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Performance

Catalac Performance

How the Catalac performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Catalac is 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.

6.8 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 25.9′, the Catalac tops out around 6.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.9′ LWL = 6.8 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

Displacement / Length
205
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
13.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.80
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
6.8kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
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
13.6
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
2.80
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 Catalac sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Dufour 29 171s/nm
Shipman 28 198s/nm

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Catalac.

Catalac Dufour 29 First 30 Beneteau Mauric Hallberg Rassy 29 Shipman 28 Stiletto 30
Dimensions
LOA 29.3 29.3 29.4 29.2 29.1 29.3
LWL 25.9 25.1 25.4 23.8 21.0 26.8
Beam 14.0 9.7 9.4 9.3 8.5 17.8
Displacement 8 7 7 8 6 2
Ballast 2 3 3 2
Sail Area 364 538 349 400
Performance
PHRF 171 198
SA/Disp 15.6 20.9 15.9
Bal/Disp 36.5 49.3 46.1
Comfort 13.6 20.7 26.2 25.1 2.5
Capsize 2.80 2.00 1.83 1.82 5.58
Hull Speed 6.8 6.7 6.5 6.1 6.9