Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.8 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 18.5′, the Pearson 24 tops out around 5.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.5′ LWL = 5.8 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
252s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
41.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
303
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
5.8kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 24 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Santana 23 D
Ranger 23
Precision 23
Pearson 24
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 24.
| Pearson 24 | Hunter 235 | Precision 23 | Ranger 23 | Santana 23 D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||||
| LOA | 23.5 | 23.5 | 23.4 | 23.7 | 23.3 |
| LWL | 18.5 | 20.5 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.6 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 8.8 |
| Displacement | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Ballast | 1 | 1 | 850 | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 250 | 248 | 244 | 284 |
| Performance | |||||
| PHRF | 252 | — | 243 | 222 | 174 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.4 | 21.9 | 17.3 | 24.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 41.9 | 39.5 | — | — | 43.5 |
| Comfort | — | 12.5 | 10.4 | 15.8 | 10.3 |
| Capsize | — | 2.31 | 2.53 | 2.11 | 2.57 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 |