19.9 |
| Bal/Disp | 29.2 | 48.2 | — | 51.6 | 38.1 | — |
| Comfort | — | 19.7 | 14.2 | 14.9 | 23.9 | 10.8 |
| Capsize | — | 1.96 | 2.17 | 2.17 | 1.82 | 2.34 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.8 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 6.2 |