The Stiletto 23 is with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.5′, the Stiletto 23 tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.5′ LWL = 6.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Comfort Ratio
1.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
5.79
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
6.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
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
1.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
5.79
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Stiletto 23 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Kirby 23
Merit 23
Sonic 23
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Stiletto 23.
| Stiletto 23 | Family Cat 23 | Kirby 23 | Merit 23 | Sonar | Sonic 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| LWL | 21.5 | 20.8 | 18.8 | 19.0 | 19.9 | 20.0 |
| Beam | 13.8 | 10.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Displacement | 875 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Ballast | — | 1 | 900 | — | 930 | 1 |
| Sail Area | 350 | 414 | 271 | — | 265 | 242 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 180 | 201 | — | 227 |
| SA/Disp | — | 20.1 | 24.3 | — | 25.9 | 17.2 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 23.3 | — | — | 44.3 | 44.1 |
| Comfort | 1.9 | 20.2 | 12.1 | — | 10.0 | 16.9 |
| Capsize | 5.79 | 2.20 | 2.32 | — | 2.45 | 2.02 |
| Hull Speed | 6.2 | 6.1 | 5.8 | — | 6.0 | 6.0 |