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Bh 36
Designer: Murray Burns Dovell  ·  Builder: Bashford & Howison (Aus)  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Bh 36

Built by Australian shipyard Bashford & Howison beginning in 1995, this 36-footer represents thoughtful design work from Murray Burns Dovell, emphasizing performance-oriented cruising capabilities. The composite construction delivers a robust platform suited for serious coastal and offshore sailing adventures. With its fin keel and bulb configuration paired with a spade rudder, the design prioritizes responsive handling and efficient upwind performance. The masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail handling while generating impressive power from its generous sail plan. At 10,475 pounds displacement, she strikes an appealing balance between the stability needed for offshore passages and the lighter weight that enhances performance in varied conditions. The boat's proportions reveal a design focused on sailing efficiency rather than maximum interior volume. Her deeper draft and relatively narrow beam suggest she'll reward sailors who appreciate a boat that sails well rather than one that prioritizes living space. The low comfort ratio indicates a firm, responsive motion that serious sailors often prefer over a softer ride. This combination of Australian build quality, thoughtful design, and performance-oriented specifications makes the BH 36 particularly appealing to experienced sailors seeking a capable vessel for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages where sailing ability takes precedence over creature comforts.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.08 ft / 11.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Displacement 10,475.00 lb / 4,751 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 678.00 ft² / 62.99 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Composite
Designer Murray Burns Dovell
Builder Bashford & Howison (AUS)
First Built 1995
Related Sailboats ["Sydney 36" · "Farr 36 1990" · "Tripp 36" · "Dehler 36 Db" · "Frers 36"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 54
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 22.74
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 142.71
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 19.4
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.06
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.58 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 4.27
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,286.32 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 22.75
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 49.41 ft / 15.06 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.93 ft / 4.25 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.24 ft / 13.18 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.46 ft / 4.71 m
SA Fore 344.14 ft² / 31.97 m²
SA Main 334.25 ft² / 31.05 m²
SA Total (100%) 678.39 ft² / 63.02 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.34 ft / 15.65 m
How It Compares

vs. Dehler 36 Db, Farr 36 1990, Tripp 36

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bh 36 ★
36.1 ft
Dehler 36 Db
36.1 ft
Farr 36 1990
36.1 ft
Tripp 36
36.0 ft
LWL
Bh 36 ★
32.0 ft
Dehler 36 Db
29.5 ft
Farr 36 1990
28.9 ft
Tripp 36
29.9 ft
Beam
Bh 36 ★
11.3 ft
Dehler 36 Db
11.5 ft
Farr 36 1990
11.3 ft
Tripp 36
11.3 ft
Displacement
Bh 36 ★
10 lbs
Dehler 36 Db
13 lbs
Farr 36 1990
8 lbs
Tripp 36
9 lbs
Ballast
Bh 36 ★
—
Dehler 36 Db
—
Farr 36 1990
4 lbs
Tripp 36
4 lbs
Sail Area
Bh 36 ★
678 sq ft
Dehler 36 Db
687 sq ft
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Bh 36 ★
54 s/nm
Dehler 36 Db
84 s/nm
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
72 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bh 36 ★
22.7
Dehler 36 Db
19.8
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Bh 36 ★
—
Dehler 36 Db
—
Farr 36 1990
49.7 %
Tripp 36
46.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bh 36 ★
19.4
Dehler 36 Db
25.0
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bh 36 ★
2.06
Dehler 36 Db
1.95
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bh 36 ★
142
Dehler 36 Db
—
Farr 36 1990
153
Tripp 36
161
Hull Speed
Bh 36 ★
7.6 kts
Dehler 36 Db
7.3 kts
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bh 36 ★
4.3
Dehler 36 Db
2.7
Farr 36 1990
—
Tripp 36
—
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