The Thompson 24 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.0′, the Thompson 24 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.0′ LWL = 6.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Comfort Ratio
26.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.76
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
6.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
600lbs
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
26.5
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
1.76
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Thompson 24 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Shark 24
Islander 24
Columbia 24 Contender
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Thompson 24.
| Thompson 24 | Cal 2 24 | Columbia 24 Contender | Islander 24 | Lark 24 Pearson | Shark 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.0 |
| LWL | 21.0 | 19.2 | 18.3 | 20.0 | 18.5 | 20.0 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| Displacement | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Ballast | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 675 |
| Sail Area | — | 271 | 288 | 294 | 283 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 258 | 237 | — | 236 |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.2 | 19.7 | 21.3 | 17.2 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 37.8 | 44.4 | 51.5 | 41.9 | 30.7 |
| Comfort | 26.5 | 18.1 | 18.0 | 15.5 | 20.7 | — |
| Capsize | 1.76 | 2.01 | 2.05 | 2.11 | 1.97 | — |
| Hull Speed | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 5.8 | — |