The Marieholm S 20 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 17.2′, the Marieholm S 20 tops out around 5.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.2′ 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.
SA / Displacement
14.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
28.8%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
241
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
17.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
444lbs
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
17.0
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
2.06
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 Marieholm S 20 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Oday 20
280s/nm
Hunter 20
285s/nm
Montego 19
288s/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° |
2.1 |
2.6 |
2.9 |
3.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.2 |
3.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.6 kts),
SA/D (14.9), 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 Marieholm S 20 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Marieholm S 20.
|
Marieholm S 20 |
Hunter 20 |
Montego 19 |
Nordica 20 |
Oday 20 |
Pen Duick 600 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
19.7 |
19.8 |
19.5 |
19.5 |
19.6 |
19.7 |
| LWL |
17.2 |
17.5 |
17.8 |
16.5 |
17.3 |
16.4 |
| Beam |
7.2 |
7.8 |
7.2 |
7.7 |
7.0 |
7.4 |
| Displacement |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| Ballast |
794 |
750 |
— |
1 |
400 |
573 |
| Sail Area |
183 |
175 |
167 |
188 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
285 |
288 |
— |
280 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
14.9 |
17.6 |
20.0 |
16.3 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
28.8 |
37.5 |
— |
— |
17.0 |
37.1 |
| Comfort |
17.0 |
11.1 |
9.5 |
14.8 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.06 |
2.46 |
2.48 |
2.26 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.6 |
5.6 |
5.7 |
5.4 |
— |
— |