Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 41.0′, the Swan 48 2 Frers tops out around 8.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √41.0′ LWL = 8.6 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
38.4%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
204
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
8.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
12lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Swan 48 2 Frers sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Santa Cruz 50
Hallberg Rassy 49
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Swan 48 2 Frers.
| Swan 48 2 Frers | Baltic 50 | Hallberg Rassy 49 | Santa Cruz 50 | Sweden Yachts 50 | X49 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 49.5 | 50.0 | 49.1 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 49.5 |
| LWL | 41.0 | 43.6 | 41.0 | 46.4 | 41.3 | 43.5 |
| Beam | 14.2 | 14.2 | 14.5 | 12.0 | 14.3 | 14.7 |
| Displacement | 31 | 20 | 39 | 16 | 31 | 28 |
| Ballast | 12 | 9 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Sail Area | — | 1 | 1,249 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 120 | 9 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 28.5 | 17.3 | 26.5 | 19.1 | 22.3 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.4 | 43.9 | 45.1 | 50.0 | — | 42.3 |
| Comfort | — | 20.3 | 40.1 | 19.0 | 32.2 | 27.0 |
| Capsize | — | 2.09 | 1.70 | 1.91 | 1.81 | 1.93 |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.9 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 8.8 |