The Kiwi 22 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 17.5′, the Kiwi 22 tops out around 5.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.5′ LWL = 5.6 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
210s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
22.2
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Comfort Ratio
11.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.30
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
438lbs
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
11.2
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
2.30
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Kiwi 22 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Impulse 21
183s/nm
Kiwi 22
210s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Irwin 21 Free Spirit
215s/nm
Amf 2100
240s/nm
Clipper Marine 21
270s/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° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.6 kts),
SA/D (22.2), 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 Kiwi 22 — 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 Kiwi 22.
|
Kiwi 22 |
Amf 2100 |
Clipper Marine 21 |
Impulse 21 |
Irwin 21 Free Spirit |
Mistral T 21 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
21.0 |
21.1 |
20.9 |
21.0 |
21.0 |
21.0 |
| LWL |
17.5 |
17.6 |
16.7 |
18.5 |
16.5 |
18.7 |
| Beam |
7.0 |
8.0 |
7.3 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.2 |
| Displacement |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Ballast |
— |
850 |
410 |
600 |
750 |
770 |
| Sail Area |
205 |
209 |
192 |
208 |
202 |
280 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
210 |
240 |
270 |
183 |
215 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
22.2 |
19.8 |
20.8 |
28.0 |
21.9 |
23.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
38.6 |
22.8 |
46.2 |
41.7 |
28.5 |
| Comfort |
11.2 |
11.4 |
11.1 |
6.5 |
9.8 |
13.2 |
| Capsize |
2.30 |
2.46 |
2.39 |
2.93 |
2.63 |
2.35 |
| Hull Speed |
5.6 |
5.6 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
5.4 |
5.8 |