The Hinckley 48 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Hinckley 48

Underwater Configuration: Long keel with centreboard

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 48'3" (14.7m)

Waterline Length: 34'2" (10'4")

Beam: 13.0" (4.0m)

Draft: Max 11'9" (3.6m), Min 5'2" (1.6m)

Rig Type: Yawl (also produced as a sloop)

Displacement: 36,000lb (16,330kg)

Designer: William H Trip

Builder: Henry Hinckley & Company (US)

Year First Built: 1965

Year Last Built: 1974

Number Built: 8

Published Design Ratios for the Hinckley 48

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.0

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 29.4

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 403

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 47.6

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Hinckley 48

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 15.0 suggests that the Hinckley 48 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 29.4 means that Hinckley 48 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 403, tells us the Hinckley 48 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 47.6 suggests that crew comfort of a Hinckley 48 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Hinckley 48 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.