The Dolphin 24 Ss is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 19.0′, the Dolphin 24 Ss tops out around 5.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √19.0′ LWL = 5.8 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
247s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
18.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
38.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
277
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
21.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.90
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
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
21.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.90
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 Dolphin 24 Ss sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Shark 24
236s/nm
Islander 24
237s/nm
Dolphin 24 Ss
247s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Columbia 24 Contender
258s/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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.8 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.8 kts),
SA/D (18.2), 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 Dolphin 24 Ss — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Dolphin 24 Ss.
|
Dolphin 24 Ss |
Columbia 24 Contender |
Dolphin 24 Yankee |
Islander 24 |
Knockabout 24 Ss |
Shark 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.2 |
24.0 |
24.2 |
24.0 |
24.2 |
24.0 |
| LWL |
19.0 |
18.3 |
19.0 |
20.0 |
17.3 |
20.0 |
| Beam |
7.7 |
7.8 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
6.3 |
6.8 |
| Displacement |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
675 |
| Sail Area |
297 |
288 |
295 |
294 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
247 |
258 |
— |
237 |
— |
236 |
| SA/Disp |
18.2 |
19.7 |
18.0 |
21.3 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
38.8 |
44.4 |
38.8 |
51.5 |
— |
30.7 |
| Comfort |
21.2 |
18.0 |
21.2 |
15.5 |
15.7 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.90 |
2.05 |
1.90 |
2.11 |
1.91 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.8 |
5.7 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
5.6 |
— |