The Shields is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 20.0′, the Shields 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.
PHRF Rating
176s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
20.9
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
67.0%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
257
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
25.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.55
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
459lbs
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
25.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.55
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 Shields sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Shields
176s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Pearson 300
223s/nm
Alberg 30
228s/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° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.0 kts),
SA/D (20.9), 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 Shields — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Shields.
|
Shields |
Alberg 30 |
Annapolis 30 Rhodes |
Cal 2 30 |
Ericson 30 1 |
Pearson 300 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.2 |
30.3 |
30.2 |
30.2 |
30.3 |
30.3 |
| LWL |
20.0 |
21.7 |
22.3 |
25.0 |
23.3 |
23.3 |
| Beam |
6.4 |
8.8 |
8.4 |
9.0 |
9.5 |
9.3 |
| Displacement |
4 |
9 |
8 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
— |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
360 |
410 |
400 |
464 |
410 |
342 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
176 |
228 |
— |
— |
— |
223 |
| SA/Disp |
20.9 |
15.2 |
15.4 |
15.7 |
16.7 |
11.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
67.0 |
— |
— |
43.7 |
— |
38.0 |
| Comfort |
25.9 |
31.9 |
31.2 |
32.1 |
23.7 |
31.4 |
| Capsize |
1.55 |
1.69 |
1.65 |
1.66 |
1.92 |
1.72 |
| Hull Speed |
6.0 |
6.2 |
6.3 |
6.7 |
6.5 |
6.5 |