Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 15.0′, the Watch Hill 15 tops out around 5.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √15.0′ LWL = 5.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
237s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
35.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
370
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
5.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Watch Hill 15 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Buzzards Bay 15
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
Watch Hill 15
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Watch Hill 15.
| Watch Hill 15 | Bristol 24 | Buzzards Bay 15 | Cornish Yawl | Herreshoff 15 | Pacific Seacraft 25 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 24.5 | 24.6 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 24.5 | 24.5 |
| LWL | 15.0 | 18.1 | 15.0 | 20.7 | 15.0 | 21.0 |
| Beam | 6.7 | 8.0 | 6.7 | 8.5 | 6.7 | 8.0 |
| Displacement | 2 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Ballast | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 |
| Sail Area | — | 296 | 331 | 379 | 330 | 236 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 237 | — | 193 | — | — | 234 |
| SA/Disp | — | 14.5 | 29.4 | 15.4 | 26.7 | 13.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 35.7 | 50.7 | 41.1 | — | 35.7 | 36.8 |
| Comfort | — | 28.6 | 16.8 | 32.0 | 19.3 | 20.9 |
| Capsize | — | 1.77 | 1.99 | 1.72 | 1.90 | 1.91 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.7 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 6.1 |