The Alerion is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 Alerion 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 = 6.2 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
231s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
20.4
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
62.8%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
263
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
27.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.67
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
589lbs
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
27.3
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
1.67
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 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Alerion
231s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Cape Dory 26
237s/nm
Victoria 26
237s/nm
Atalanta 26
254s/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° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (20.4), 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 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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.
|
Alerion |
Atalanta 26 |
Cape Dory 26 |
Commander 26 Pearson |
Titania 26 |
Victoria 26 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
26.0 |
26.0 |
25.9 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
| LWL |
21.8 |
24.0 |
19.3 |
18.5 |
— |
21.3 |
| Beam |
7.6 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.8 |
8.2 |
| Displacement |
6 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
| Ballast |
3 |
950 |
2 |
2 |
950 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
422 |
— |
304 |
311 |
— |
337 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
231 |
254 |
237 |
— |
— |
237 |
| SA/Disp |
20.4 |
— |
16.1 |
16.2 |
— |
15.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
62.8 |
21.2 |
— |
46.3 |
23.8 |
— |
| Comfort |
27.3 |
— |
24.2 |
25.2 |
17.3 |
28.2 |
| Capsize |
1.67 |
— |
1.84 |
1.83 |
— |
1.73 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
— |
5.9 |
5.8 |
6.3 |
6.2 |