The Tiger Cat 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.
5.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 15.8′, the Tiger Cat tops out around 5.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √15.8′ LWL = 5.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
66
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
3.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.81
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
5.3kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
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
3.5
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
3.81
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 Tiger Cat sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Thistle
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Tiger Cat.
| Tiger Cat | Cape Cod Cat | Harpoon 52 | Hobie 17 | Nacra 52 | Thistle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| LWL | 15.8 | 16.4 | 15.0 | — | — | 17.0 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| Displacement | 585 | 2 | 565 | 315 | 350 | 515 |
| Ballast | — | 500 | — | — | — | — |
| Sail Area | — | 250 | 160 | 168 | — | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | — | 186 |
| SA/Disp | — | 23.7 | 37.5 | 58.1 | — | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 22.7 | — | — | — | — |
| Comfort | 3.5 | 13.0 | 3.8 | — | 2.2 | — |
| Capsize | 3.81 | 2.44 | 3.63 | — | 4.54 | — |
| Hull Speed | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.2 | — | 5.1 | — |