Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 17.7′, the Puma 23 tops out around 5.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.7′ LWL = 5.6 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
258s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
50.1%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
240
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
5.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Puma 23 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Ranger 22
Tanzer 22
Puma 23
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Coronado 23
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Puma 23.
| Puma 23 | Coronado 23 | Ericson 23 1 | Ranger 22 | Tanzer 22 | Venture Of Newport 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 22.5 | 22.6 | 22.6 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 22.6 |
| LWL | 17.7 | 20.1 | 19.2 | 17.6 | 19.8 | 19.5 |
| Beam | 7.3 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.2 |
| Displacement | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Ballast | 1 | 1 | 1 | 900 | 1 | 600 |
| Sail Area | — | 237 | 215 | — | — | 195 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 258 | 270 | — | 222 | 246 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 21.8 | 17.8 | — | — | 19.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 50.1 | 47.8 | 48.2 | 41.2 | 43.1 | 30.0 |
| Comfort | — | 11.2 | 14.1 | — | — | 11.0 |
| Capsize | — | 2.35 | 2.16 | — | — | 2.28 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.0 | 5.9 | — | — | 5.9 |