The Cornish Yawl is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 20.7′, the Cornish Yawl tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.7′ 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.
SA / Displacement
15.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Displacement / Length
392
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
32.0
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.72
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
630lbs
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
32.0
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.72
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 Cornish Yawl sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
234s/nm
Snapdragon 24
264s/nm
Seaward 23
273s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.1 kts),
SA/D (15.4), 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 Cornish Yawl — 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 Cornish Yawl.
|
Cornish Yawl |
Leisure 24 |
Pacific Seacraft 25 1 |
Passage 24 |
Seaward 23 |
Snapdragon 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
| LWL |
20.7 |
22.0 |
21.0 |
19.7 |
21.0 |
20.5 |
| Beam |
8.5 |
9.3 |
8.0 |
8.8 |
8.3 |
8.0 |
| Displacement |
7 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
| Ballast |
— |
— |
1 |
3 |
900 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
379 |
280 |
236 |
— |
— |
247 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
234 |
— |
273 |
264 |
| SA/Disp |
15.4 |
15.7 |
13.4 |
— |
— |
16.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
— |
36.8 |
37.7 |
33.3 |
40.3 |
| Comfort |
32.0 |
17.0 |
20.9 |
— |
— |
17.2 |
| Capsize |
1.72 |
2.19 |
1.91 |
— |
— |
2.04 |
| Hull Speed |
6.1 |
6.3 |
6.1 |
— |
— |
6.1 |