The Ericson 41 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 29.2′, the Ericson 41 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.2′ 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.
PHRF Rating
135s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
17.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
46.1%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
320
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
35.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.64
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
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
35.8
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
1.64
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 Ericson 41 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Islander 41 Gurney
114s/nm
Ericson 41
135s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Tartan Tock 40
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° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.1 |
6.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (17.2), 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 Ericson 41 — 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 Ericson 41.
|
Ericson 41 |
Hinckley 41 Competition |
Islander 41 Gurney |
Morgan Out Island 41 |
Redline 41 Mkii Cc |
Tartan Tock 40 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.3 |
41.2 |
41.2 |
41.3 |
41.4 |
41.3 |
| LWL |
29.2 |
29.8 |
34.7 |
34.0 |
30.0 |
32.3 |
| Beam |
10.7 |
10.3 |
13.0 |
13.8 |
11.2 |
13.3 |
| Displacement |
17 |
19 |
21 |
27 |
19 |
24 |
| Ballast |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
732 |
729 |
870 |
670 |
776 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
135 |
— |
114 |
— |
— |
162 |
| SA/Disp |
17.2 |
16.4 |
17.9 |
12.0 |
17.2 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
46.1 |
42.1 |
44.3 |
— |
48.8 |
37.0 |
| Comfort |
35.8 |
39.8 |
30.4 |
34.9 |
36.2 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.64 |
1.54 |
1.86 |
1.85 |
1.66 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.3 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
7.3 |
— |