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Performance

Coronado 15 Performance

How the Coronado 15 performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Coronado 15 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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.

4.8 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.

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
42.1
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
78
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
4.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.12
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
4.8kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
4.3
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
3.12
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

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 3.2 3.4
Close Reach60° 2.8 3.5 3.9 4.1
Beam Reach90° 3.4 4.3 4.8 5.2
Broad Reach120–135° 3.1 3.9 4.4 4.8
Run150–180° 2.5 3.2 3.5 3.7
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (4.8 kts), SA/D (42.1), 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 Coronado 15 — 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 Coronado 15.

Coronado 15 Bandit 15 Montgomery 15 Mutineer 15 Precision 15 Cb West Wight Potter 15
Dimensions
LOA 15.3 15.3 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0
LWL — 15.0 13.0 14.1 13.8 11.8
Beam 5.7 5.9 5.5 6.0 7.0 5.5
Displacement 385 260 475 410 390 475
Ballast — — 175 — — 165
Sail Area 139 137 90 150 130 —
Performance
SA/Disp 42.1 53.9 23.6 43.5 39.0 —
Bal/Disp — — 36.8 — — 34.7
Comfort 4.3 2.5 5.5 4.1 3.2 —
Capsize 3.12 3.71 2.82 3.23 3.83 —
Hull Speed 4.8 5.2 4.8 5.0 5.0 —