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Performance & Speed

Aqua Finn Performance

How the Aqua Finn performs on the water — racing handicap, speed, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Aqua Finn is aggressively canvassed for its weight.

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
46.8
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Capsize Screening
3.29
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.

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.

Capsize Screening Formula
3.29
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Aqua Finn — 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 Aqua Finn.

Aqua Finn 420 Force 5 Ilca 7 Laser International Paper Tiger Sunfish
Dimensions
LOA 13.8 13.8 13.9 13.9 14.0 13.9
LWL 13.2 13.2 12.5 13.0
Beam 4.2 5.4 4.8 4.5 7.0 4.1
Displacement 130 220 140 128 160 129
Sail Area 75 140 91 76 100 75
Performance
SA/Disp 46.8 61.5 54.0 47.9 54.3 47.0
Comfort 2.7 2.0 2.1 1.5 2.3
Capsize 3.29 3.59 3.72 3.56 5.15 3.25
Hull Speed 4.9 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.8