The Pyramid 45 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 40.0′, the Pyramid 45 tops out around 8.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √40.0′ LWL = 8.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
32s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
23.0
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
47.6%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
103
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
18.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.04
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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
18.9
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
2.04
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 Pyramid 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Pyramid 45
32s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Formosa 46
128s/nm
Lancer 45
162s/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° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.8 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.9 |
7.4 |
8.3 |
9.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.4 |
6.8 |
7.6 |
8.3 |
| Run150–180° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.5 kts),
SA/D (23.0), 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 Pyramid 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 Pyramid 45.
|
Pyramid 45 |
Formosa 46 |
Irwin 45 |
Lancer 45 |
Morgan 45 3 |
Spindrift 46 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
| LWL |
40.0 |
39.6 |
32.0 |
37.3 |
36.8 |
39.6 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
12.9 |
11.5 |
13.8 |
13.4 |
12.8 |
| Displacement |
14 |
33 |
23 |
24 |
21 |
30 |
| Ballast |
7 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
— |
10 |
| Sail Area |
858 |
911 |
882 |
907 |
928 |
896 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
32 |
128 |
— |
162 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
23.0 |
14.2 |
17.5 |
17.5 |
19.6 |
14.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
47.6 |
— |
— |
29.2 |
— |
33.2 |
| Comfort |
18.9 |
41.0 |
38.3 |
28.6 |
26.1 |
38.5 |
| Capsize |
2.04 |
1.61 |
1.62 |
1.91 |
1.95 |
1.64 |
| Hull Speed |
8.5 |
8.4 |
7.6 |
8.2 |
8.1 |
8.4 |