The Spartan 2 Buchanan is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 18.3′, the Spartan 2 Buchanan tops out around 5.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.3′ LWL = 5.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
12.9
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
61.8%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
399
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
35.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.48
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
426lbs
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
35.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
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 Spartan 2 Buchanan sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
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° |
2.0 |
2.5 |
2.8 |
3.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Run150–180° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.7 kts),
SA/D (12.9), 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 Spartan 2 Buchanan — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Spartan 2 Buchanan.
|
Spartan 2 Buchanan |
Blue Moon 23 |
Marlin Heritage 23 |
Mermaid Class |
South Coast 23 |
Spartan 1 Buchanan |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
23.0 |
| LWL |
18.3 |
20.0 |
16.9 |
14.3 |
17.5 |
18.3 |
| Beam |
6.5 |
8.5 |
7.6 |
5.8 |
7.3 |
6.5 |
| Displacement |
5 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
| Ballast |
3 |
2 |
1 |
930 |
1 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
250 |
410 |
— |
194 |
246 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
270 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
12.9 |
16.4 |
— |
18.4 |
16.4 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
61.8 |
28.6 |
36.4 |
— |
— |
61.8 |
| Comfort |
35.6 |
34.4 |
— |
19.6 |
21.6 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.48 |
1.70 |
— |
1.77 |
1.87 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.7 |
6.0 |
— |
5.1 |
5.6 |
— |