The Feeling 546 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 43.0′, the Feeling 546 tops out around 8.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √43.0′ LWL = 8.8 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
21.0
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
32.3%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
223
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
30.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.01
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
16lbs
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
30.0
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
2.01
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 Feeling 546 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
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° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
6.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.8 |
7.3 |
8.2 |
8.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.3 |
6.8 |
7.5 |
7.9 |
| Run150–180° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.8 kts),
SA/D (21.0), 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 Feeling 546 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Feeling 546.
|
Feeling 546 |
Alden 54 |
Hylas 55 |
Oyster 55 |
Swan 55Cc Frers |
Taswell 56 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
55.4 |
54.1 |
55.4 |
56.3 |
55.0 |
55.8 |
| LWL |
43.0 |
40.0 |
45.8 |
45.4 |
42.9 |
46.8 |
| Beam |
17.1 |
14.3 |
15.8 |
15.8 |
15.9 |
16.5 |
| Displacement |
39 |
36 |
47 |
51 |
52 |
48 |
| Ballast |
12 |
15 |
20 |
13 |
19 |
19 |
| Sail Area |
1,520 |
1 |
— |
1 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
60 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
21.0 |
17.8 |
— |
18.6 |
15.6 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
32.3 |
41.1 |
42.4 |
— |
— |
40.4 |
| Comfort |
30.0 |
36.8 |
38.1 |
41.2 |
43.4 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.01 |
1.73 |
1.75 |
1.70 |
1.71 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.8 |
8.5 |
9.1 |
9.0 |
8.8 |
— |