The Cherubini 48 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, and respectable in club racing.
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 44.0′, the Cherubini 48 tops out around 8.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √44.0′ LWL = 8.9 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
108s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
16.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
42.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
210
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
1.52
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
1.52
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 Cherubini 48 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Taswell 49
102s/nm
Cherubini 48
108s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Hallberg Rassy 49
120s/nm
Hinckley 49
150s/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° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.6 |
7.4 |
7.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.9 kts),
SA/D (16.7), 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 Cherubini 48 — 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 Cherubini 48.
|
Cherubini 48 |
Hallberg Rassy 49 |
Hinckley 49 |
Oyster 485 |
Seguin 48 |
Taswell 49 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
48.8 |
49.1 |
49.0 |
48.5 |
48.7 |
48.8 |
| LWL |
44.0 |
41.0 |
40.4 |
37.5 |
37.5 |
41.9 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
14.5 |
13.4 |
14.0 |
13.8 |
15.0 |
| Displacement |
40 |
39 |
38 |
37 |
26 |
32 |
| Ballast |
16 |
17 |
8 |
13 |
10 |
13 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1,249 |
922 |
960 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
108 |
120 |
150 |
— |
— |
102 |
| SA/Disp |
16.7 |
17.3 |
13.1 |
13.8 |
21.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
42.3 |
45.1 |
21.1 |
— |
39.9 |
40.0 |
| Comfort |
44.7 |
40.1 |
43.0 |
42.3 |
30.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.52 |
1.70 |
1.60 |
1.68 |
1.85 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.9 |
8.6 |
8.5 |
8.2 |
8.2 |
— |