The Alerion 41 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
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 30.5′, the Alerion 41 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.5′ LWL = 7.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
99s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
23.8
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
37.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
252
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
29.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.77
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
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
29.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
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 Alerion 41 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Alerion 41
99s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Catalina 400
102s/nm
Oyster 406
117s/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° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.5 |
7.3 |
7.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (23.8), 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 Alerion 41 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Alerion 41.
|
Alerion 41 |
Catalina 400 |
Malo 40 2 |
Oyster 406 |
Solaris 42 |
Tartan 412 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
40.5 |
40.5 |
40.5 |
40.5 |
40.6 |
40.6 |
| LWL |
30.5 |
34.8 |
34.5 |
34.8 |
37.6 |
31.4 |
| Beam |
11.2 |
13.5 |
12.6 |
12.8 |
13.1 |
12.7 |
| Displacement |
16 |
18 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
18 |
| Ballast |
6 |
7 |
7 |
— |
6 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
942 |
808 |
936 |
— |
1 |
756 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
99 |
102 |
— |
117 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
23.8 |
18.9 |
19.8 |
— |
22.7 |
17.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
37.5 |
40.0 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
29.7 |
23.8 |
30.6 |
— |
25.4 |
28.4 |
| Capsize |
1.77 |
2.06 |
1.83 |
— |
1.95 |
1.92 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
— |
8.2 |
7.5 |