The Ph 41 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 31.3′, the Ph 41 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.3′ LWL = 7.5 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
23.8
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
46.5%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
240
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
27.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.89
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
27.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.89
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 Ph 41 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Gulfstar 41
153s/nm
Ct 41
204s/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° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.6 |
7.4 |
7.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (23.8), 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 Ph 41 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 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 Ph 41.
|
Ph 41 |
Ct 41 |
Gulfstar 41 |
Hallberg Rassy 41 |
Newport 41S |
Sweden Yachts 41 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
41.0 |
| LWL |
31.3 |
32.5 |
33.0 |
34.2 |
30.0 |
32.7 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
12.1 |
12.0 |
11.8 |
11.3 |
12.8 |
| Displacement |
16 |
27 |
22 |
21 |
18 |
18 |
| Ballast |
7 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
960 |
792 |
691 |
771 |
750 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
204 |
153 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
23.8 |
14.0 |
14.1 |
15.9 |
17.5 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
46.5 |
32.7 |
— |
38.4 |
45.6 |
43.5 |
| Comfort |
27.2 |
43.8 |
35.1 |
34.7 |
33.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.89 |
1.61 |
1.72 |
1.70 |
1.72 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
7.3 |
— |