The Little Harbor 50 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 42.2′, the Little Harbor 50 tops out around 8.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √42.2′ 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.
PHRF Rating
69s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
16.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
40.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.72
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
40.2
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
1.72
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 Little Harbor 50 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Little Harbor 50
69s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Bristol 51
69s/nm
Valiant 50
102s/nm
Shannon 50
117s/nm
Tatoosh 51
120s/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 |
6.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.7 kts),
SA/D (16.3), 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 Little Harbor 50 — 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 Little Harbor 50.
|
Little Harbor 50 |
Bristol 51 |
Little Harbor 51 |
Shannon 50 |
Tatoosh 51 |
Valiant 50 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
50.8 |
51.1 |
50.6 |
50.9 |
50.6 |
50.7 |
| LWL |
42.2 |
42.0 |
41.0 |
42.8 |
42.1 |
40.3 |
| Beam |
15.1 |
15.2 |
15.3 |
14.3 |
15.4 |
13.8 |
| Displacement |
43 |
43 |
45 |
39 |
44 |
35 |
| Ballast |
18 |
19 |
18 |
15 |
14 |
11 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1,200 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
69 |
69 |
— |
117 |
120 |
102 |
| SA/Disp |
16.3 |
15.5 |
15.3 |
17.1 |
15.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
43.5 |
— |
39.7 |
— |
31.0 |
| Comfort |
40.2 |
40.4 |
42.8 |
38.8 |
39.9 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.72 |
1.73 |
1.71 |
1.68 |
1.75 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.7 |
8.7 |
8.6 |
8.8 |
8.7 |
— |