The Starwind 18 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.
5.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 16.7′, the Starwind 18 tops out around 5.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √16.7′ LWL = 5.5 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
48
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
4.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.03
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
5.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
357lbs
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
4.2
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
3.03
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 Starwind 18 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Hunter 18
Catalina 18
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Starwind 18.
| Starwind 18 | Buccaneer 18 | Capri 18 Catalina | Catalina 18 | Hunter 18 | S2 55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| LWL | 16.7 | 16.7 | 16.3 | 15.8 | 15.5 | 16.3 |
| Beam | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 7.7 |
| Displacement | 500 | 500 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 600 |
| Ballast | — | — | 425 | 500 | 500 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 175 | 155 | 152 | 145 | 176 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 289 | 282 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 44.5 | 19.0 | 19.9 | 18.5 | 39.6 |
| Bal/Disp | — | — | 28.3 | 37.0 | 35.7 | — |
| Comfort | 4.2 | 4.2 | 9.3 | 8.2 | 9.0 | 3.7 |
| Capsize | 3.03 | 3.03 | 2.65 | 2.81 | 2.68 | 3.64 |
| Hull Speed | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 |