The Bayfield 36 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, 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 30.5′, the Bayfield 36 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.5′ 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
192s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
16.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
35.1%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
291
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
32.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
17.6
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
32.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Bayfield 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Cs 36 Merlin
126s/nm
Cape George 36
180s/nm
Bayfield 36
192s/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° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (16.9), 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 Bayfield 36 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Bayfield 36.
|
Bayfield 36 |
Cape George 36 |
Contessa 36 Allied |
Cs 36 Merlin |
Tashiba 36 Ph |
Vancouver 36 Harris |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
| LWL |
30.5 |
31.5 |
27.5 |
29.2 |
30.4 |
27.9 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
10.5 |
11.0 |
11.5 |
11.8 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
18 |
23 |
14 |
13 |
20 |
18 |
| Ballast |
6 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
738 |
806 |
604 |
608 |
705 |
685 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
192 |
180 |
— |
126 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.9 |
15.9 |
16.4 |
17.7 |
15.2 |
16.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
35.1 |
45.1 |
34.7 |
43.0 |
43.0 |
— |
| Comfort |
32.5 |
47.8 |
30.4 |
24.9 |
36.8 |
37.7 |
| Capsize |
1.82 |
1.47 |
1.81 |
1.96 |
1.72 |
1.68 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.5 |
7.0 |
7.2 |
7.4 |
7.1 |