The Comet 41 S is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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 35.8′, the Comet 41 S tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √35.8′ LWL = 8.0 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
21.3
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
31.3%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
172
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
24.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.98
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
24.2
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
1.98
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 41 S sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Swan 42
78s/nm
Bavaria 41
108s/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° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.3 |
6.7 |
7.5 |
8.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.0 kts),
SA/D (21.3), 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 Comet 41 S — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 41 S.
|
Comet 41 S |
Bavaria 41 |
Dufour 41 2 |
Oceanis 41 Beneteau |
Sun Fast 41 Jeanneau |
Swan 42 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.8 |
41.7 |
41.8 |
41.7 |
41.7 |
42.0 |
| LWL |
35.8 |
36.1 |
36.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
33.8 |
| Beam |
12.9 |
13.8 |
14.1 |
13.8 |
13.5 |
13.0 |
| Displacement |
17 |
20 |
21 |
20 |
16 |
22 |
| Ballast |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
897 |
807 |
9 |
807 |
925 |
802 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
108 |
— |
— |
— |
78 |
| SA/Disp |
21.3 |
17.2 |
201.8 |
17.2 |
22.8 |
16.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
31.3 |
35.5 |
26.9 |
35.5 |
40.0 |
41.8 |
| Comfort |
24.2 |
23.6 |
25.4 |
25.5 |
21.2 |
30.9 |
| Capsize |
1.98 |
2.02 |
2.04 |
2.02 |
2.12 |
1.85 |
| Hull Speed |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.1 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.8 |