The Ross 830 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.7′, the Ross 830 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.7′ LWL = 6.5 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
138s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
50.0%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
84
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
6.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Ross 830 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Express 27
Ross 830
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Hunter 27
Cape Dory 270
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Ross 830.
| Ross 830 | Cape Dory 270 | Express 27 | Halman Horizon | Hunter 27 | Islander 27 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 27.2 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 27.2 | 27.3 |
| LWL | 23.7 | 20.8 | 23.8 | 23.0 | 22.0 | 23.0 |
| Beam | 8.7 | 9.4 | 8.0 | 9.6 | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Displacement | 2 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| Ballast | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 398 | 276 | — | 303 | 285 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 138 | 219 | 137 | — | 213 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.5 | 24.4 | — | 13.2 | 17.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 50.0 | 38.8 | 44.9 | 32.1 | 42.9 | — |
| Comfort | — | 28.8 | 9.6 | 21.9 | 23.7 | 16.4 |
| Capsize | — | 1.86 | 2.38 | 2.01 | 1.94 | 2.04 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.4 |