The Sun Flyer 26 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.0′, the Sun Flyer 26 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.0′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
15.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.20
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
776lbs
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
15.9
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
2.20
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 Sun Flyer 26 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Farr 280
47s/nm
San Juan 28
186s/nm
Ericson 29
210s/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° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (16.4), 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 Sun Flyer 26 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Sun Flyer 26.
|
Sun Flyer 26 |
Ericson 29 |
Farr 280 |
San Juan 28 |
Seafarer 29 Cb |
Sun Way 28 Cb Jeanneau |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.7 |
28.6 |
28.6 |
28.7 |
28.7 |
28.5 |
| LWL |
23.0 |
22.0 |
26.3 |
22.3 |
21.3 |
25.3 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
9.3 |
9.4 |
10.0 |
9.0 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
5 |
8 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
| Ballast |
1 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
301 |
436 |
453 |
385 |
356 |
387 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
210 |
47 |
186 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.4 |
16.8 |
31.0 |
18.3 |
16.1 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
45.9 |
40.1 |
50.0 |
37.4 |
34.4 |
| Comfort |
15.9 |
28.3 |
10.3 |
18.4 |
23.5 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.20 |
1.82 |
2.47 |
2.18 |
1.92 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.3 |
6.9 |
6.3 |
6.2 |
— |