1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20
1978 Cape Dory 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pacific Seacraft | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1978–2007 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Bingham | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 8 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 is a 1970s design by Pacific Seacraft from USA, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 was penned by Bruce Bingham. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 measures 6.10m (20.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is 2.13m longer than the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 displaces approximately 71% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.17 and 16.3 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.84). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.8% for the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 provides 2 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.