The Baltic 50 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 43.6′, the Baltic 50 tops out around 8.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √43.6′ LWL = 8.9 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
28.5
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
43.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
110
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
20.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
20.3
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
2.09
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 Baltic 50 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
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° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
5.0 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
6.2 |
7.8 |
8.7 |
9.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.7 |
7.2 |
8.1 |
8.8 |
| Run150–180° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.9 kts),
SA/D (28.5), 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 Baltic 50 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Baltic 50.
|
Baltic 50 |
Santa Cruz 50 |
Shogun 50 |
St Francis 50 |
Swan 50 Ss |
Xc 47 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
50.0 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
50.2 |
49.9 |
| LWL |
43.6 |
46.4 |
46.6 |
47.1 |
37.3 |
43.2 |
| Beam |
14.2 |
12.0 |
12.7 |
26.3 |
13.6 |
15.0 |
| Displacement |
20 |
16 |
17 |
27 |
36 |
31 |
| Ballast |
9 |
8 |
7 |
— |
14 |
12 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
9 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
28.5 |
26.5 |
34.7 |
— |
15.2 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
43.9 |
50.0 |
45.6 |
— |
39.2 |
37.9 |
| Comfort |
20.3 |
19.0 |
19.1 |
11.3 |
41.8 |
29.8 |
| Capsize |
2.09 |
1.91 |
1.97 |
3.48 |
1.65 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
8.9 |
9.1 |
9.2 |
9.2 |
8.2 |
8.8 |