The Flatfish is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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 16.1′, the Flatfish tops out around 5.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √16.1′ LWL = 5.4 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
20.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Displacement / Length
332
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
18.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
431lbs
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
18.8
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
2.06
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 Flatfish sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Santana 20
228s/nm
Cal 21
261s/nm
Newport 20
267s/nm
Balboa 20
276s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.4 kts),
SA/D (20.1), 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 Flatfish — 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 Flatfish.
|
Flatfish |
Balboa 20 |
Buccaneer 200 |
Cal 21 |
Newport 20 |
Santana 20 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
20.3 |
20.0 |
20.4 |
20.5 |
20.5 |
20.2 |
| LWL |
16.1 |
17.5 |
17.8 |
16.7 |
18.0 |
16.0 |
| Beam |
7.5 |
7.1 |
8.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
8.0 |
| Displacement |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
| Ballast |
— |
450 |
750 |
360 |
900 |
550 |
| Sail Area |
266 |
— |
191 |
196 |
196 |
204 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
276 |
— |
261 |
267 |
228 |
| SA/Disp |
20.1 |
— |
18.7 |
29.5 |
17.1 |
26.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
26.5 |
— |
32.7 |
— |
40.7 |
| Comfort |
18.8 |
— |
11.0 |
7.6 |
15.4 |
7.6 |
| Capsize |
2.06 |
— |
2.50 |
2.59 |
2.07 |
2.90 |
| Hull Speed |
5.4 |
— |
5.7 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
5.4 |