Thanks Ian - that's exactly what I suspected. I'll share this and any other comments with the Flicka 20 owners group so we can finally lay this issue to rest over there. I have some rigging tricks and configurations I've figured out for the Flicka that are simple, cheap, and make her much easier and safer to sail and tack down wind with that I'll share with all of you for comment and use - if you like them that is!
In the mean time, though you guys might enjoy some salty super slow motion footage I've shot of my Flicka "Nomad" and a Contessa 26 in fresh conditions on Santa Monica bay last week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4obYYuC1m0&sns=em
Enjoy.