The Helmsman 43 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.
8.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 36.8′, the Helmsman 43 tops out around 8.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.8′ LWL = 8.1 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
43.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
169
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
28.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.77
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
8.1kts
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
28.2
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
1.77
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 Helmsman 43 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Tartan 43
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Helmsman 43.
| Helmsman 43 | Cc 43 2 | First 42 Beneteau | Hinckley 43 Hood 2 | Swan 43 Holland | Tartan 43 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 43.0 | 43.0 | 42.9 | 42.8 | 42.8 | 43.0 |
| LWL | 36.8 | 34.7 | 36.0 | 33.8 | 34.1 | 32.4 |
| Beam | 11.8 | 13.8 | 13.1 | 12.3 | 13.1 | 12.3 |
| Displacement | 18 | 18 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 17 |
| Ballast | 8 | — | 8 | — | 9 | 9 |
| Sail Area | — | 847 | 782 | 815 | 880 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | — | 101 |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.2 | 17.8 | 15.1 | 16.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 43.5 | — | 47.1 | — | — | 51.7 |
| Comfort | 28.2 | 23.8 | 24.8 | 38.0 | 33.4 | — |
| Capsize | 1.77 | 2.08 | 1.97 | 1.68 | 1.81 | — |
| Hull Speed | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | — |