The Com-Pac 23-3 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.3′, the Com-Pac 23-3 tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.3′ LWL = 6.0 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
44.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
161
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
2.22
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
648lbs
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
2.22
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 Com-Pac 23-3 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Com-Pac 27
201s/nm
Com-Pac 25
222s/nm
Catalina 22
276s/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° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.0 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 Com-Pac 23-3 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Com-Pac 23-3.
|
Com-Pac 23-3 |
Catalina 22 |
Com-Pac 19 |
Com-Pac 25 |
Com-Pac 27 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
23.9 |
23.8 |
19.0 |
25.0 |
29.6 |
| LWL |
20.3 |
19.3 |
16.5 |
21.5 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
8.0 |
7.7 |
7.5 |
8.8 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
3,000 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
5,500 |
| Ballast |
1,340 |
550 |
750 |
1 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
240 |
212 |
165 |
248 |
350 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
276 |
— |
222 |
201 |
| SA/Disp |
18.5 |
19.8 |
15.6 |
15.2 |
15.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
44.7 |
24.4 |
34.1 |
38.1 |
38.9 |
| Comfort |
13.5 |
11.1 |
13.4 |
15.9 |
19.5 |
| Capsize |
2.22 |
2.34 |
2.31 |
2.17 |
2.15 |
| Hull Speed |
6.0 |
5.9 |
5.4 |
6.2 |
6.7 |