The Camden Class 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 17.0′, the Camden Class tops out around 5.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.0′ LWL = 5.5 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
30.5
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
227
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
14.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.99
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
14.9
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
1.99
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 Camden Class sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Alerion Express 28
168s/nm
Cape Dory 28
225s/nm
Stone Horse 26
246s/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° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.5 kts),
SA/D (30.5), 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 Camden Class — 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 Camden Class.
|
Camden Class |
Alerion Express 28 |
Cape Dory 28 |
Hallberg Rassy P 28 |
Stone Horse 26 |
Triton Pearson |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.3 |
28.3 |
28.1 |
28.3 |
28.3 |
28.3 |
| LWL |
17.0 |
22.8 |
22.2 |
21.0 |
18.3 |
21.5 |
| Beam |
6.8 |
8.2 |
8.9 |
7.8 |
7.1 |
8.3 |
| Displacement |
2 |
4 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
| Ballast |
— |
2 |
3 |
— |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
350 |
352 |
404 |
371 |
339 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
168 |
225 |
— |
246 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
30.5 |
21.0 |
15.0 |
16.5 |
20.0 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
45.5 |
38.9 |
— |
44.5 |
43.6 |
| Comfort |
14.9 |
16.9 |
31.7 |
29.8 |
24.0 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.99 |
2.00 |
1.71 |
1.64 |
1.72 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.5 |
6.4 |
6.3 |
6.1 |
5.7 |
— |