The Premier 45 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 42.5′, the Premier 45 tops out around 8.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √42.5′ LWL = 8.7 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
27.3
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
41.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
103
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
19.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
19.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Premier 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
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° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
6.1 |
7.7 |
8.6 |
9.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.6 |
7.1 |
8.0 |
8.6 |
| Run150–180° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.7 kts),
SA/D (27.3), 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 Premier 45 — 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 Premier 45.
|
Premier 45 |
Contest 42Cs |
Imx 45 |
Moody 45 Ds |
Outremer 45 |
Tartan 4400 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.0 |
45.0 |
— |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
| LWL |
42.5 |
38.2 |
39.3 |
42.4 |
44.6 |
37.5 |
| Beam |
13.6 |
13.5 |
13.6 |
15.0 |
23.6 |
14.1 |
| Displacement |
17 |
29 |
20 |
29 |
15 |
24 |
| Ballast |
7 |
11 |
9 |
9 |
— |
9 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
96 |
| SA/Disp |
27.3 |
18.2 |
30.1 |
17.6 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
41.6 |
37.8 |
— |
— |
— |
37.5 |
| Comfort |
19.6 |
35.9 |
— |
29.2 |
8.1 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.09 |
1.74 |
2.01 |
1.93 |
3.76 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.7 |
8.3 |
8.4 |
8.7 |
9.0 |
— |