The Idem is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 Idem 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.
SA / Displacement
26.8
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
8.8%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
443
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
28.8
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.69
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
543lbs
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
28.8
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
1.69
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 Idem sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Contessa 32
174s/nm
Nicholson 32
189s/nm
Chesapeake 32
209s/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° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.8 kts),
SA/D (26.8), 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 Idem — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–14 kts
14–22 kts
22+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–14 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
14–22 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
22+ 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 Idem.
|
Idem |
Chesapeake 32 |
Contessa 32 |
Eric 32 |
Nicholson 32 |
Seafair 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
| LWL |
19.0 |
22.1 |
24.0 |
27.5 |
24.0 |
28.4 |
| Beam |
8.0 |
8.8 |
9.5 |
11.0 |
9.3 |
8.1 |
| Displacement |
6 |
11 |
9 |
19 |
12 |
8 |
| Ballast |
600 |
3 |
4 |
— |
6 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
600 |
468 |
433 |
588 |
470 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
209 |
174 |
— |
189 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
26.8 |
14.8 |
15.5 |
13.3 |
14.2 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
8.8 |
32.6 |
47.4 |
— |
55.7 |
— |
| Comfort |
28.8 |
39.5 |
27.7 |
41.8 |
36.9 |
26.0 |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
1.55 |
1.80 |
1.65 |
1.61 |
1.62 |
| Hull Speed |
5.8 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
7.0 |
6.6 |
7.1 |