The Comet 13 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, 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 37.7′, the Comet 13 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.7′ LWL = 8.2 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
102s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
16.8
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
28.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.81
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
28.7
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
1.81
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 Comet 13 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Centurion 42
75s/nm
J/42
78s/nm
Sabre 425
96s/nm
Comet 13
102s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
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° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (16.8), 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 Comet 13 — 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 Comet 13.
|
Comet 13 |
Baltic 42 |
Centurion 42 |
First 42S7 Beneteau |
J/42 |
Sabre 425 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
42.6 |
42.4 |
42.4 |
42.5 |
42.5 |
42.4 |
| LWL |
37.7 |
34.1 |
33.2 |
35.8 |
36.0 |
34.7 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
12.5 |
13.3 |
13.5 |
13.5 |
12.8 |
| Displacement |
21 |
19 |
24 |
18 |
19 |
19 |
| Ballast |
7 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
799 |
836 |
886 |
771 |
840 |
766 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
102 |
— |
75 |
— |
78 |
96 |
| SA/Disp |
16.8 |
18.4 |
17.0 |
17.9 |
17.0 |
17.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
— |
39.5 |
— |
42.1 |
42.7 |
| Comfort |
28.7 |
28.8 |
33.3 |
23.3 |
34.1 |
26.8 |
| Capsize |
1.81 |
1.85 |
1.84 |
2.06 |
1.59 |
1.92 |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
7.8 |
7.7 |
8.0 |
9.8 |
7.9 |