Flatfish

Originally designed by the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff and later refined by renowned naval architect Joel White, the Flatfish represents a thoughtful blend of classic yacht design principles with practical cruising capabilities. This 20-foot fractional sloop emerged in 1960 through builders Fairey Marine Ltd. and O'Day, combining traditional wood construction with fiberglass elements. With her generous beam of 7.5 feet and substantial displacement of 3,094 pounds, the Flatfish offers impressive stability and interior volume for her size. The keel/centerboard configuration provides versatility, allowing access to shallow waters while maintaining good windward performance when the board is deployed. Her moderate draft of 4.25 feet strikes an excellent balance between shoal water capability and sailing efficiency. The boat's sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20.1 indicates spirited performance in light to moderate conditions, while the comfortable 18.83 comfort ratio suggests she's well-suited for extended coastal cruising rather than aggressive racing. Her low capsize screening value of 2.06 reflects the inherent stability that made these designs popular among families and cruising sailors. The Flatfish excels as a weekender for protected waters and near-coastal exploration, offering the charm of classic design with practical sailing characteristics.

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