The Hirsch 62 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.
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 50.0′, the Hirsch 62 tops out around 9.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √50.0′ LWL = 9.5 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
15.5
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
29.7%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
221
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
45.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.60
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
45.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.60
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 Hirsch 62 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Swan 61
9s/nm
Little Harbor 62
42s/nm
Ocean 62
87s/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° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.8 |
7.6 |
7.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.9 |
6.3 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (9.5 kts),
SA/D (15.5), 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 Hirsch 62 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Hirsch 62.
|
Hirsch 62 |
Gulfstar 63 |
Little Harbor 62 |
Morgan 60 |
Ocean 62 |
Swan 61 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
62.0 |
63.0 |
62.0 |
59.9 |
62.0 |
60.5 |
| LWL |
50.0 |
51.5 |
49.5 |
50.0 |
48.0 |
48.2 |
| Beam |
15.8 |
16.2 |
16.3 |
15.8 |
16.3 |
16.4 |
| Displacement |
62 |
68 |
91 |
60 |
48 |
61 |
| Ballast |
18 |
23 |
31 |
19 |
— |
20 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
852 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
42 |
— |
87 |
9 |
| SA/Disp |
15.5 |
14.0 |
15.1 |
— |
10.4 |
17.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
29.7 |
33.8 |
— |
31.7 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
45.2 |
47.0 |
64.1 |
— |
34.5 |
43.8 |
| Capsize |
1.60 |
1.59 |
1.46 |
— |
1.80 |
1.67 |
| Hull Speed |
9.5 |
9.6 |
9.4 |
— |
9.3 |
9.3 |