The RH 43 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The RH 43, a masthead sloop, was designed by Ron Holland and built in Taiwan by Ta Chiao Shipbuilding.

'Wild Matilda', an RH43 cruising sloop designed by Ron Holland.

A RH43 Cruising Sloop

Published Specification for the RH 43

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 42'8" (13.0m)

Waterline Length: 33'10" (10.3m)

Beam: 13'0" (4.0m)

Draft: 6'9" (2.1m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 23,780lb (10,787kg)

Designer: Ron Holland

Builder: Ta Chiao Shipbuilding (Taiwan)

Year First Built: 1985

Published Design Ratios for the RH 43

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.7

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: 39.5

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 274

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 33.1

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: 1.8

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

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the RH 43

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.7 suggests that the RH 43 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 39.5 means that the RH 43 will initially stand up reasonably well to her canvas in a moderate breeze, but she'll need a reef in the main to avoid heeling excessively in a gust.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 274 tells us the RH 43 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 33.1 suggests that crew comfort of a RH 43 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a RH 43 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.