What makes a boat "fast?" It's an interesting question, because fruits
like Sloco seem to think it's about PHRF records...which would make my
boat faster than a C&C99! But PHRF is simply a handicapping system
designed to let a slow boat race against a fast one. Assuming you have
a rating that is fare (and many aren't) it's a measure of the crew and
NOT the boat, just like one class racing. Hey, PHRF is fine. Without it
most people can't have fun racing unless they own a very popular hull,
but no matter how you dress it, it's far far FAR from real racing.
Sloco won't admit to this...his life depends on PHRF because he owns a
boat that failed in production. And to be honest, even the successful
35s5 (well over 400 hulls) can't find enough sisters to get a big race
going...just 2 or 3 in my area and only one close by.
So to have a fast boat we can look at PHRF as a rough indicator of
comparative performance, but there are plenty of Catalina 27 PHRF wins.
Does this make it a fast boat among 27 foot cruisers? Sloco and Dave
would like to think so.
The term "performance cruiser" is tossed around with ease by builders
these days and the type of performance can mean anything. If you're
looking for speed and light air ability with good accommodations, my
35s5 is nicer than a new Catalina 34 or 38 and a brand new Jeaneau is
going to be nicer than either.
So is a CS27 a fast boat? Nope...not among other 27 footers. It's
slightly faster than average at best.
Is a 35s5 a fast boat? For her size I'd prefer to call her quick
because in her size range there are boats like the slightly larger 36XL
Is a Express 30 a fast boat? She's quick...not fast. Ugly and dated,
but not slow.

Now in strict terms of boat speed, the 35s5 is simply faster than the
Express 30, CS27, Nordica 30, Redcloud Turtle 43, Sadlittleman 30,
Kirie Elite 32, Catalina 28 and so on. The ONLY way any of these boats
"beats" a 35s5 is with the desperate handicap. In the real world I sail
the fastest monohull here and that's a fact.

Sorry, folks!


RB
35s5
NY