Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.0′, the Hinckley 21 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.0′ LWL = 6.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
240s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
34.8%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
436
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
6.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Hinckley 21 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Columbia 29
Rhodes Ranger 29
Hinckley 21
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hinckley 21.
| Hinckley 21 | Cambridge Cadet | Columbia 29 | Columbia 29 Mkii | Rhodes Ranger 29 | Yachting World Seahorse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 28.5 | 28.6 | 28.5 | 28.5 | 28.5 | 28.6 |
| LWL | 21.0 | — | 22.5 | 22.5 | 20.0 | 25.3 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| Displacement | 9 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Ballast | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | — | 388 | 387 | 328 | 366 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 240 | — | 218 | — | 239 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | — | 16.4 | 15.0 | 13.2 | 17.8 |
| Bal/Disp | 34.8 | 29.0 | 42.2 | 48.8 | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 53.1 | 29.5 | 33.5 | 34.2 | 21.0 |
| Capsize | — | 1.38 | 1.64 | 1.58 | 1.60 | 1.84 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.0 | 6.7 |