The Bavaria 820 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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 22.0′, the Bavaria 820 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.0′ LWL = 6.3 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
14.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Displacement / Length
231
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.4
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
707lbs
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
19.4
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 Bavaria 820 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
J/27
126s/nm
Us 27
200s/nm
Cs 27
204s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (14.4), 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 Bavaria 820 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 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 Bavaria 820.
|
Bavaria 820 |
Cs 27 |
Endeavour 27 Aus |
J/27 |
Triton 27 |
Us 27 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
| LWL |
22.0 |
23.9 |
— |
22.0 |
23.3 |
23.3 |
| Beam |
9.0 |
9.3 |
9.0 |
9.8 |
9.5 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
5 |
6 |
— |
4 |
6 |
5 |
| Ballast |
— |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
280 |
453 |
— |
338 |
— |
313 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
204 |
— |
126 |
— |
200 |
| SA/Disp |
14.4 |
21.8 |
— |
22.0 |
— |
15.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
39.3 |
— |
40.0 |
32.4 |
34.7 |
| Comfort |
19.4 |
19.4 |
— |
19.6 |
— |
18.5 |
| Capsize |
2.04 |
2.05 |
— |
1.79 |
— |
2.11 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.6 |
— |
7.0 |
— |
6.5 |