The Cape Dory 22 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 16.3′, the Cape Dory 22 tops out around 5.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √16.3′ 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.
PHRF Rating
282s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
17.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
43.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
333
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
19.3
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
3lbs
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
19.3
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 Cape Dory 22 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Tanzer 22
246s/nm
Pearson 22
252s/nm
Cape Dory 22
282s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.4 kts),
SA/D (17.7), 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 Cape Dory 22 — 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 Cape Dory 22.
|
Cape Dory 22 |
Alberg 23 |
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel |
Pearson 22 |
Tanzer 22 |
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
22.3 |
22.5 |
22.3 |
22.3 |
22.5 |
22.4 |
| LWL |
16.3 |
16.3 |
18.3 |
18.5 |
19.8 |
16.5 |
| Beam |
7.3 |
7.0 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
7.8 |
7.4 |
| Displacement |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
240 |
250 |
219 |
218 |
— |
245 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
282 |
— |
— |
252 |
246 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.7 |
17.9 |
15.5 |
18.5 |
— |
17.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
43.8 |
41.8 |
41.2 |
— |
43.1 |
51.5 |
| Comfort |
19.3 |
21.4 |
17.1 |
13.4 |
— |
19.3 |
| Capsize |
1.99 |
1.87 |
2.11 |
2.26 |
— |
2.00 |
| Hull Speed |
5.4 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
5.8 |
— |
5.4 |