The Impala 41 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 33.5′, the Impala 41 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.5′ LWL = 7.8 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
32.3
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
48.9%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
231
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
29.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
29.9
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
1.82
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 Impala 41 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Baltic 42 Dp
72s/nm
Swan 42
78s/nm
Niagara 42
111s/nm
Pearson 419
165s/nm
Moody 42
210s/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 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.8 |
7.6 |
7.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.4 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (32.3), 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 Impala 41 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Impala 41.
|
Impala 41 |
Baltic 42 Dp |
Moody 42 |
Niagara 42 |
Pearson 419 |
Swan 42 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.8 |
41.9 |
41.8 |
42.0 |
41.8 |
42.0 |
| LWL |
33.5 |
34.4 |
34.8 |
32.5 |
33.7 |
33.8 |
| Beam |
12.2 |
13.3 |
13.3 |
12.8 |
13.0 |
13.0 |
| Displacement |
19 |
18 |
24 |
19 |
21 |
22 |
| Ballast |
9 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
843 |
762 |
— |
630 |
802 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
72 |
210 |
111 |
165 |
78 |
| SA/Disp |
32.3 |
19.4 |
14.6 |
— |
13.3 |
16.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
48.9 |
43.8 |
27.3 |
40.9 |
— |
41.8 |
| Comfort |
29.9 |
24.6 |
32.2 |
— |
29.5 |
30.9 |
| Capsize |
1.82 |
2.02 |
1.85 |
— |
1.89 |
1.85 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
— |
7.8 |
7.8 |