Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 35.9′, the Ocean 43 Westerly tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √35.9′ LWL = 8.0 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
40.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
287
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
8.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
11lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Ocean 43 Westerly sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Swan 431
Oyster 435
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Ocean 43 Westerly.
| Ocean 43 Westerly | First 435 Beneteau | Hallberg Rassy 42 Frers | Malo 43 | Oyster 435 | Swan 431 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 43.5 | 43.5 | 43.4 | 44.0 | 43.4 | 43.3 |
| LWL | 35.9 | 36.1 | 34.0 | 35.4 | 36.8 | 33.3 |
| Beam | 13.8 | 13.1 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.7 | 13.4 |
| Displacement | 29 | 23 | 27 | 24 | 29 | 26 |
| Ballast | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 |
| Sail Area | — | 859 | 958 | 832 | — | 896 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | 135 | 87 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.7 | 16.9 | 16.0 | — | 16.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 40.7 | 38.9 | 37.6 | — | 37.9 | 44.9 |
| Comfort | — | 31.3 | 38.2 | 32.4 | — | 35.6 |
| Capsize | — | 1.82 | 1.72 | 1.80 | — | 1.80 |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.1 | 7.8 | 8.0 | — | 7.7 |