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Nacra 20
Designer: Gino Morrelli/Pete Melvin  ·  Builder: Performance Catamarans, Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1998
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About the Nacra 20

Designed for speed and excitement on the water, the Nacra 20 is a high-performance catamaran built to deliver an exhilarating sailing experience. Part of the respected Nacra lineup — a brand long associated with competitive multihull racing — this boat is primarily aimed at sailors who crave adrenaline and responsiveness rather than leisurely cruising. As a performance catamaran, the Nacra 20 is well suited to inshore and coastal racing, where its lightweight construction and twin-hull design allow it to generate impressive speeds even in moderate breeze. Nacra has built a strong reputation within the multihull community for producing boats that balance competitive edge with accessibility, and the 20 fits comfortably within that tradition. Sailors drawn to this boat typically have some multihull experience and are looking to push their skills further, whether in club racing or open competition. The catamaran format naturally rewards good crew coordination and sail trim, making it as mentally engaging as it is physically demanding. For those seeking a race-oriented daysailer with genuine pace and Nacra's proven pedigree, the Nacra 20 is a compelling option worth serious consideration.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 3.18 ft / 0.97 m
Displacement 390.00 lb / 177 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Dbrd.
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG foam sandwich
Designer Gino Morrelli/Pete Melvin
Builder Performance Catamarans, Inc. (USA)
First Built 1998
Last Built 2001
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
35.44
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
1.93
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
4.66
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.52 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 3.1 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.42 ft / 0.13 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 260.00 ft² / 24.15 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Morrelli & Melvin
How It Compares

vs. Astus 201, Hobie Fox, Marstrom 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nacra 20 ★
20.0 ft
Astus 201
20.0 ft
Hobie Fox
20.0 ft
Marstrom 20
20.0 ft
LWL
Nacra 20 ★
Astus 201
19.2 ft
Hobie Fox
Marstrom 20
18.0 ft
Beam
Nacra 20 ★
8.5 ft
Astus 201
12.7 ft
Hobie Fox
8.5 ft
Marstrom 20
10.0 ft
Displacement
Nacra 20 ★
390 lbs
Astus 201
838 lbs
Hobie Fox
419 lbs
Marstrom 20
254 lbs
Performance
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nacra 20 ★
1.9
Astus 201
2.2
Hobie Fox
2.1
Marstrom 20
1.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nacra 20 ★
4.66
Astus 201
5.41
Hobie Fox
4.55
Marstrom 20
6.32
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nacra 20 ★
35
Astus 201
52
Hobie Fox
38
Marstrom 20
19
Hull Speed
Nacra 20 ★
5.5 kts
Astus 201
5.9 kts
Hobie Fox
5.5 kts
Marstrom 20
5.7 kts
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