The Normandy Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Normandy Sailboat

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: Wood

Length Overall: 27'8" (8.4m)

Waterline Length: 21'5" (6.5m)

Beam: 7'8" (2.3m)

Draft: 5'3" (1.6m)

Rig Type: Fractional Sloop

Displacement: 7,700lb (3,493kg)

Designer: Laurent Giles

Builder: Jack Laurent Giles (UK)

Year First Built: 1955

Year Last Built: 1970

Number Built: 29

Published Design Ratios for the Normandy Sailboat

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.6

• 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: Not available

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 351

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 34.1

• 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: 1.55

• 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 Normandy Sailboat

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.6 suggests that the Normandy sailboat 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. The Ballast/Displacement Ratio is not published.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 351, tells us the Normandy sailboat is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. 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 34.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Normandy sailboat 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 1.55 indicates that a Normandy sailboat would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.