The Alden 48 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 37.1′, the Alden 48 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.1′ LWL = 8.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
86s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
40.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
280
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.70
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
8.2kts
S# (Speed Number)
1.9
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
38.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.70
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 Alden 48 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Alden 48
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Taswell 49
Hallberg Rassy 49
Hinckley 49
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Alden 48.
| Alden 48 | Bristol 488 | Hallberg Rassy 49 | Hinckley 49 | Oyster 485 | Taswell 49 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 48.8 | 49.0 | 49.1 | 49.0 | 48.5 | 48.8 |
| LWL | 37.1 | 37.3 | 41.0 | 40.4 | 37.5 | 41.9 |
| Beam | 13.5 | 13.2 | 14.5 | 13.4 | 14.0 | 15.0 |
| Displacement | 32 | 34 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 32 |
| Ballast | 13 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 13 |
| Sail Area | — | 1,011 | 1,249 | 922 | 960 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 86 | — | 120 | 150 | — | 102 |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.3 | 17.3 | 13.1 | 13.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 40.6 | 43.3 | 45.1 | 21.1 | — | 40.0 |
| Comfort | 38.1 | 42.4 | 40.1 | 43.0 | 42.3 | — |
| Capsize | 1.70 | 1.62 | 1.70 | 1.60 | 1.68 | — |
| Hull Speed | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.2 | — |