The Minette 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 15.8′, the Minette tops out around 5.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √15.8′ LWL = 5.3 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
17.8
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
8.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.61
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
402lbs
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
8.9
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
2.61
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
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° |
2.2 |
2.7 |
3.1 |
3.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.3 kts),
SA/D (17.8), 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 Minette — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Minette.
|
Minette |
Alacrity 19 |
Albin 57 |
Cornish Coble |
Junior Folkboat |
Pampero Amel |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
18.8 |
18.5 |
18.8 |
19.0 |
18.7 |
18.8 |
| LWL |
15.8 |
17.0 |
16.4 |
13.3 |
14.8 |
16.4 |
| Beam |
7.2 |
6.9 |
7.9 |
6.0 |
5.7 |
6.6 |
| Displacement |
1 |
1 |
1 |
599 |
1 |
1 |
| Ballast |
551 |
480 |
562 |
— |
606 |
507 |
| Sail Area |
134 |
— |
167 |
131 |
161 |
— |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
17.8 |
— |
18.3 |
29.5 |
19.4 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
32.0 |
31.9 |
— |
39.6 |
39.6 |
| Comfort |
8.9 |
— |
10.1 |
5.7 |
14.5 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.61 |
— |
2.62 |
2.85 |
1.99 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.3 |
— |
5.4 |
4.9 |
5.2 |
— |