What is the Thompson 980's comfort ratio?

The Thompson 980 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 11.62. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Thompson 980 safe for offshore sailing?

The Thompson 980 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.5. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Thompson 980?

The theoretical hull speed of the Thompson 980 is 7.34 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Thompson 980 weigh?

The Thompson 980 has a displacement of 5,720.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 32.15 ft.

Who designed the Thompson 980?

The Thompson 980 was designed by Steve Thompson, first built in 2002.

Thompson 980 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

Name: Thompson 980
Brand: Steve Thompson
Availability: OutOfStock

The Thompson 980 is with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.3 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 30.0′, the Thompson 980 tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √30.0′ LWL = 7.3 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

11.6

Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.

Capsize Screening

2.50

Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.

Hull Speed

7.3kts

Pounds/Inch Immersion

1lbs

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

11.6

Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

2.50

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 Thompson 980 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

J/32 114s/nm

Etap 32S 135s/nm

Hunter 32 Vision 177s/nm

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Thompson 980.

	Thompson 980	Dehler 32	Etap 32S	Hunter 32 Vision	J/32	Oceanis 321 Beneteau
Dimensions
LOA	32.2	32.2	32.3	32.0	32.0	32.2
LWL	30.0	29.3	27.5	27.0	27.5	27.9
Beam	11.2	10.7	11.3	11.3	11.4	11.2
Displacement	5	9	8	11	9	10
Ballast	2	3	2	4	3	3
Sail Area	—	566	560	486	484	473
Performance
PHRF	—	—	135	177	114	—
SA/Disp	—	20.3	22.2	15.4	18.9	16.1
Bal/Disp	—	34.3	29.7	39.5	39.1	34.8
Comfort	11.6	20.8	17.4	24.4	27.5	—
Capsize	2.50	2.02	2.24	2.02	1.70	—
Hull Speed	7.3	7.3	7.0	7.0	7.9	—