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 15.7′, the Varianta 18 tops out around 5.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √15.7′ 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.
Ballast / Displacement
32.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
191
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
5.3kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Varianta 18 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Vx One
Flying Scot
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Varianta 18.
| Varianta 18 | Flying Scot | Melges 19 | Squib | Vx One | Weta 44 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 18.9 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 19.0 | 19.0 |
| LWL | 15.7 | 18.5 | — | 17.0 | 18.8 | — |
| Beam | 7.9 | 6.8 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 11.5 |
| Displacement | 1 | 850 | 395 | 1 | 450 | 264 |
| Ballast | 529 | — | — | 827 | 167 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 191 | 198 | 172 | — | 123 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 204 | — | — | 102 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 34.1 | 58.9 | 21.1 | — | 48.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 32.0 | — | — | — | 37.2 | — |
| Comfort | — | 5.5 | — | 11.7 | — | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.85 | 3.55 | 2.16 | — | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.8 | — | 5.5 | — | — |