The Challenger Bravo 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.
6.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.9′, the Challenger Bravo tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.9′ LWL = 6.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
38.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
170
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
13.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.40
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
6.3kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
745lbs
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
13.5
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
2.40
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 Challenger Bravo sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Kirby 25
Irwin 25
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Challenger Bravo.
| Challenger Bravo | Cal 2 25 | Cc 25 | Contessa 25 Peterson | Irwin 25 | Kirby 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 25.3 | 25.3 | 25.2 | 25.2 | 25.4 | 25.2 |
| LWL | 21.9 | 22.0 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 20.5 | 20.8 |
| Beam | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 9.4 | 8.0 | 8.8 |
| Displacement | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Ballast | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 314 | 306 | 350 | 315 | 289 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | 207 | 174 |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.5 | 18.6 | 20.3 | 16.4 | 21.6 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.5 | 44.4 | 44.2 | 45.7 | 40.7 | — |
| Comfort | 13.5 | 16.2 | 17.2 | 16.1 | 23.8 | 12.3 |
| Capsize | 2.40 | 2.18 | 2.11 | 2.27 | 1.83 | 2.39 |
| Hull Speed | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 |