The Young Sun 43 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 35.3′, the Young Sun 43 tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √35.3′ LWL = 8.0 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
17.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
47.7
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.58
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
47.7
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.58
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 Young Sun 43 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Taswell 43
108s/nm
Hans Christian 43
150s/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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.0 kts),
SA/D (17.3), 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 Young Sun 43 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Young Sun 43.
|
Young Sun 43 |
Ct 43 |
Formosa 44 |
Hans Christian 43 |
Slocum 43 |
Taswell 43 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
42.7 |
42.7 |
42.7 |
42.6 |
42.5 |
42.8 |
| LWL |
35.3 |
33.9 |
35.6 |
36.8 |
35.8 |
38.3 |
| Beam |
12.9 |
13.0 |
13.0 |
13.8 |
12.9 |
13.7 |
| Displacement |
35 |
23 |
34 |
31 |
28 |
23 |
| Ballast |
10 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
820 |
1 |
894 |
810 |
860 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
150 |
— |
108 |
| SA/Disp |
17.3 |
15.9 |
17.2 |
14.4 |
14.1 |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
39.5 |
28.9 |
39.1 |
32.0 |
40.9 |
| Comfort |
47.7 |
33.1 |
47.1 |
38.2 |
38.0 |
28.2 |
| Capsize |
1.58 |
1.81 |
1.59 |
1.76 |
1.70 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
8.0 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
8.1 |
8.0 |
8.3 |