The Passport 515 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 44.0′, the Passport 515 tops out around 8.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √44.0′ LWL = 8.9 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
15.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
34.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
199
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
33.7
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.80
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
33.7
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
1.80
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 Passport 515 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tayana 55
90s/nm
Passport 47
117s/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° |
3.4 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.0 |
7.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.9 kts),
SA/D (15.2), 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 Passport 515 — 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 Passport 515.
|
Passport 515 |
Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk I |
Passport 47 |
Passport 50 |
Tayana 55 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
51.5 |
44.5 |
46.6 |
50.0 |
55.0 |
| LWL |
44.0 |
38.6 |
39.0 |
39.0 |
45.9 |
| Beam |
15.2 |
13.4 |
13.5 |
13.5 |
16.1 |
| Displacement |
38 |
28,000 |
34 |
34 |
48 |
| Ballast |
13 |
10,500 |
12 |
13 |
17 |
| Sail Area |
1,070 |
941 |
1 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
117 |
— |
90 |
| SA/Disp |
15.2 |
16.3 |
15.3 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
34.9 |
37.5 |
— |
38.2 |
36.4 |
| Comfort |
33.7 |
33.6 |
39.8 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.80 |
1.77 |
1.67 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.9 |
8.3 |
8.4 |
— |
— |