International 50 Moorings Performance & PHRF

The International 50 Moorings 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.

8.7 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 42.3′, the International 50 Moorings tops out around 8.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √42.3′ LWL = 8.7 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

18.8

Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.

Displacement / Length

194

Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.

Comfort Ratio

28.7

Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.

Capsize Screening

1.99

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

8.7kts

Pounds/Inch Immersion

2lbs

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

28.7

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

1.99

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 International 50 Moorings sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Beneteau 49 72s/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°	3.7	4.6	5.2	5.4
Close Reach60°	4.4	5.6	6.2	6.5
Beam Reach90°	5.4	6.8	7.7	8.3
Broad Reach120–135°	5.0	6.3	7.1	7.7
Run150–180°	4.0	5.1	5.7	5.9

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.7 kts), SA/D (18.8), 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 International 50 Moorings — 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 International 50 Moorings.

	International 50 Moorings	Beneteau 49	Dufour Classic 50	Moorings 505 1	Swan 48 2 Frers	Sweden Yachts 50
Dimensions
LOA	49.8	49.5	50.0	49.8	49.5	50.0
LWL	42.3	43.7	41.6	44.2	41.0	41.3
Beam	15.9	14.8	15.1	14.8	14.2	14.3
Displacement	33	27	30	28	31	31
Ballast	—	9	9	9	12	12
Sail Area	1	1	1,335	1	—	1
Performance
PHRF	—	72	—	—	—	—
SA/Disp	18.8	20.5	21.8	22.9	—	19.1
Bal/Disp	—	34.0	30.0	—	38.4	—
Comfort	28.7	26.4	29.1	26.8	—	32.2
Capsize	1.99	1.95	1.93	1.93	—	1.81
Hull Speed	8.7	8.9	8.6	8.9	—	8.6