The Saga 43 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Saga 43, a double-headed masthead sloop, was designed by Robert Perry and built in Canada by Saga Yachts.

'Kinship', a Solent-Rigged Saga 43 Sailboat

The Saga 43's short bowsprit makes it ideal for the Solent Rig.

Published Specification for the Saga 43

Underwater Profile: Bulb fin keel and spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 43'3" (13.2m)

Waterline Length: 38'11" (11.9m)

Beam: 12'0" (3.7m)

Draft: 6'3" (1.9m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 19,842lb (9,000kg)

Designer: Robert Perry

Builder: Saga Yachts (Canada)

Year First Built: 1996

Number Built: 55

Published Design Ratios for the Saga 43

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.9

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: 39.3

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 150

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 27.9

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 Saga 43

eBook: How to Avoid Buying the Wrong Sailboat

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.9 suggests that, in the right hands, the Saga 43 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 39.3 would usually mean that the xxxxx would have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

However, as she carries much of her ballast concentrated in a bulb at the foot of the keel, she's likely to be considerably stiffer than her published Ballast/Displacement Ratio might suggest.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 150, tells us the Saga 43 is clearly a light displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 27.9 suggests that crew comfort of a Saga 43 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

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