The Maica is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 24.6′, the Maica tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.6′ LWL = 6.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
12.4
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
48.2%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
363
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
35.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.57
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
885lbs
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
35.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.57
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 Maica sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Contessa 32
174s/nm
Contessa 26
219s/nm
Alberg 30
228s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.2 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (12.4), 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 Maica — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Maica.
|
Maica |
Alberg 30 |
Contessa 26 |
Contessa 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.4 |
30.3 |
25.5 |
32.0 |
| LWL |
24.6 |
21.7 |
20.0 |
24.0 |
| Beam |
9.0 |
8.8 |
7.5 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
12,125 |
9 |
5 |
9 |
| Ballast |
5,841 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
409 |
410 |
233 |
433 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
228 |
219 |
174 |
| SA/Disp |
12.4 |
15.2 |
12.2 |
15.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
48.2 |
36.7 |
42.6 |
47.4 |
| Comfort |
35.5 |
31.9 |
26.3 |
27.7 |
| Capsize |
1.57 |
1.69 |
1.71 |
1.80 |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.2 |
6.0 |
6.6 |