The 210 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.5′, the 210 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
28.1
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
49.8%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
90
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
13.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.77
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
469lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
13.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.77
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the 210 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pearson 30
174s/nm
Grampian 30
192s/nm
Morgan 30
201s/nm
Cape Dory 300 Ms
293s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.3 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (28.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the 210 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the 210.
|
210 |
Bahama 30 Islander |
Cape Dory 300 Ms |
Grampian 30 |
Morgan 30 |
Pearson 30 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.8 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.8 |
29.9 |
29.8 |
| LWL |
22.5 |
24.6 |
26.5 |
25.5 |
24.2 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
5.8 |
10.0 |
11.4 |
9.5 |
9.3 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
2 |
8 |
11 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
| Ballast |
1 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
305 |
449 |
442 |
425 |
467 |
445 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
293 |
192 |
201 |
174 |
| SA/Disp |
28.1 |
17.7 |
13.9 |
16.3 |
15.6 |
17.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.8 |
38.0 |
39.1 |
— |
42.9 |
42.8 |
| Comfort |
13.7 |
22.6 |
25.2 |
24.7 |
32.4 |
24.3 |
| Capsize |
1.77 |
1.98 |
2.03 |
1.86 |
1.69 |
1.88 |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
6.8 |
6.6 |
6.7 |