The Amphibi Con 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 21.7′, the Amphibi Con tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.7′ 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.
SA / Displacement
19.3
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
31.4%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
154
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
15.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.04
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
600lbs
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
15.5
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
2.04
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 Amphibi Con sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Contessa 26
219s/nm
New Horizons 26
225s/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° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.2 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 Amphibi Con — 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 Amphibi Con.
|
Amphibi Con |
Ariel 26 Pearson |
Contessa 26 |
New Horizons 26 |
Offshore 26 Cheoy Lee |
Victoire 26 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
25.4 |
25.6 |
25.5 |
25.4 |
25.6 |
25.4 |
| LWL |
21.7 |
18.5 |
20.0 |
21.3 |
23.3 |
20.2 |
| Beam |
7.8 |
8.0 |
7.5 |
7.8 |
8.8 |
8.4 |
| Displacement |
3 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
| Ballast |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
— |
1 |
| Sail Area |
277 |
307 |
233 |
333 |
328 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
219 |
225 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
19.3 |
16.6 |
12.2 |
16.1 |
19.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
31.4 |
44.9 |
42.6 |
26.5 |
— |
34.0 |
| Comfort |
15.5 |
24.0 |
26.3 |
27.1 |
16.0 |
23.1 |
| Capsize |
2.04 |
1.86 |
1.71 |
1.71 |
2.14 |
1.90 |
| Hull Speed |
6.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
6.0 |