The Broads One Design is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 16.2′, the Broads One Design tops out around 5.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √16.2′ LWL = 5.4 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
28.4
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
189
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
17.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.67
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
294lbs
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
17.2
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
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 Broads One Design sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
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° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.4 kts),
SA/D (28.4), 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 Broads One Design — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Broads One Design.
|
Broads One Design |
110 |
Atlantic City Cat Boat |
Belfast Lough One Design Class Ii |
Crescent |
Thompson 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
| LWL |
16.2 |
18.0 |
22.0 |
15.0 |
18.5 |
21.0 |
| Beam |
5.1 |
4.2 |
11.0 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
8.0 |
| Displacement |
1 |
910 |
8 |
9 |
2 |
6 |
| Ballast |
— |
300 |
2 |
— |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
262 |
157 |
452 |
355 |
146 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
222 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
28.4 |
26.8 |
18.1 |
12.6 |
12.2 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
33.0 |
27.5 |
— |
45.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
17.2 |
10.6 |
22.4 |
74.3 |
16.8 |
26.5 |
| Capsize |
1.67 |
1.72 |
2.20 |
1.16 |
1.88 |
1.76 |
| Hull Speed |
5.4 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |