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456data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this FLICKA 20 buyer’s report
FLICKA 20

FLICKA 20

$15,500 avg$15,000 – $16,000 (2 listings)1974–1999400 built
$800 – $2.1K est. annual maintenance
Offshore CruisermonoCutterFull/Long
Flicka 20 Website

Specifications

Hull

LOA24 ft
LWL18.17 ft
Beam8 ft
Draft3.25 ft
Displacement5,500 lb
Ballast1,800.1 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL5.7 kn

Rig & Sails

Iforetriangle height27.9 ft
Jforetriangle base10.5 ft
Pmainsail luff23.3 ft
Emainsail foot8.9 ft
FLforestay10.5 ft
Mainsail258.5 sq ft
Jib (100%)146.5 sq ft
Spinnaker249 sq ft
SA total288 sq ft

Engine

CommonlyYanmar, Nanni, Beta Marine, Mitsubishi, Johnson, Kubota, Vetus, BMW

About the FLICKA 20

Pacific Seacraft also reports a displacement of 6,000 lbs and ballast of 1,750 lbs for their "Model A" version of the Flicka Gaff rig sail area: 288 sqft An article by Bruce Bingham in The Small Boat Journal lists rig measurements as: I = 28.17 ft J = 10.5 ft P = 24 ft E = 9.5 ft Began as plans available for amateur builder.(Over 200 sets sold) The designer began building a plug for a Flicka of his own, but circumstances forced its sale to Nor'star Marine, CA, USA, before completion. By 1975, Nor'star was building Flicka's, either as owner-finished kits, or boats completed under contract by Westerly Marine of Cosa Mesa. In 1977 Nor'star ceased production. In 1978 Pacific Seacraft bought the tooling and built it's version until 1998. Over the years other Flicka's have been built from varying materials. Decks, interiors and rigs can differ widely.

Sailpages Buyer's Take

Designed by Bruce Bingham and built by Nor'Star Fiberglass Yachts/Pacific Seacraft (USA) from 1974–1999, the Flicka 20 is a robust 24-foot cutter with 400 hulls produced. Its heavy displacement of 5500.0 lb and full keel design prioritize stability and comfort over speed, making it a classic choice for safe, manageable cruising.

Best for:
This boat is ideal for coastal cruisers and couples seeking a low-maintenance, stable platform that is manageable for short-handed sailing. Its cutter rig and moderate sail area (288.0 sq ft) make it particularly suitable for those prioritizing safety and ease of handling over high-performance racing.
Bluewater capability:
With a capsize ratio of 1.82 and a comfort ratio of 26.73, the Flicka 20 is well-suited for offshore passages, offering exceptional stability and motion comfort in heavy weather despite its modest size.
Comparables:
Comparable boats include the Cal 2-36 and O'Day 23, which share similar full-keel, heavy-displacement characteristics from the same era. These vessels are comparable because they all prioritize seaworthiness and interior volume within the 20-25 foot range, appealing to buyers seeking traditional cruising aesthetics.

Performance

Comfort26.7
Capsize1.82
SA/Disp12.9
Disp/Len409
Bal/Disp32.7

Liveaboard Score

How suitable the FLICKA 20is for living aboard full-time, by crew. “Not recommended” means the design is too cramped for that crew — not just short on length.

single
52/100
Workable
couple
32/100
Marginal / cramped
family
Not recommended
interior volume too small (beam×LWL 145 < 250)
Strengths
  • Affordable to own & maintain
  • Sea-kindly & settled at anchor
  • Shoal draft — easy anchoring & outdoor living
Watch-outs
  • !Basic sanitation & poor ventilation
Prototype · interior facts: PUB (Flicka 20 — famous full headroom, 20ft hull) · weights are tunable

Images

Flicka line drawings
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Flicka line drawings top view
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Flicka line drawings side view
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Portside profile
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Flicka interior
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Flicka Caraway Interior
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flicka sloop with gaff inset
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gaff cutter Flicka 20 sail plan
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junk rig flicka sail plan
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Flcka Baby Grand interior
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sv Esperanza
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Flicka Valentine
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sv Yarns
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flicka-brochure-image-bruce-carnahan
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Flicka Caraway sails under calm conditions
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Flicka Blue Skies
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Flicka Ben Main Jnr under way
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Flicka Caraway in the Bay of Poets, Italy
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Flicka Blue Skies in Port
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Flicka Caraway running
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flicka Blue Skies on a pontoon
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Flicka and Dana at anchor together
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Yanmar 1gm 10 diesel inboard engine stripped.
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Yanmar 1gm 10 diesel inboard engine overhauled and re-painted.
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Yanmar 1gm raw water pump stripped down
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Yanmar 1gm with anode removed showing rust from leakage
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Bruce P Bingham Designer of the Flicka 20
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my first boat flicka caraway
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a little boat goes a long way article about small boats
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history of the flicka
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Estimated Value

Limited Data
Based on 2 listings
Low
$13,329
Estimated Value
$15,003
High
$16,677
Inflation-adjusted to 2026 USD

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 24ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$800 – $2.1K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
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Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

26 reported issues across 9 systems for the FLICKA 20, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

5 critical12 major9 minor
Structural6Engine5Hull3Deck3Rigging3Rudder2Keel2Electrical1Plumbing1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a FLICKA 20? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.

  • All 26 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
  • Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
  • Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep

One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep

Similar Sailboats

Which engine powers your FLICKA 20?

We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.

Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Nanni, Beta Marine, Mitsubishi — is it one of these?

Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.

Used sails that fit the FLICKA 20

Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…