The Cuttyhunk 41 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
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 31.0′, the Cuttyhunk 41 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.0′ LWL = 7.5 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
13.4
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
35.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
442
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
44.1
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
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
44.1
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
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 Cuttyhunk 41 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Carib 41
141s/nm
Gulfstar 41
153s/nm
Dickerson 41
180s/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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (13.4), 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 Cuttyhunk 41 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Cuttyhunk 41.
|
Cuttyhunk 41 |
Carib 41 |
Dickerson 41 |
Gulfstar 41 |
Hallberg Rassy 41 |
Morgan Out Island 415 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
| LWL |
31.0 |
35.0 |
31.5 |
33.0 |
34.2 |
34.0 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
14.0 |
12.5 |
12.0 |
11.8 |
13.8 |
| Displacement |
29 |
15 |
24 |
22 |
21 |
27 |
| Ballast |
10 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
799 |
667 |
846 |
691 |
771 |
754 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
141 |
180 |
153 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
13.4 |
17.6 |
16.1 |
14.1 |
15.9 |
13.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
35.9 |
49.9 |
34.7 |
31.8 |
38.4 |
33.3 |
| Comfort |
44.1 |
18.8 |
38.1 |
35.1 |
34.7 |
35.0 |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
2.27 |
1.72 |
1.72 |
1.70 |
1.85 |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.9 |
7.5 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
7.8 |