The Albin 78 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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 21.8′, the Albin 78 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.8′ LWL = 6.3 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
13.3
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
40.4%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
223
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
15.0
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
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
18.5
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
2.10
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
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Albin 78 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Albin Express
174s/nm
Hunter 26
213s/nm
Contessa 26
219s/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° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (13.3), 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 Albin 78 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Albin 78.
|
Albin 78 |
Albin Express |
Cirrus 78 Albin |
Contessa 26 |
Delanta 78 Dehler |
Hunter 26 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
25.6 |
25.5 |
25.6 |
25.5 |
25.6 |
25.6 |
| LWL |
21.8 |
21.6 |
21.8 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
22.0 |
| Beam |
9.1 |
8.2 |
9.1 |
7.5 |
8.1 |
8.8 |
| Displacement |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
| Ballast |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
248 |
317 |
248 |
233 |
337 |
268 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
174 |
— |
219 |
— |
213 |
| SA/Disp |
13.3 |
20.3 |
13.3 |
12.2 |
22.5 |
14.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.4 |
44.5 |
40.4 |
42.6 |
40.6 |
38.8 |
| Comfort |
18.5 |
16.3 |
18.5 |
26.3 |
16.4 |
15.9 |
| Capsize |
2.10 |
2.07 |
2.10 |
1.71 |
2.10 |
2.17 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.2 |
6.3 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.5 |