The Captiva 240 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 20.5′, the Captiva 240 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.5′ 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.
PHRF Rating
222s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
25.1
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
41.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
124
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
10.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.44
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
598lbs
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
10.5
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
2.44
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 Captiva 240 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Wavelength 24
162s/nm
Rodgers 24
189s/nm
Captiva 240
222s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Hunter 240
228s/nm
Windrose 24
254s/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° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.1 kts),
SA/D (25.1), 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 Captiva 240 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Captiva 240.
|
Captiva 240 |
Hunter 240 |
Rodgers 24 |
Spindrift 24 |
Wavelength 24 |
Windrose 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.0 |
24.1 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
| LWL |
20.5 |
22.1 |
20.5 |
20.3 |
20.3 |
21.4 |
| Beam |
8.2 |
8.3 |
8.2 |
8.0 |
9.0 |
7.8 |
| Displacement |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
700 |
| Sail Area |
280 |
236 |
— |
248 |
288 |
222 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
222 |
228 |
189 |
— |
162 |
254 |
| SA/Disp |
25.1 |
16.1 |
— |
19.1 |
25.1 |
19.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
41.7 |
36.1 |
48.2 |
48.3 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
10.5 |
14.8 |
— |
13.6 |
9.7 |
10.8 |
| Capsize |
2.44 |
2.16 |
— |
2.22 |
2.66 |
2.34 |
| Hull Speed |
6.1 |
6.3 |
— |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.2 |