Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.8 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 18.5′, the Mystic Catboat 20 tops out around 5.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.5′ 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.
Ballast / Displacement
23.3%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
212
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
5.8kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Mystic Catboat 20 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cal 20
Balboa 20
Able 20
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Mystic Catboat 20.
| Mystic Catboat 20 | Able 20 | Balboa 20 | Cal 20 | Com-Pac Horizon Cat | Horizon Day Cat 20 Com Pac | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| LWL | 18.5 | 16.0 | 17.5 | 18.0 | 17.8 | 17.8 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 7.3 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Displacement | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Ballast | 700 | 1 | 450 | 900 | 900 | 600 |
| Sail Area | — | 202 | 174 | 195 | 192 | 205 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 290 | 276 | 258 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.6 | 19.6 | 20.0 | 16.7 | 17.9 |
| Bal/Disp | 23.3 | 40.0 | 26.5 | 46.2 | 36.0 | 24.0 |
| Comfort | — | 15.8 | 10.6 | 12.1 | 12.4 | 12.5 |
| Capsize | — | 2.16 | 2.38 | 2.24 | 2.46 | 2.46 |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 |