The Thistle is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 17.0′, the Thistle tops out around 5.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.0′ LWL = 5.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
186s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Displacement / Length
47
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
5.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Thistle sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Thistle
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Montgomery 17
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Thistle.
| Thistle | Bandit 17 | Mobjack | Montgomery 17 | National One Design | Zip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.1 | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| LWL | 17.0 | 16.4 | 16.8 | 15.8 | 10.5 | 16.0 |
| Beam | 6.0 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 5.7 | 6.0 |
| Displacement | 515 | 520 | 450 | 1 | 400 | 1 |
| Ballast | — | — | — | 550 | — | — |
| Sail Area | — | 162 | 180 | 154 | 137 | 130 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 186 | — | — | 264 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 40.1 | 49.1 | 19.7 | 40.4 | 20.8 |
| Bal/Disp | — | — | — | 39.3 | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 3.9 | 3.4 | 9.4 | 4.9 | 8.7 |
| Capsize | — | 3.32 | 3.40 | 2.62 | 3.08 | 2.40 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 5.4 |