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Performance & Speed

Csy 50 Pilot House Performance

How the Csy 50 Pilot House performs on the water — racing handicap, speed, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Csy 50 Pilot House is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

8.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 38.6′, the Csy 50 Pilot House tops out around 8.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √38.6′ LWL = 8.3 kts

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
15.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
43.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
268
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
37.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.72
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
8.3kts
S# (Speed Number)
1.8
SA/Disp (Calculated)
15.2
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
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
37.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.72
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Csy 50 Pilot House sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Stevens 50 Ph 90s/nm
Gulfstar 50 Sailmaster 123s/nm

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° 3.2 4.0 4.5 4.7
Close Reach60° 3.9 4.9 5.4 5.7
Beam Reach90° 4.7 6.0 6.7 7.0
Broad Reach120–135° 4.4 5.5 6.2 6.4
Run150–180° 3.5 4.4 4.9 5.1
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.3 kts), SA/D (15.7), 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 Csy 50 Pilot House — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts 7–22 kts 22–32 kts 32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Csy 50 Pilot House.

Csy 50 Pilot House Gulfstar 50 Sailmaster Passport 50 Stevens 50 Ph Sweden Yachts 50 Taswell 50
Dimensions
LOA 50.1 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.1
LWL 38.6 41.0 39.0 37.8 41.3 41.9
Beam 14.0 14.5 13.5 14.3 14.3 15.0
Displacement 34 41 34 31 31 40
Ballast 15 11 13 16 12 11
Sail Area 1 1 1 1
Performance
PHRF 123 90
SA/Disp 15.7 13.6 19.1 15.1
Bal/Disp 43.5 29.0 38.2 51.3 28.8
Comfort 37.8 41.2 32.2 37.8
Capsize 1.72 1.69 1.81 1.76
Hull Speed 8.3 8.6 8.6 8.7