Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 39.6′, the Nauticat 52 tops out around 8.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √39.6′ LWL = 8.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
27.1%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
403
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
8.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
13lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Nauticat 52 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Skye 51
Irwin 52
Tatoosh 51
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Nauticat 52.
| Nauticat 52 | Antigua 53 | Gulfstar 52 Ms | Irwin 52 | Skye 51 | Tatoosh 51 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 51.2 | 51.6 | 51.7 | 52.0 | 50.8 | 50.6 |
| LWL | 39.6 | 43.0 | 45.3 | 44.0 | 42.9 | 42.1 |
| Beam | 15.0 | 15.0 | 13.9 | 15.3 | 14.3 | 15.4 |
| Displacement | 56 | 48 | 38 | 55 | 38 | 44 |
| Ballast | 15 | 15 | 8 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| Sail Area | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 117 | 59 | 120 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.1 | 16.7 | 15.2 | 17.7 | 15.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 27.1 | 32.3 | 21.1 | 29.3 | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 44.2 | 37.3 | 48.3 | 38.4 | 39.9 |
| Capsize | — | 1.65 | 1.66 | 1.62 | 1.69 | 1.75 |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.8 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 |