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 Varne 850 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.
Ballast / Displacement
41.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
299
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Varne 850 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Contessa 28
Etap 28
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Varne 850.
| Varne 850 | Achilles 840 | Contessa 28 | Etap 28 | Tanzer 85 | Varne 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 27.8 | 27.8 | 27.7 | 27.6 | 27.9 | 27.8 |
| LWL | 21.0 | 24.3 | 22.0 | 22.7 | 23.8 | 21.0 |
| Beam | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.4 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
| Displacement | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Ballast | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | 354 | 338 | 319 | — | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 171 | 222 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.2 | 14.9 | 14.5 | — | — |
| Bal/Disp | 41.9 | 45.6 | 40.2 | 38.7 | 40.5 | 41.9 |
| Comfort | — | 18.0 | 22.9 | 19.7 | — | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.04 | 1.98 | 2.13 | — | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.6 | 6.3 | 6.4 | — | — |