The Bristol 19 Sailstar Corinthian 19 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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 14.5′, the Bristol 19 Sailstar Corinthian 19 tops out around 5.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √14.5′ LWL = 5.1 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
15.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.4%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
399
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
21.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.86
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
15.9
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
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
21.7
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
1.86
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 Bristol 19 Sailstar Corinthian 19 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Rhodes 19
261s/nm
Oday 20
280s/nm
Signet 20
304s/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° |
1.9 |
2.4 |
2.7 |
2.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.3 |
3.0 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.1 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.1 kts),
SA/D (15.3), 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 Bristol 19 Sailstar Corinthian 19 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Bristol 19 Sailstar Corinthian 19.
|
Bristol 19 Sailstar Corinthian 19 |
Corinthian 19 Alberg |
Nordica 20 |
Oday 20 |
Rhodes 19 |
Signet 20 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
19.5 |
19.5 |
19.5 |
19.6 |
19.2 |
19.8 |
| LWL |
14.5 |
14.5 |
16.5 |
17.3 |
17.8 |
16.0 |
| Beam |
6.5 |
6.5 |
7.7 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
6.7 |
| Displacement |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
1 |
400 |
415 |
800 |
| Sail Area |
186 |
193 |
188 |
— |
175 |
169 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
280 |
261 |
304 |
| SA/Disp |
15.3 |
15.9 |
16.3 |
— |
22.9 |
16.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.4 |
40.4 |
— |
17.0 |
— |
37.3 |
| Comfort |
21.7 |
21.7 |
14.8 |
— |
8.6 |
15.4 |
| Capsize |
1.86 |
1.86 |
2.26 |
— |
2.53 |
2.07 |
| Hull Speed |
5.1 |
5.1 |
5.4 |
— |
5.7 |
5.4 |