The Ct 48 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.
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 37.5′, the Ct 48 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.5′ LWL = 8.2 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
15.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
35.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
339
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
43.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.70
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
13.1
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
12lbs
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
43.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.70
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 Ct 48 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
X 482
15s/nm
Baltic 48 Dp
48s/nm
Oyster 48 Lightwave
62s/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° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.6 |
5.9 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (15.4), 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 Ct 48 — 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 Ct 48.
|
Ct 48 |
Baltic 48 Dp |
Christina 48 Hans Christian |
Clipper 48 Ketch Cheoy Lee |
Oyster 48 Lightwave |
X 482 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
48.0 |
48.1 |
47.9 |
47.9 |
48.0 |
48.0 |
| LWL |
37.5 |
38.6 |
40.3 |
34.0 |
41.7 |
41.0 |
| Beam |
14.5 |
14.3 |
13.5 |
13.0 |
14.3 |
14.1 |
| Displacement |
40 |
26 |
29 |
31 |
27 |
26 |
| Ballast |
14 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
11 |
11 |
| Sail Area |
1,122 |
1 |
960 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
48 |
— |
— |
62 |
15 |
| SA/Disp |
15.4 |
20.4 |
16.0 |
19.2 |
18.9 |
20.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
35.0 |
44.6 |
39.8 |
41.9 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
43.2 |
28.7 |
33.9 |
41.2 |
27.6 |
28.0 |
| Capsize |
1.70 |
1.92 |
1.74 |
1.66 |
1.91 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
8.3 |
8.5 |
7.8 |
8.7 |
8.6 |