The Comet 301 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 22.8′, the Comet 301 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.8′ LWL = 6.4 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
23.0
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
29.8%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
266
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
21.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.99
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
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
21.7
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
1.99
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 301 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
X 95
147s/nm
Pearson 303
198s/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 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (23.0), 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 301 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–14 kts
14–22 kts
22+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–14 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
14–22 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
22+ 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 301.
|
Comet 301 |
First 30 E Beneteau Berret |
First 305 Beneteau |
Pearson 303 |
Suspens Archambault |
X 95 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.4 |
30.5 |
30.5 |
30.3 |
30.4 |
30.3 |
| LWL |
22.8 |
27.0 |
26.8 |
25.4 |
25.6 |
26.3 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
10.7 |
10.5 |
10.9 |
9.8 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
7 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
527 |
392 |
410 |
459 |
450 |
450 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
198 |
— |
147 |
| SA/Disp |
23.0 |
17.1 |
16.1 |
15.8 |
21.6 |
20.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
29.8 |
40.6 |
36.1 |
34.7 |
29.9 |
47.5 |
| Comfort |
21.7 |
16.6 |
19.9 |
24.1 |
16.7 |
16.5 |
| Capsize |
1.99 |
2.23 |
2.08 |
2.02 |
2.16 |
2.23 |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
7.0 |
6.9 |
6.8 |
6.8 |
6.9 |