The Cal T4 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 21.0′, the Cal T4 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.0′ LWL = 6.1 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
16.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
50.0%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
193
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
17.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.02
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
17.6
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
2.02
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 Cal T4 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Shark 24
236s/nm
Islander 24
237s/nm
Seafarer 24
246s/nm
Columbia 24
258s/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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.1 kts),
SA/D (16.3), 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 Cal T4 — 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 Cal T4.
|
Cal T4 |
Columbia 24 |
Dolphin 24 Yankee |
Islander 24 |
Seafarer 24 |
Shark 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.2 |
24.3 |
24.2 |
24.0 |
24.1 |
24.0 |
| LWL |
21.0 |
18.0 |
19.0 |
20.0 |
20.8 |
20.0 |
| Beam |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
7.8 |
6.8 |
| Displacement |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Ballast |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
675 |
| Sail Area |
256 |
285 |
295 |
294 |
258 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
258 |
— |
237 |
246 |
236 |
| SA/Disp |
16.3 |
18.0 |
18.0 |
21.3 |
16.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
50.0 |
44.4 |
38.8 |
51.5 |
— |
30.7 |
| Comfort |
17.6 |
19.7 |
21.2 |
15.5 |
17.9 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.02 |
2.01 |
1.90 |
2.11 |
1.99 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.1 |
5.7 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
6.1 |
— |