The Cc 61 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a gentle bluewater motion.
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 50.0′, the Cc 61 tops out around 9.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √50.0′ LWL = 9.5 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
18.5
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
38.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
205
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
44.7
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.57
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
44.7
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.57
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 Cc 61 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Swan 61
9s/nm
Swan 59
21s/nm
Swan 57 Ss
42s/nm
Columbia 57
72s/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° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.8 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.8 |
7.4 |
8.3 |
8.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.4 |
6.8 |
7.6 |
7.9 |
| Run150–180° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (9.5 kts),
SA/D (18.5), 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 Cc 61 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Cc 61.
|
Cc 61 |
Cc 57 |
Columbia 57 |
Swan 57 Ss |
Swan 59 |
Swan 61 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
61.3 |
57.0 |
56.5 |
57.4 |
58.7 |
60.5 |
| LWL |
50.0 |
56.0 |
40.7 |
45.8 |
48.2 |
48.2 |
| Beam |
15.1 |
15.5 |
13.0 |
15.9 |
16.4 |
16.4 |
| Displacement |
57 |
45 |
45 |
49 |
62 |
61 |
| Ballast |
22 |
17 |
22 |
18 |
22 |
20 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
72 |
42 |
21 |
9 |
| SA/Disp |
18.5 |
16.5 |
16.4 |
17.4 |
— |
17.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
38.7 |
— |
48.9 |
— |
36.5 |
— |
| Comfort |
44.7 |
32.6 |
50.3 |
39.2 |
45.3 |
43.8 |
| Capsize |
1.57 |
1.74 |
1.47 |
1.73 |
1.66 |
1.67 |
| Hull Speed |
9.5 |
10.0 |
8.6 |
9.1 |
9.3 |
9.3 |