The Coronado 45 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.
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 34.4′, the Coronado 45 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.4′ LWL = 7.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
111s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
15.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
49.2%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
274
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
36.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.69
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
36.2
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
1.69
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 Coronado 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Coronado 45
111s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Columbia 45
120s/nm
Endeavour 43
132s/nm
Lancer 45
162s/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° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts),
SA/D (15.3), 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 Coronado 45 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 45.
|
Coronado 45 |
Cal 46 Iii 1975 |
Columbia 45 |
Endeavour 43 |
Lancer 45 |
Morgan 45 4 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.3 |
45.5 |
45.3 |
45.3 |
45.0 |
45.3 |
| LWL |
34.4 |
37.5 |
34.5 |
35.0 |
37.3 |
36.8 |
| Beam |
12.3 |
12.5 |
12.3 |
14.0 |
13.8 |
13.4 |
| Displacement |
25 |
30 |
25 |
33 |
24 |
22 |
| Ballast |
12 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
7 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
812 |
855 |
698 |
1,030 |
907 |
902 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
111 |
— |
120 |
132 |
162 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.3 |
14.2 |
13.1 |
16.1 |
17.5 |
18.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.2 |
26.7 |
41.2 |
36.4 |
29.2 |
— |
| Comfort |
36.2 |
40.2 |
36.1 |
39.9 |
28.6 |
27.8 |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
1.61 |
1.69 |
1.75 |
1.91 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
7.9 |
8.2 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
8.2 |
8.1 |