The Sakonnet One Design is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 14.4′, the Sakonnet One Design tops out around 5.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √14.4′ LWL = 5.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
17.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
19.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
1.90
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
322lbs
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
19.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.90
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
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° |
2.0 |
2.6 |
2.9 |
3.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Run150–180° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.1 kts),
SA/D (17.0), 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 Sakonnet One Design — 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 Sakonnet One Design.
|
Sakonnet One Design |
Alden O Class Mk Ii |
Blackwater 18 |
Geary 18 |
Goldeneye Herreshoff |
Y Flyer |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
18.3 |
18.2 |
18.4 |
18.2 |
18.3 |
18.2 |
| LWL |
14.4 |
15.4 |
16.0 |
— |
15.8 |
14.5 |
| Beam |
6.3 |
6.7 |
6.4 |
5.5 |
6.3 |
5.7 |
| Displacement |
2 |
2 |
5 |
525 |
2 |
500 |
| Ballast |
700 |
550 |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
| Sail Area |
183 |
192 |
178 |
200 |
193 |
161 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
17.0 |
19.4 |
9.0 |
49.2 |
16.8 |
41.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
27.5 |
21.9 |
— |
52.8 |
— |
| Comfort |
19.6 |
15.2 |
43.6 |
5.2 |
20.0 |
4.9 |
| Capsize |
1.90 |
2.12 |
1.45 |
2.71 |
1.87 |
2.86 |
| Hull Speed |
5.1 |
5.3 |
5.4 |
5.3 |
5.3 |
5.1 |