I was hoping to get some feedback from the group. I current solo sail a 2003 Nacra F18 and am thinking about switching to a Nacra F20. I rarely race. I just sail the F18 for fun, and at 230 pounds with normal SoCal winds, it seems I am rarely overpowered past the point of fun, even with the large size jib and spinnaker.

Do any of you solo sail your F20’s? Are you usually way overpowered? Are you able to right your boat solo? One of the things I like about the F18, is that I can right it solo, without a waterbag (though I do carry one). I worry that the larger mast and sail of a F20 may prevent solo rightings. Perhaps the lighter weight of the carbon mast makes up for this.

I also wonder if anyone has used extra water ballast attached to their life vest to compensate for the low weight of a solo sailor.

Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks.

I used to sail my Inter 20 solo quite often but on a lake. I flipped it a few times gybing in big wind but had no trouble righting it as long as there was enough wind to flip me, there was enough to right it, I weighed about 190. But I was on a lake, not out in the big ocean so I didn't have to contend with big waves.

The boat is easily controlled single handed and with those long, big fat bows, it is much more difficult to pitch-pole when going downwind than any other. I tried sailing it without the jib but I didn't change my mast rake and there was too much weather helm. I liked it with the jib better, even in big wind, as you can ease the traveler out, pull the boards up and ease the main sheet in the big puffs, and just cruise along with the jib working, I found that was easier than not using the jib.

If you sail the F18 solo, the Inter 20 won't be much different, and as long as you get the wind under the mast you can right it solo, but I think you will find it more foregiving and less likely to flip going downwind.

Oh, you will need double Harken auto-ratchet blocks for the spinnaker in any good wind, to keep from ripping your arm off.

At 230lbs, you'll be VERY powered up in anything over 8 knots.

Personally, I feel that you should probably stick with the F18. If you can't get that thing powered up at 230 pounds then simply upgrading to the N20 isn't going to solve that problem. There are plenty of SoCal F18 sailors that get their boats plenty powered up with more than 230lbs of crew weight on board.

Hello, I sail a Nacra Inter 20(european), so with the longer mast (9.52 M.) and 25 sqm. mainsail and jib (the genaker is 25 sqm. too) and I can sail it on my own without problems. Because of the very light steering you can sail it with only the mainsail, but with the jib up it goes faster and has a better balance. I couldn't right my former nacra 5.5 on my own, but can with the inter 20, I think, because of the much lighter carbon mast (feel the difference!!) en flatter sail layout. When the wind is not too strong I keep the traveler on the boom forward so I can go into the trapeze. With stronger winds, put the traveler further aft, so the mainsail flattens and I can sail much longer in heavier winds. Jib and mainsailtraveler a bit further out and its goes really fast. Aspecially in relative light winds it is so fast. I know, it looks intimidating, but isn't. The boot sails relatively easy also in a bit stronger winds. 4 beaufort seems the limit though. Don't do the same with an f18, because it wil pitchpole much quicker than the nacra 20, and is a lot more nervous. The 20 is rocksteady!! I agree with Timbo about the spinaker blocks!!

I solo mine quite often. I've even solo sailed it to Catalina Island from San Pedro to camp over there. It's quite a tame boat to sail, not to mention forgiving.

I solo my Nacra 6.0 na (20 foot nacra) every weekend. It is very easy to do and is a blast. The only thing that is more difficult is righting the boat if and when it turns over. I will be placing some tips and tricks on my web site: www.sailinglouisiana.com

Dude, you're worse than me with the shameless plugs.