The Ls-10 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, 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 27.0′, the Ls-10 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.0′ LWL = 7.0 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
21.3
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
47.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
159
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
24.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.62
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
24.4
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
1.62
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 Ls-10 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Olson 30
100s/nm
Tartan 10
126s/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° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
7.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (21.3), 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 Ls-10 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 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 Ls-10.
|
Ls-10 |
J-29 |
J-35 |
Olson 30 |
Tartan 10 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.0 |
29.5 |
35.4 |
30.0 |
33.1 |
| LWL |
27.0 |
25.0 |
30.0 |
27.5 |
27.0 |
| Beam |
7.8 |
11.8 |
11.7 |
9.3 |
9.3 |
| Displacement |
7 |
6,000 |
10,500 |
3 |
6 |
| Ballast |
3 |
— |
4,400 |
1 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
486 |
— |
— |
380 |
486 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
100 |
126 |
| SA/Disp |
21.3 |
— |
— |
26.0 |
22.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
47.7 |
— |
41.9 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
24.4 |
13.1 |
19.3 |
10.1 |
18.5 |
| Capsize |
1.62 |
2.60 |
2.13 |
2.44 |
1.97 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
6.7 |
7.3 |
7.0 |
7.0 |