Displacement–length ratio

The displacement–length ratio (DLR or D/L ratio) is a calculation used to express how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length.

DLR was first published in

It is calculated by dividing a boat's displacement in long tons (2,240 pounds) by the cube of one one-hundredth of the waterline length (in feet):

DLR can be used to compare the relative mass of various boats no matter what their length. A DLR less than 200 is indicative of a racing boat, while a DLR greater than 300 or so is indicative of a heavy cruising boat.

+ Displacement DLR ultralight under 90 light 90 to 180 moderate 180 to 270 heavy 270 to 360 ultraheavy 360 and up

See also Sail Area-Displacement ratio

References