The Cinder 22 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 18.0′, the Cinder 22 tops out around 5.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.0′ LWL = 5.7 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
16.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
32.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
279
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
22.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
450lbs
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
22.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.82
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 Cinder 22 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Morgan 22
243s/nm
Cs 22
249s/nm
Hunter 22
252s/nm
Catalina 22 Mkii
270s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.2 |
3.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.7 kts),
SA/D (16.9), 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 Cinder 22 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 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 Cinder 22.
|
Cinder 22 |
Catalina 22 Mkii |
Cs 22 |
Hunter 22 |
Morgan 22 |
Westerly 21 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
21.5 |
21.5 |
21.6 |
21.5 |
21.4 |
21.5 |
| LWL |
18.0 |
19.5 |
17.5 |
18.5 |
20.3 |
18.8 |
| Beam |
7.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.8 |
| Displacement |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Ballast |
1 |
870 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
250 |
212 |
194 |
213 |
— |
210 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
270 |
249 |
252 |
243 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.9 |
18.4 |
18.4 |
17.8 |
— |
14.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
32.9 |
34.9 |
50.0 |
37.7 |
51.9 |
45.8 |
| Comfort |
22.2 |
12.4 |
11.4 |
13.1 |
— |
18.9 |
| Capsize |
1.82 |
2.26 |
2.46 |
2.32 |
— |
2.01 |
| Hull Speed |
5.7 |
5.9 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
— |
5.8 |