The Dominant 95 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.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.3′, the Dominant 95 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.3′ LWL = 6.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
22.6
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
44.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
158
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.98
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
18.0
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
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
18.6
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
1.98
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 Dominant 95 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Niagara 31
162s/nm
Maxi 95
174s/nm
Contest 31
219s/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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (22.6), 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 Dominant 95 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 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 Dominant 95.
|
Dominant 95 |
Comfort 32 |
Contest 31 |
Maxi 95 |
Niagara 31 |
Spirit 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
31.2 |
31.1 |
31.2 |
31.2 |
31.3 |
31.1 |
| LWL |
26.3 |
24.6 |
23.4 |
25.6 |
24.3 |
— |
| Beam |
9.2 |
10.7 |
9.3 |
10.5 |
10.3 |
10.4 |
| Displacement |
6 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
| Ballast |
2 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
484 |
651 |
386 |
402 |
492 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
219 |
174 |
162 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
22.6 |
22.3 |
12.9 |
14.4 |
19.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
44.8 |
39.8 |
53.5 |
— |
44.4 |
42.9 |
| Comfort |
18.6 |
25.0 |
32.2 |
23.5 |
21.1 |
22.5 |
| Capsize |
1.98 |
1.99 |
1.71 |
1.99 |
2.05 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
6.7 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
6.6 |
6.9 |