The St Francis 460 is 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.
9.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 45.5′, the St Francis 460 tops out around 9.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √45.5′ LWL = 9.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
141
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
12.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.40
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
9.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
26lbs
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
12.9
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
3.40
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the St Francis 460 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Bavaria 46
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the St Francis 460.
| St Francis 460 | Bavaria 46 | Dufour 44 | J/45 | Lagoon 450 | Saona 47 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 45.9 | 46.0 | 45.6 | 45.6 | 45.8 | 46.0 |
| LWL | 45.5 | 40.0 | 40.1 | 39.0 | — | 46.0 |
| Beam | 26.3 | 14.3 | 14.6 | 14.1 | 25.8 | 25.3 |
| Displacement | 29 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 32 | 30 |
| Ballast | — | 7 | 6 | 10 | — | — |
| Sail Area | — | 1 | 1 | 989 | 1 | 807 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 57 | — | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 24.3 | 21.7 | 17.2 | 21.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 30.0 | 27.9 | 41.7 | — | — |
| Comfort | 12.9 | 26.0 | 23.4 | 35.9 | — | 13.7 |
| Capsize | 3.40 | 1.97 | 2.07 | 1.55 | — | 3.25 |
| Hull Speed | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10.5 | — | 9.1 |