The Flying Fifteen 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 15.0′, the Flying Fifteen tops out around 5.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √15.0′ LWL = 5.2 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
28.2
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
51.3%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
96
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
5.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.12
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
375lbs
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
5.1
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
3.12
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 Flying Fifteen sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Highlander
191s/nm
Harbor 20
222s/nm
Ranger 20
240s/nm
Cal 20
258s/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° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
5.1 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.2 kts),
SA/D (28.2), 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 Flying Fifteen — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Flying Fifteen.
|
Flying Fifteen |
Cal 20 |
Flying Dutchman |
Harbor 20 |
Highlander |
Ranger 20 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
20.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
| LWL |
15.0 |
18.0 |
— |
17.0 |
19.7 |
16.0 |
| Beam |
7.0 |
7.0 |
5.9 |
7.0 |
6.7 |
7.9 |
| Displacement |
725 |
1 |
287 |
1 |
830 |
1 |
| Ballast |
372 |
900 |
— |
900 |
— |
550 |
| Sail Area |
142 |
195 |
200 |
220 |
225 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
258 |
— |
222 |
191 |
240 |
| SA/Disp |
28.2 |
20.0 |
73.6 |
23.8 |
40.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
51.3 |
46.2 |
— |
50.0 |
— |
36.7 |
| Comfort |
5.1 |
12.1 |
2.3 |
11.6 |
5.2 |
— |
| Capsize |
3.12 |
2.24 |
3.58 |
2.30 |
2.84 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.2 |
5.7 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.9 |
— |