The Seahawk 48 is with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 39.0′, the Seahawk 48 tops out around 8.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √39.0′ LWL = 8.4 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
19.2%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
391
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
58.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
8.4kts
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
58.8
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Seahawk 48 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Tartan 48
Hughes 48
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Seahawk 48.
| Seahawk 48 | Christina 48 Hans Christian | Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee | Hughes 48 | Seafarer 48 | Tartan 48 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 48.0 | 47.9 | 47.9 | 48.0 | 48.0 | 48.0 |
| LWL | 39.0 | 40.3 | 34.0 | 33.0 | 33.0 | 36.0 |
| Beam | 13.8 | 13.5 | 13.0 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 14.0 |
| Displacement | 52 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
| Ballast | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 960 | 1 | 1,048 | 1 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 113 | — | 80 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.0 | 19.2 | 17.4 | 17.4 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 19.2 | 39.8 | 41.9 | 52.3 | 52.3 | — |
| Comfort | 58.8 | 33.9 | 41.2 | 46.0 | 46.0 | — |
| Capsize | 1.48 | 1.74 | 1.66 | 1.53 | 1.53 | — |
| Hull Speed | 8.4 | 8.5 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.7 | — |