The Frisco Flyer is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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 19.5′, the Frisco Flyer tops out around 5.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √19.5′ LWL = 5.9 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
306s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
16.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
331
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
29.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.63
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
500lbs
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
29.1
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
1.63
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 Frisco Flyer sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Coronado 25
231s/nm
Cape Dory 25D
234s/nm
South Coast 25
258s/nm
Frisco Flyer
306s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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 |
3.2 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.9 kts),
SA/D (16.0), 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 Frisco Flyer — 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 Frisco Flyer.
|
Frisco Flyer |
Cape Dory 25D |
Coronado 25 |
Pacific Clipper |
South Coast 25 |
Vertue |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
| LWL |
19.5 |
19.0 |
20.1 |
19.5 |
20.5 |
21.5 |
| Beam |
7.2 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.2 |
7.5 |
7.2 |
| Displacement |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
311 |
304 |
299 |
— |
299 |
395 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
306 |
234 |
231 |
— |
258 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.0 |
16.4 |
17.6 |
— |
18.4 |
14.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.7 |
40.0 |
47.8 |
40.7 |
42.9 |
— |
| Comfort |
29.1 |
23.8 |
20.2 |
29.1 |
20.3 |
47.7 |
| Capsize |
1.63 |
1.86 |
1.94 |
1.63 |
1.86 |
1.35 |
| Hull Speed |
5.9 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
6.2 |