Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
5.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 15.0′, the Sun Cat 17 1 tops out around 5.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √15.0′ LWL = 5.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
159
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
5.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Sun Cat 17 1 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Precision 165
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Sun Cat 17 1.
| Sun Cat 17 1 | Capri 165 Catalina | Catalina 16.5 | Daysailer | Precision 165 | Tanzer 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 16.5 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 16.8 | 16.4 | 16.3 |
| LWL | 15.0 | 14.7 | 14.8 | 15.5 | 15.3 | 15.3 |
| Beam | 7.3 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 7.2 | 6.2 |
| Displacement | 1 | 950 | 975 | 575 | 750 | 450 |
| Ballast | — | 350 | 350 | — | 250 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 103 | 120 | 145 | 159 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | 270 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.0 | 19.5 | 33.6 | 30.9 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 36.8 | 35.9 | — | 33.3 | — |
| Comfort | — | 3.1 | 7.3 | 4.9 | 5.4 | — |
| Capsize | — | 3.71 | 2.83 | 3.01 | 3.15 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.2 | — |