Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.0′, the Rhodes Idler tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.0′ LWL = 6.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
21.7%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
335
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Rhodes Idler sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Frisco Flyer
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Rhodes Idler.
| Rhodes Idler | Frisco Flyer | Pacific Clipper | Seafarer Herreshoff | Vertue | Wianno Senior | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 |
| LWL | 20.0 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 17.6 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 4 |
| Ballast | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 311 | — | 344 | 395 | 366 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 306 | — | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.0 | — | 23.9 | 14.1 | 22.9 |
| Bal/Disp | 21.7 | 40.7 | 40.7 | — | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 29.1 | 29.1 | 15.7 | 47.7 | 20.0 |
| Capsize | — | 1.63 | 1.63 | 2.04 | 1.35 | 2.00 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.9 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 5.6 |