The Herreshoff 15 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 Herreshoff 15 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
26.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
35.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
370
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
19.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.90
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
357lbs
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
19.3
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
1.90
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 Herreshoff 15 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Buzzards Bay 15
193s/nm
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
234s/nm
Watch Hill 15
237s/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 |
5.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.2 kts),
SA/D (26.7), 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 Herreshoff 15 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Herreshoff 15.
|
Herreshoff 15 |
Buzzards Bay 15 |
Cornish Yawl |
Pacific Seacraft 25 1 |
Typhoon 25 Warner |
Watch Hill 15 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
| LWL |
15.0 |
15.0 |
20.7 |
21.0 |
20.3 |
15.0 |
| Beam |
6.7 |
6.7 |
8.5 |
8.0 |
9.0 |
6.7 |
| Displacement |
2 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
11 |
2 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
— |
1 |
3 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
330 |
331 |
379 |
236 |
300 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
193 |
— |
234 |
— |
237 |
| SA/Disp |
26.7 |
29.4 |
15.4 |
13.4 |
9.5 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
35.7 |
41.1 |
— |
36.8 |
30.4 |
35.7 |
| Comfort |
19.3 |
16.8 |
32.0 |
20.9 |
44.1 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.90 |
1.99 |
1.72 |
1.91 |
1.60 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.2 |
5.2 |
6.1 |
6.1 |
6.0 |
— |