The Cl Explorer 45 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, designed for cruising comfort rather than 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 34.0′, the Cl Explorer 45 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.0′ LWL = 7.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
152s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
34.8%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
341
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
40.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.68
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
40.8
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
1.68
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 Cl Explorer 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Cape Dory 45
120s/nm
Formosa 46
128s/nm
Endeavour 43
132s/nm
Cl Explorer 45
152s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Lancer 45
162s/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° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (15.3), 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 Cl Explorer 45 — 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 Cl Explorer 45.
|
Cl Explorer 45 |
Cape Dory 45 |
Columbia 45 Ketch |
Endeavour 43 |
Formosa 46 |
Lancer 45 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.3 |
45.3 |
45.3 |
45.3 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
| LWL |
34.0 |
33.5 |
34.5 |
35.0 |
39.6 |
37.3 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
13.0 |
12.3 |
14.0 |
12.9 |
13.8 |
| Displacement |
30 |
24 |
25 |
33 |
33 |
24 |
| Ballast |
10 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
10 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
920 |
935 |
779 |
1,030 |
911 |
907 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
152 |
120 |
— |
132 |
128 |
162 |
| SA/Disp |
15.3 |
18.1 |
14.6 |
16.1 |
14.2 |
17.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
34.8 |
39.2 |
41.2 |
36.4 |
30.3 |
29.2 |
| Comfort |
40.8 |
32.9 |
36.1 |
39.9 |
41.0 |
28.6 |
| Capsize |
1.68 |
1.81 |
1.69 |
1.75 |
1.61 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.8 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
8.4 |
8.2 |