The Comet 383 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 30.5′, the Comet 383 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.5′ LWL = 7.4 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
24.5
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
36.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
218
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
24.3
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.97
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
24.3
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
1.97
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 383 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Dehler 38
93s/nm
Baltic 39
102s/nm
Diva 39
105s/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° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.5 |
7.3 |
7.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (24.5), 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 Comet 383 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 383.
|
Comet 383 |
Baltic 39 |
Dehler 38 |
Diva 39 |
Sabre 38 Mkii |
Sweden Yachts 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
38.7 |
38.8 |
38.7 |
38.7 |
38.7 |
38.7 |
| LWL |
30.5 |
32.7 |
31.5 |
30.8 |
31.4 |
31.2 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
12.6 |
12.5 |
9.8 |
12.3 |
12.7 |
| Displacement |
13 |
18 |
12 |
9 |
16 |
16 |
| Ballast |
5 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
— |
| Sail Area |
880 |
732 |
627 |
605 |
691 |
741 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
102 |
93 |
105 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
24.5 |
17.1 |
19.1 |
21.0 |
16.9 |
18.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
36.5 |
43.3 |
23.1 |
— |
39.1 |
— |
| Comfort |
24.3 |
27.7 |
19.4 |
22.1 |
27.4 |
25.7 |
| Capsize |
1.97 |
1.92 |
2.17 |
1.83 |
1.93 |
2.00 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.7 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
7.5 |
7.5 |