The Sydney 32 is and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.0′, the Sydney 32 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.0′ LWL = 7.1 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
81s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
34.8%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
139
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
7.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Sydney 32 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Melges 30
Sydney 32
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Sydney 32.
| Sydney 32 | First 317 Beneteau | J97 | Melges 30 | Najad 320 | Rc 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 31.7 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.8 | 31.8 | 31.8 |
| LWL | 28.0 | 28.9 | 26.6 | 28.5 | 26.9 | 30.0 |
| Beam | 10.5 | 10.6 | 11.0 | 9.8 | 10.4 | 16.0 |
| Displacement | 6 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 900 |
| Ballast | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 447 | 498 | — | 477 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 81 | — | — | 42 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.6 | 19.0 | — | 15.7 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 34.8 | 27.3 | — | 42.1 | 44.9 | — |
| Comfort | — | 18.6 | 19.4 | — | 26.1 | 1.1 |
| Capsize | — | 2.10 | 2.15 | — | 1.88 | 6.63 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.2 | 6.9 | — | 7.0 | 7.3 |