The New Zealand 45 is and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 36.5′, the New Zealand 45 tops out around 8.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.5′ LWL = 8.1 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
63s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
47.8%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
202
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
8.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
11lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the New Zealand 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Frers 45
New Zealand 45
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Lancer 45
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the New Zealand 45.
| New Zealand 45 | Frers 45 | Irwin 45 | Lancer 45 | Morgan 45 3 | Spindrift 46 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 45.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 | 45.0 |
| LWL | 36.5 | 35.0 | 32.0 | 37.3 | 36.8 | 39.6 |
| Beam | 13.8 | 13.9 | 11.5 | 13.8 | 13.4 | 12.8 |
| Displacement | 22 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 30 |
| Ballast | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 | — | 10 |
| Sail Area | — | 921 | 882 | 907 | 928 | 896 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 63 | 35 | — | 162 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 20.3 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 19.6 | 14.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 47.8 | 48.6 | 43.5 | 29.2 | — | 33.2 |
| Comfort | — | 24.1 | 38.3 | 28.6 | 26.1 | 38.5 |
| Capsize | — | 2.06 | 1.62 | 1.91 | 1.95 | 1.64 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.4 |