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Performance

Lm 16 Performance

How the Lm 16 performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Lm 16 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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.

5.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.

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
12.8
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Displacement / Length
309
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
16.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Hull Speed
5.0kts
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
16.0
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

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Lm 16 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Precision 165 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° 1.7 2.2 2.5 2.6
Close Reach60° 2.1 2.7 3.0 3.1
Beam Reach90° 2.6 3.3 3.7 3.8
Broad Reach120–135° 2.4 3.0 3.4 3.5
Run150–180° 1.9 2.4 2.7 2.8
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.0 kts), SA/D (12.8), 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 Lm 16 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts 8–22 kts 22–30 kts 30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Lm 16.

Lm 16 Grampian 17 Hawk 16 Pearson Overnighter 16 Precision 165 Tanzer 16
Dimensions
LOA 16.4 16.5 16.3 16.3 16.4 16.3
LWL — 15.5 13.0 15.6 15.3 15.3
Beam 6.6 6.2 6.0 6.2 7.2 6.2
Displacement 1 490 575 500 750 450
Ballast — — — — 250 —
Sail Area 121 152 123 135 159 —
Performance
PHRF — — — — 270 —
SA/Disp 12.8 39.2 28.5 34.3 30.9 —
Bal/Disp — — — — 33.3 —
Comfort 16.0 4.2 5.8 4.3 5.4 —
Capsize — 3.14 2.89 3.11 3.15 —
Hull Speed 5.0 5.3 4.8 5.3 5.2 —