The Falcon 34 Westerly is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.0′, the Falcon 34 Westerly tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.0′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
45.5%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
286
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
23.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.11
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.0kts
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
23.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.11
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 Falcon 34 Westerly sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Pearson 34
Tartan 33
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Falcon 34 Westerly.
| Falcon 34 Westerly | Friendship 33 | Hallberg Rassy 34 | Pearson 34 | S2 103 | Tartan 33 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 33.7 | 33.6 | 33.7 | 33.8 | 33.8 | 33.7 |
| LWL | 27.0 | 25.9 | 28.5 | 28.1 | 28.0 | 28.8 |
| Beam | 12.3 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 11.2 | 11.3 | 11.0 |
| Displacement | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Ballast | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 519 | 592 | 550 | 564 | 531 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 144 | — | 153 |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.6 | 18.5 | 17.6 | 18.9 | 18.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 45.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 | — | — | — |
| Comfort | 23.9 | 21.7 | 24.0 | 23.4 | 21.5 | 21.0 |
| Capsize | 2.11 | 2.05 | 1.98 | 2.00 | 2.07 | 2.04 |
| Hull Speed | 7.0 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.2 |