The Contest 250C is 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.
6.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.5′, the Contest 250C tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.5′ LWL = 6.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
39.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
200
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
14.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.30
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
6.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
661lbs
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
14.7
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
2.30
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 Contest 250C sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Capri 25 Catalina
Ericson 25
Lancer 25
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Contest 250C.
| Contest 250C | Capri 25 Catalina | Ericson 25 | First 25 Beneteau | Lancer 25 | Tanzer 75 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 24.6 | 24.6 | 24.7 | 24.6 | 24.7 | 24.6 |
| LWL | 20.5 | 19.2 | 20.8 | 21.8 | 20.1 | 21.8 |
| Beam | 9.0 | 9.2 | 8.0 | 9.2 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ballast | 1 | 900 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 276 | 265 | 282 | 248 | 236 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 174 | 222 | — | 264 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 21.5 | 14.4 | 18.1 | 17.6 | 15.6 |
| Bal/Disp | 39.1 | 30.5 | 49.0 | 38.9 | — | 42.1 |
| Comfort | 14.7 | 11.5 | 22.5 | 14.1 | 15.3 | 16.2 |
| Capsize | 2.30 | 2.56 | 1.86 | 2.33 | 2.13 | 2.05 |
| Hull Speed | 6.1 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 6.3 |