The Alacrity 19 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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 17.0′, the Alacrity 19 tops out around 5.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.0′ LWL = 5.5 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
19.3
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
32.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
136
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
10.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.42
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
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
10.1
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
2.42
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
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° |
2.3 |
3.0 |
3.3 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.5 kts),
SA/D (19.3), 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 Alacrity 19 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Alacrity 19.
|
Alacrity 19 |
Com-Pac 19 |
Hurley 18 |
Macgregor 19 |
Mirror Offshore Mk I |
Sunstar 18 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
18.5 |
19.0 |
18.5 |
18.8 |
18.9 |
18.3 |
| LWL |
17.0 |
16.5 |
14.5 |
17.0 |
15.8 |
16.2 |
| Beam |
6.9 |
7.5 |
6.7 |
7.4 |
6.7 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Ballast |
480 |
750 |
1 |
800 |
380 |
699 |
| Sail Area |
158 |
165 |
180 |
— |
— |
154 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
19.3 |
15.6 |
16.3 |
— |
— |
18.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
32.0 |
34.1 |
42.6 |
39.0 |
21.1 |
— |
| Comfort |
10.1 |
13.4 |
18.5 |
— |
— |
7.3 |
| Capsize |
2.42 |
2.31 |
2.01 |
— |
— |
3.26 |
| Hull Speed |
5.5 |
5.4 |
5.1 |
— |
— |
5.4 |