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.
With a waterline of 13.8′, the Mercury 15 Fk Cape Cod tops out around 5.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √13.8′ LWL = 5.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
41.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
123
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
5.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Mercury 15 Fk Cape Cod.
| Mercury 15 Fk Cape Cod | Gloucester 15 | Mercury 15 Cb Cape Cod | Montgomery 15 | Mutineer 15 | Precision 15 K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| LWL | 13.8 | 14.1 | 13.8 | 13.0 | 14.1 | 13.8 |
| Beam | 5.4 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Displacement | 730 | 600 | 470 | 475 | 410 | 600 |
| Ballast | 300 | — | — | 175 | — | 250 |
| Sail Area | — | 150 | 119 | 90 | 150 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | — | 33.8 | 31.5 | 23.6 | 43.5 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 41.1 | — | — | 36.8 | — | 41.7 |
| Comfort | — | 5.9 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 4.1 | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.85 | 2.79 | 2.82 | 3.23 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 5.0 | — |