Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
4.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 11.5′, the West Wight Potter 14 Mk I tops out around 4.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √11.5′ LWL = 4.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
13.6%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
161
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
4.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the West Wight Potter 14 Mk I.
| West Wight Potter 14 Mk I | Cheshire 14 | Handy Cat 14 | Lido 14 | Pintail | Rhodes Bantam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| LWL | 11.5 | — | — | 13.8 | 12.8 | 13.1 |
| Beam | 5.3 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| Displacement | 550 | 185 | 750 | 310 | 400 | 325 |
| Ballast | 75 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sail Area | — | 135 | 160 | 111 | 122 | 125 |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | — | 66.6 | 31.1 | 38.8 | 36.0 | 42.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 13.6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 1.9 | 7.3 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Capsize | — | 4.51 | 2.94 | 3.55 | 3.26 | 3.20 |
| Hull Speed | — | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 |