Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.8′, the Tanzer 85 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.8′ LWL = 6.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
40.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
247
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
6.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Tanzer 85 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Islander 28
Aloha 28
Grampian 28
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Tanzer 85.
| Tanzer 85 | Aloha 28 | Cc 27 Mk Iii | Grampian 28 | Islander 28 | Mirage 27 Perry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 27.9 | 28.0 | 27.9 | 28.0 | 27.9 | 27.9 |
| LWL | 23.8 | 24.5 | 22.9 | 24.5 | 23.1 | 21.7 |
| Beam | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 9.8 | 9.3 |
| Displacement | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Ballast | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | 373 | 344 | 384 | 361 | 313 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 195 | — | 198 | 186 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.8 | 17.7 | 17.0 | 15.8 | 16.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 40.5 | 44.4 | 38.5 | 44.4 | 42.9 | 42.3 |
| Comfort | — | 20.6 | 18.3 | 20.8 | 21.0 | 17.6 |
| Capsize | — | 2.00 | 2.08 | 2.00 | 2.06 | 2.14 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.2 |