The Kiwi 24 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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 20.5′, the Kiwi 24 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.5′ 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
210s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
16.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
15.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.38
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
708lbs
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
15.0
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
2.38
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 24 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Melges 24
93s/nm
Wavelength 24
162s/nm
Kiwi 24
210s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
San Juan 24
222s/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 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.1 kts),
SA/D (16.9), 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 24 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 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 Kiwi 24.
|
Kiwi 24 |
Cc 24 |
J24 |
Melges 24 |
San Juan 24 |
Wavelength 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
| LWL |
20.5 |
19.5 |
20.0 |
22.0 |
19.5 |
20.3 |
| Beam |
9.7 |
8.8 |
8.9 |
8.2 |
8.0 |
9.0 |
| Displacement |
4 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
| Ballast |
2 |
1 |
950 |
650 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
279 |
252 |
262 |
291 |
246 |
288 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
210 |
— |
— |
93 |
222 |
162 |
| SA/Disp |
16.9 |
18.6 |
19.8 |
32.1 |
18.2 |
25.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
32.8 |
— |
37.1 |
51.6 |
— |
| Comfort |
15.0 |
13.1 |
12.3 |
7.3 |
14.9 |
9.7 |
| Capsize |
2.38 |
2.39 |
2.44 |
2.72 |
2.17 |
2.66 |
| Hull Speed |
6.1 |
5.9 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
5.9 |
6.0 |