The Normandy is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 21.4′, the Normandy tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.4′ LWL = 6.2 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
14.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
34.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.55
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
584lbs
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
34.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.55
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.2 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.2 kts),
SA/D (14.6), 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 Normandy — 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 Normandy.
|
Normandy |
Corinthian 28 |
East Anglian 28 |
Indra 28 |
Luders 27 1960 |
Stella 26 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
27.7 |
27.8 |
27.8 |
27.7 |
27.9 |
27.8 |
| LWL |
21.4 |
21.3 |
21.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
| Beam |
7.6 |
8.7 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.8 |
7.5 |
| Displacement |
7 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
| Ballast |
— |
2 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
355 |
— |
— |
313 |
340 |
— |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
14.6 |
— |
— |
15.3 |
14.1 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
35.0 |
49.5 |
— |
— |
46.0 |
| Comfort |
34.1 |
— |
— |
26.0 |
28.8 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.55 |
— |
— |
1.76 |
1.80 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.2 |
— |
— |
6.0 |
6.0 |
— |