Sweden Yachts 52 Performance & PHRF

The Sweden Yachts 52 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.

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 41.3′, the Sweden Yachts 52 tops out around 8.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √41.3′ 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.

SA / Displacement

25.1

Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.

Comfort Ratio

34.1

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Capsize Screening

1.77

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

8.6kts

S# (Speed Number)

2.8

Pounds/Inch Immersion

2lbs

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

34.1

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.77

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore

Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Sweden Yachts 52 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Baltic 52 15s/nm

Swan 51 36s/nm

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail	6 kts TWS	10 kts TWS	15 kts TWS	20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50°	4.1	5.1	5.7	6.0
Close Reach60°	4.9	6.2	6.9	7.2
Beam Reach90°	6.0	7.6	8.5	8.6
Broad Reach120–135°	5.6	7.0	7.9	8.2
Run150–180°	4.5	5.6	6.3	6.6

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.6 kts), SA/D (25.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Sweden Yachts 52 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–5 kts 5–16 kts 16–24 kts 24+ kts

Ghosting

0–5 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

5–16 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

16–24 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

24+ kts

Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Sweden Yachts 52.

	Sweden Yachts 52	Baltic 52	First 53F5 Beneteau	Najad 520 Ds	Oceanis 523 Beneteau	Swan 51
Dimensions
LOA	52.0	52.5	52.2	51.8	52.8	51.3
LWL	41.3	43.1	43.3	44.5	45.9	42.3
Beam	14.3	15.4	14.8	15.1	16.4	14.7
Displacement	33	31	30	44	37	39
Ballast	13	13	9	14	13	16
Sail Area	1	1	1	—	1,292	1
Performance
PHRF	—	15	—	—	—	36
SA/Disp	25.1	20.9	17.3	—	18.4	17.9
Bal/Disp	—	41.4	30.7	34.0	35.3	41.7
Comfort	34.1	28.1	28.8	—	—	38.0
Capsize	1.77	1.95	1.88	—	—	1.73
Hull Speed	8.6	8.8	8.8	—	—	8.7