Home/ Boats/ Des Townson/ Zephyr Dinghy/ Performance
Performance

Zephyr Dinghy Performance

How the Zephyr Dinghy performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

+ Add to Compare

The Zephyr Dinghy is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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.

4.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement
47.8
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
44
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
2.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Hull Speed
4.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
2.1
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

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail 6 kts TWS 10 kts TWS 15 kts TWS 20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50° 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.1
Close Reach60° 2.5 3.2 3.6 3.7
Beam Reach90° 3.1 3.9 4.4 4.7
Broad Reach120–135° 2.9 3.6 4.0 4.4
Run150–180° 2.3 2.9 3.2 3.4
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (4.4 kts), SA/D (47.8), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Zephyr Dinghy — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts 5–16 kts 16–24 kts 24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Zephyr Dinghy.

Zephyr Dinghy Enterprise Int Graduate International Fj Ok Dinghy Solo
Dimensions
LOA 12.8 13.3 12.5 13.2 13.1 12.4
LWL — — — 12.3 — —
Beam 4.8 5.3 4.7 5.3 4.9 5.3
Displacement 126 200 185 165 159 150
Sail Area 75 — 108 104 91 90
Performance
SA/Disp 47.8 — 53.3 55.4 — 51.0
Comfort 2.1 2.8 3.3 2.2 2.5 —
Capsize — — — 3.83 — 3.95
Hull Speed 4.4 4.5 4.4 4.7 4.5 —