Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 39.6′, the Swan 45 tops out around 8.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √39.6′ LWL = 8.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
39.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
156
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
8.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
11lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Swan 45 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
J/46
Sabre 452
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Swan 45.
| Swan 45 | Cc 45 | Farr 45 | J/45 | J/46 | Sabre 452 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 45.4 | 45.3 | 45.5 | 45.6 | 45.6 | 45.2 |
| LWL | 39.6 | 39.1 | 40.1 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.3 |
| Beam | 12.8 | 13.8 | 13.8 | 14.1 | 14.1 | 14.1 |
| Displacement | 21 | 19 | 15 | 24 | 24 | 26 |
| Ballast | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Sail Area | — | 1 | 1,215 | 989 | 989 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | 39 | 45 |
| SA/Disp | — | 24.9 | 31.0 | 17.2 | 17.2 | 18.9 |
| Bal/Disp | 39.7 | 51.3 | 53.0 | 41.7 | 41.7 | — |
| Comfort | — | 22.0 | 17.8 | 35.9 | 35.9 | 30.0 |
| Capsize | — | 2.06 | 2.20 | 1.55 | 1.55 | 1.89 |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.4 | 8.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 8.3 |