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🧮 Sailing Calculators

Five free calculators for sailboat owners — from anchor rode to boat loans. All results update instantly as you type. Bookmark this page for quick access at the dock or while planning your next passage.

⚓ Anchor Scope ⚖ Ballast Ratio ⛵ Sail Area / Displacement 💰 Boat Loan & Ownership Cost 🖌 Bottom Paint Schedule

Anchor Scope Calculator

Enter your anchorage conditions to get minimum, recommended, and storm-condition rode lengths.

feet (at low tide / worst case)
feet of expected tide rise
feet from water to bow chock
Minimum Rode
Recommended
Storm Scope
Total Vertical

Results based on standard scope ratios: all-chain 4:1 min / 7:1 rec / 10:1 storm; combo 5:1 / 7:1 / 10:1; all-nylon 7:1 / 10:1 / 15:1. Always verify holding in your actual anchorage. Puget Sound currents can require extra scope.

Ballast Ratio Calculator

Calculate your boat's ballast ratio and displacement/length ratio — key indicators of stability and sailing character.

pounds
pounds (keel weight only)
feet (for D/L ratio)
Ballast Ratio
D/L Ratio
Category
Ballast Ratio Scale (typical range 25%–50%)
25%30%35%40%45%50%+

Ballast ratio = ballast ÷ displacement × 100. D/L ratio = displacement(lbs) ÷ 64 ÷ (0.01 × LWL)³. Both are indicators — offshore suitability depends on many factors including hull form, righting moment, and freeboard.

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

The SA/D ratio tells you how much "go" a boat has relative to its weight — useful for comparing designs.

square feet (mainsail + 100% jib)
pounds

Find these on SailboatData.com for your specific model.

SA/D Ratio
Boat Type
SA/D Scale (motorsailer ← → racing)
<1416182022+

SA/D = Sail Area ÷ (Displacement÷64)^(2/3). Uses 100% foretriangle — actual upwind performance with a 150% genoa will be higher. A boat with SA/D of 15 with a full roach main and 150% genoa can sail like an 18 SA/D boat.

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Boat Loan & Total Ownership Cost

See your monthly loan payment and the full picture of what owning a sailboat actually costs per month and per year.

dollars
dollars
% APR (used boat: typically 7–12%)
dollars (one-time)
dollars / year (est. 1–2% of value)
dollars / month
dollars / year (est. 3–5% of value)
Monthly Loan Payment
Total Monthly Cost
Annual Cost
Total Interest Paid
Loan amount
Monthly loan payment
Monthly insurance
Monthly slip / moorage
Monthly maintenance
▶ Total monthly cost of ownership
First-year total (add survey)
Total interest over loan term

Loan payment uses standard amortization formula. Insurance estimate: 1–2% of value/year. Maintenance budget varies widely — budget 3–5% of purchase price annually for an older production boat. Haulout, bottom paint, and unexpected repairs are not included.

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Bottom Paint & Haul-Out Schedule

Based on your region, paint type, and sailing frequency — get a recommended cleaning and haul-out schedule.

In-Water Cleaning Interval
Haul-Out Interval
Next Haul-Out Due

Schedules are guidelines — actual fouling depends on water temperature, boat movement, and paint condition. Washington State: only hard antifouling paints may be cleaned in-water; ablative paints must be hauled out to clean. See WA Hull Care Guide for full regulations.