The Capri 26 Catalina is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.5′, the Capri 26 Catalina tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ LWL = 6.4 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
213s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
16.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
37.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
172
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
15.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.22
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
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
15.2
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
Capsize Screening Formula
2.22
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
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Capri 26 Catalina sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Impulse 26
135s/nm
Capo 26
159s/nm
Capri 26 Catalina
213s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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° |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (16.0), 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 Capri 26 Catalina — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Capri 26 Catalina.
|
Capri 26 Catalina |
Bahama 26 Islander |
Capo 26 |
First 265 Beneteau |
Impulse 26 |
Ranger 26 2 Mull |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
26.0 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
26.0 |
| LWL |
22.5 |
21.7 |
22.0 |
24.2 |
21.6 |
19.8 |
| Beam |
9.1 |
10.0 |
9.3 |
9.4 |
8.4 |
8.0 |
| Displacement |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
268 |
302 |
331 |
323 |
327 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
213 |
— |
159 |
— |
135 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.0 |
15.6 |
20.1 |
18.2 |
26.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
37.5 |
35.7 |
44.2 |
29.8 |
47.5 |
38.0 |
| Comfort |
15.2 |
17.2 |
14.8 |
15.1 |
10.9 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.22 |
2.27 |
2.28 |
2.24 |
2.41 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.2 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.2 |
— |