The Ohlson 41 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.
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 28.6′, the Ohlson 41 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.6′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
129s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
16.1
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
42.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
382
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
39.3
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.62
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
39.3
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
1.62
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Ohlson 41 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
J/40
78s/nm
Swan 411
87s/nm
Tartan 41
102s/nm
Ohlson 41
129s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
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° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (16.1), 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 Ohlson 41 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Ohlson 41.
|
Ohlson 41 |
Cc 41 |
J/40 |
Rhodes 41 Pearson |
Swan 411 |
Tartan 41 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
40.8 |
40.8 |
40.9 |
40.8 |
40.8 |
40.6 |
| LWL |
28.6 |
33.3 |
35.5 |
28.0 |
33.6 |
32.7 |
| Beam |
11.0 |
12.9 |
13.2 |
10.3 |
11.9 |
12.3 |
| Displacement |
20 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
23 |
17 |
| Ballast |
8 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
738 |
— |
780 |
725 |
873 |
725 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
129 |
— |
78 |
— |
87 |
102 |
| SA/Disp |
16.1 |
— |
17.1 |
16.5 |
17.0 |
17.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
42.5 |
45.7 |
41.7 |
43.0 |
40.8 |
51.5 |
| Comfort |
39.3 |
— |
33.6 |
41.1 |
37.9 |
28.0 |
| Capsize |
1.62 |
— |
1.60 |
1.54 |
1.66 |
1.88 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
— |
9.6 |
7.1 |
7.8 |
7.7 |