The Ss 66 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 22.3′, the Ss 66 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.3′ LWL = 6.3 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
18.5
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
48.5%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
310
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
25.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.88
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
740lbs
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
25.0
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
1.88
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 Ss 66 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Seidelmann 30
162s/nm
Catalina 30 Mkii
186s/nm
Coronado 30
192s/nm
Morgan 30
201s/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 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (18.5), 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 Ss 66 — 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 Ss 66.
|
Ss 66 |
Catalina 30 Mkii |
Coronado 30 |
J30 |
Morgan 30 |
Seidelmann 30 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.8 |
29.9 |
29.8 |
| LWL |
22.3 |
25.0 |
24.0 |
25.0 |
24.2 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
9.3 |
10.8 |
10.1 |
11.2 |
9.3 |
12.0 |
| Displacement |
7 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
9 |
| Ballast |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
451 |
437 |
408 |
444 |
467 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
186 |
192 |
— |
201 |
162 |
| SA/Disp |
18.5 |
14.9 |
15.7 |
19.5 |
15.6 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
48.5 |
41.2 |
31.8 |
— |
42.9 |
47.9 |
| Comfort |
25.0 |
24.9 |
23.5 |
16.4 |
32.4 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.88 |
2.00 |
1.97 |
2.34 |
1.69 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.7 |
6.6 |
6.7 |
6.6 |
— |