The Thom Cat 23 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 21.3′, the Thom Cat 23 tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.3′ 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.
SA / Displacement
20.0
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
21.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.15
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
762lbs
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
21.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.15
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 Thom Cat 23 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Cape Dory 22
282s/nm
Menger Cat 23
345s/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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.2 kts),
SA/D (20.0), 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 Thom Cat 23 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Thom Cat 23.
|
Thom Cat 23 |
22 Cruising Catboat Areys Pond |
Cape Dory 22 |
Menger Cat 23 |
Sea Sprite 23 Daysailer |
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
22.5 |
22.3 |
22.3 |
22.5 |
22.5 |
22.4 |
| LWL |
21.3 |
— |
16.3 |
21.3 |
16.3 |
16.5 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
10.3 |
7.3 |
10.0 |
7.0 |
7.4 |
| Displacement |
6 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
| Ballast |
— |
1 |
1 |
— |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
435 |
400 |
240 |
— |
247 |
245 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
282 |
345 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
20.0 |
20.6 |
17.7 |
— |
17.7 |
17.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
32.7 |
43.8 |
— |
43.2 |
51.5 |
| Comfort |
21.6 |
— |
19.3 |
— |
21.4 |
19.3 |
| Capsize |
2.15 |
2.34 |
1.99 |
— |
1.87 |
2.00 |
| Hull Speed |
6.2 |
— |
5.4 |
— |
5.4 |
5.4 |