Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 17.8′, the Wilderness 21 tops out around 5.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √17.8′ LWL = 5.6 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
222s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
57.2%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
149
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
5.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Wilderness 21 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Holder 20
Wilderness 21
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Precision 21
San Juan 21
Cal 21
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Wilderness 21.
| Wilderness 21 | Cal 21 | Companion 21 | Holder 20 | Precision 21 | San Juan 21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 20.5 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 20.3 | 20.8 | 20.5 |
| LWL | 17.8 | 16.7 | 16.5 | 18.4 | 17.5 | 17.0 |
| Beam | 7.3 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 7.0 |
| Displacement | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ballast | 1 | 360 | 1 | 260 | 600 | 400 |
| Sail Area | — | 196 | 218 | 194 | 203 | 190 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 222 | 261 | — | 186 | 243 | 258 |
| SA/Disp | — | 29.5 | 16.5 | 28.2 | 21.4 | 26.3 |
| Bal/Disp | 57.2 | 32.7 | 32.3 | 22.4 | 32.0 | — |
| Comfort | — | 7.6 | 20.0 | 6.1 | 9.4 | 8.0 |
| Capsize | — | 2.59 | 1.94 | 2.98 | 2.68 | 2.60 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.5 |