The Bavaria 36 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.8′, the Bavaria 36 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.8′ LWL = 7.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
21.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
33.2%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
180
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
20.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.12
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1,330lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
20.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.12
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Bavaria 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
C&C 36
132s/nm
Catalina 36 Mkii
144s/nm
Sabre 36
144s/nm
Bavaria 36
156s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
7.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
7.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (21.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Bavaria 36 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Bavaria 36.
|
Bavaria 36 |
C&C 36 |
Catalina 36 Mkii |
First 36.7 Beneteau |
Oceanis 361 Beneteau |
Sabre 36 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.3 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
| LWL |
30.8 |
— |
31.0 |
— |
— |
29.3 |
| Beam |
12.1 |
— |
12.0 |
— |
— |
11.3 |
| Displacement |
11,817 |
— |
14 |
— |
— |
13 |
| Ballast |
3,924 |
— |
6 |
— |
— |
5 |
| Sail Area |
682 |
— |
625 |
— |
— |
610 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
156 |
132 |
144 |
— |
— |
144 |
| SA/Disp |
21.1 |
— |
16.5 |
— |
— |
17.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
33.2 |
— |
40.3 |
— |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
20.1 |
— |
25.6 |
— |
— |
25.9 |
| Capsize |
2.12 |
— |
1.95 |
— |
— |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
— |
7.5 |
— |
— |
7.3 |