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North Star 600
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Northstar Yachts Ltd.  ·  First built: 1975
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About the North Star 600

Designed as a capable and accessible cruising sailboat, the North Star 600 appeals to sailors seeking a reliable vessel for coastal and inland waterway exploration. Built with an emphasis on ease of handling, this boat suits both newcomers to sailing and experienced cruisers looking for a manageable, practical platform that doesn't sacrifice seaworthiness for simplicity. The North Star 600 carries a reputation as a sturdy, well-balanced design that performs predictably in a range of conditions. Its modest size makes it well suited to day sailing, weekend cruising, and exploring sheltered coastal waters, while still offering enough capability to handle more demanding passages when conditions call for it. The hull form prioritizes stability and comfort, qualities that cruising sailors tend to value highly when spending extended time aboard. While detailed specifications are limited, the boat's enduring presence in the sailing community speaks to its fundamental soundness as a design. For those researching a first keelboat or a straightforward cruiser without unnecessary complexity, the North Star 600 represents a sensible, approachable option worth investigating further through owner communities and hands-on inspection.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 25.96 ft / 7.91 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.25 ft / 6.17 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 4,598.00 lb / 2,086 kg
Ballast 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 296.00 ft² / 27.50 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder NorthStar Yachts Ltd.
First Built 1975
Last Built 1977
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
228
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
17.18
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
17.33
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.17
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.03
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.22
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 651.2
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.5
SA Fore 170.5
SA Main 125.88
How It Compares

vs. Pembroke 26 Westerly, S2 80 B, Yankee 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
North Star 600 ★
26.0 ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
26.0 ft
S2 80 B
26.0 ft
Yankee 26
26.0 ft
LWL
North Star 600 ★
20.3 ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
21.3 ft
S2 80 B
21.4 ft
Yankee 26
20.7 ft
Beam
North Star 600 ★
9.0 ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
8.3 ft
S2 80 B
8.0 ft
Yankee 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
North Star 600 ★
4 lbs
Pembroke 26 Westerly
6 lbs
S2 80 B
4 lbs
Yankee 26
5 lbs
Ballast
North Star 600 ★
2 lbs
Pembroke 26 Westerly
2 lbs
S2 80 B
1 lbs
Yankee 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
North Star 600 ★
296 sq ft
Pembroke 26 Westerly
210 sq ft
S2 80 B
282 sq ft
Yankee 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
North Star 600 ★
228 s/nm
Pembroke 26 Westerly
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
North Star 600 ★
17.2
Pembroke 26 Westerly
9.6
S2 80 B
16.4
Yankee 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
North Star 600 ★
Pembroke 26 Westerly
37.7 %
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
40.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
North Star 600 ★
17.3
Pembroke 26 Westerly
26.6
S2 80 B
19.5
Yankee 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
North Star 600 ★
2.17
Pembroke 26 Westerly
1.78
S2 80 B
1.93
Yankee 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
North Star 600 ★
Pembroke 26 Westerly
302
S2 80 B
Yankee 26
269
Hull Speed
North Star 600 ★
6.0 kts
Pembroke 26 Westerly
6.2 kts
S2 80 B
6.2 kts
Yankee 26
Speed Number (higher = faster)
North Star 600 ★
2.2
Pembroke 26 Westerly
S2 80 B
2.6
Yankee 26
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