What is the Pacific 4245's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Pacific 4245 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.7. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Pacific 4245's comfort ratio?

The Pacific 4245 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 40.99. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Pacific 4245 safe for offshore sailing?

The Pacific 4245 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.67. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Pacific 4245?

The theoretical hull speed of the Pacific 4245 is 7.89 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Pacific 4245 weigh?

The Pacific 4245 has a displacement of 30,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 45.00 ft.

Who designed the Pacific 4245?

The Pacific 4245 was designed by Ted Brewer, first built in 1980.

Pacific 4245 Performance — PHRF Rating, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

Name: Pacific 4245
Brand: Ted Brewer
Availability: OutOfStock

The Pacific 4245 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.9 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 34.7′, the Pacific 4245 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √34.7′ LWL = 7.9 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

15.7

Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.

Comfort Ratio

41.0

Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.

Capsize Screening

1.67

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

7.9kts

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

41.0

Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.67

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 Pacific 4245 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Nassau 45 123s/nm

Formosa 46 128s/nm

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°	3.0	3.8	4.3	4.5
Close Reach60°	3.7	4.6	5.2	5.4
Beam Reach90°	4.5	5.7	6.3	6.6
Broad Reach120–135°	4.1	5.2	5.9	6.1
Run150–180°	3.3	4.2	4.7	4.9

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts), SA/D (15.7), 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 Pacific 4245 — 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 Pacific 4245.

	Pacific 4245	Formosa 46	Hans Christian 45	Irwin 45	Morgan 452	Nassau 45
Dimensions
LOA	45.0	45.0	44.9	45.0	45.0	44.9
LWL	34.7	39.6	34.3	32.0	39.3	34.6
Beam	13.0	12.9	14.0	11.5	13.5	12.8
Displacement	30	33	37	23	30	21
Ballast	9	10	11	10	8	8
Sail Area	954	911	952	882	734	799
Performance
PHRF	—	128	—	—	—	123
SA/Disp	15.7	14.2	13.8	17.5	12.2	16.7
Bal/Disp	—	30.3	30.5	43.5	27.7	41.7
Comfort	41.0	41.0	45.4	38.3	35.4	29.4
Capsize	1.67	1.61	1.68	1.62	1.74	1.84
Hull Speed	7.9	8.4	7.9	7.6	8.4	7.9