The Dragonfly 920 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 28.7′, the Dragonfly 920 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.7′ LWL = 7.2 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
35.9
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Comfort Ratio
3.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
5.54
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
14lbs
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
3.5
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
5.54
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
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Dragonfly 920 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
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° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.9 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (35.9), 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 Dragonfly 920 — 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 Dragonfly 920.
|
Dragonfly 920 |
Dragonfly 920 Extreme |
Farr 92 |
Farr 920 |
J/92 |
Trio 92 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.2 |
30.2 |
30.3 |
30.3 |
30.2 |
30.2 |
| LWL |
28.7 |
28.7 |
25.8 |
23.5 |
25.4 |
24.4 |
| Beam |
22.3 |
25.6 |
9.3 |
10.0 |
10.8 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
8 |
| Ballast |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
581 |
732 |
385 |
— |
450 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
117 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
35.9 |
46.0 |
22.1 |
— |
20.4 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
— |
27.8 |
39.0 |
42.3 |
48.7 |
| Comfort |
3.5 |
— |
13.6 |
13.8 |
23.8 |
21.0 |
| Capsize |
5.54 |
— |
2.24 |
2.36 |
1.71 |
2.09 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
— |
6.8 |
6.5 |
7.7 |
6.6 |