The Microsail Mull is 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.
5.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 16.4′, the Microsail Mull tops out around 5.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √16.4′ LWL = 5.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Comfort Ratio
7.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.93
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
5.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
471lbs
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
7.5
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
2.93
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 Microsail Mull sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Hunter 18
Catalina 18
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Microsail Mull.
| Microsail Mull | Capri 18 Catalina | Catalina 18 | Hunter 18 | Neptune 550 | Swift 18 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| LWL | 16.4 | 16.3 | 15.8 | 15.5 | 17.2 | 16.3 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Displacement | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ballast | 507 | 425 | 500 | 500 | 330 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 155 | 152 | 145 | 183 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 289 | 282 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.0 | 19.9 | 18.5 | 26.1 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 28.3 | 37.0 | 35.7 | 27.7 | — |
| Comfort | 7.5 | 9.3 | 8.2 | 9.0 | 6.6 | — |
| Capsize | 2.93 | 2.65 | 2.81 | 2.68 | 3.04 | — |
| Hull Speed | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.6 | — |