Dragonfly 920 Extreme Performance & PHRF

The Dragonfly 920 Extreme is aggressively canvassed for its weight.

Hull Speed

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

7.2 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 28.7′, the Dragonfly 920 Extreme tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √28.7′ LWL = 7.2 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

46.0

Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.

Displacement / Length

Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.

Hull Speed

7.2kts

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Dragonfly 920 Extreme sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Cheetah 30 77s/nm

J/92 117s/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°	3.4	4.3	4.8	5.0
Close Reach60°	4.1	5.2	5.8	6.0
Beam Reach90°	5.0	6.4	7.1	7.7
Broad Reach120–135°	4.6	5.9	6.6	7.1
Run150–180°	3.7	4.7	5.3	5.5

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts), SA/D (46.0), 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 Dragonfly 920 Extreme — 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 Dragonfly 920 Extreme.

	Dragonfly 920 Extreme	Cheetah 30	Dragonfly 920	Elan 31 Humphreys	Farr 920	J/92
Dimensions
LOA	30.2	30.3	30.2	30.2	30.3	30.2
LWL	28.7	27.0	28.7	26.9	23.5	25.4
Beam	25.6	8.0	22.3	10.5	10.0	10.8
Displacement	4	2	4	8	4	7
Ballast	—	1	—	2	1	3
Sail Area	732	351	581	586	—	450
Performance
PHRF	—	77	—	—	—	117
SA/Disp	46.0	32.3	35.9	22.8	—	20.4
Bal/Disp	—	43.5	—	34.2	39.0	42.3
Comfort	—	8.0	3.5	20.2	13.8	23.8
Capsize	—	2.43	5.54	2.07	2.36	1.71
Hull Speed	—	7.0	7.2	7.0	6.5	7.7