The St Francis 50 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.
9.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 47.1′, the St Francis 50 tops out around 9.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √47.1′ LWL = 9.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Comfort Ratio
11.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.48
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
9.2kts
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
11.3
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
3.48
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
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the St Francis 50.
| St Francis 50 | Balance 502 | Excess 13 | Oceanis 50 Beneteau | Rapido 50 | St Francis 500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.2 | 50.2 | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| LWL | 47.1 | 50.0 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 49.1 | — |
| Beam | 26.3 | 25.9 | 23.8 | 15.4 | 34.1 | 26.3 |
| Displacement | 27 | 28 | 23 | 33 | 18 | 31 |
| Ballast | — | — | — | 11 | — | — |
| Sail Area | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,108 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | — | 26.7 | 24.3 | 17.2 | 40.4 | 23.8 |
| Bal/Disp | — | — | — | 33.3 | — | — |
| Comfort | 11.3 | — | — | 29.2 | — | — |
| Capsize | 3.48 | — | — | 1.93 | — | — |
| Hull Speed | 9.2 | — | — | 8.8 | — | — |