The Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 vs Nacra Sailing Nacra Inter 20 1998 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nacra Sailing Nacra Inter 20 1998 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nacra Sailing Nacra Inter 20 1998 could be the deciding factor.
The Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 has a documented displacement of 306 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 3,5 ft and 3,4 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 uses a 2 tillers versus a 1 tiller on the Nacra Sailing Nacra Inter 20 1998. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones.
Both the Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 and Nacra Sailing Nacra Inter 20 1998 are listed as trailerable, which opens up the freedom to explore different sailing grounds without paying for a permanent berth.
Bottom line: The Nacra Sailing Nacra Inter 20 1998 at 20,0 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Nacra Sailing Nacra 17 2011 at 17,2 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew, trailerable, and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.