What is the Buchan 37's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Buchan 37 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.37. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Buchan 37's comfort ratio?

The Buchan 37 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 31.62. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Buchan 37 safe for offshore sailing?

The Buchan 37 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.67. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Buchan 37?

The theoretical hull speed of the Buchan 37 is 6.99 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Buchan 37 weigh?

The Buchan 37 has a displacement of 12,800.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 37.00 ft.

How much does a used Buchan 37 cost?

Based on 2 recent market listings, used Buchan 37 sailboats typically sell for between $8,950 and $8,950, with a median asking price of $8,950. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Buchan 37?

The Buchan 37 was designed by Bill Buchan Sr. & John Buchan, first built in 1965.

Buchan 37 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Buchan 37 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.0 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 27.2′, the Buchan 37 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √27.2′ LWL = 7.0 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

144s/nm

Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.

SA / Displacement

18.4

Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.

Ballast / Displacement

46.1%

Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.

Displacement / Length

285

Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.

Comfort Ratio

31.6

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Capsize Screening

1.67

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

7.0kts

S# (Speed Number)

2.0

Pounds/Inch Immersion

947lbs

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

31.6

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

1.67

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 Buchan 37 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

C&C 37 60s/nm

Buchan 37 144s/nm Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.

Soverel 37 168s/nm

Tartan 37 174s/nm

Black Watch 37 177s/nm

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	4.1	4.3
Close Reach60°	3.5	4.4	4.9	5.2
Beam Reach90°	4.3	5.4	6.1	6.3
Broad Reach120–135°	4.0	5.0	5.6	5.8
Run150–180°	3.2	4.0	4.5	4.7

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts), SA/D (18.4), 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 Buchan 37 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–6 kts 6–20 kts 20–30 kts 30+ kts

Ghosting

0–6 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

6–20 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

20–30 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

30+ 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 Buchan 37.

	Buchan 37	Black Watch 37	C&C 37	Irwin 37 1	Soverel 37	Tartan 37
Dimensions
LOA	37.0	37.0	—	37.0	37.0	37.0
LWL	27.2	25.0	—	30.0	31.0	25.5
Beam	9.8	10.5	—	11.5	9.3	10.5
Displacement	12	15	—	18	12	14
Ballast	5	4	—	6	4	4
Sail Area	626	597	—	558	—	654
Performance
PHRF	144	177	60	—	168	174
SA/Disp	18.4	15.4	—	13.1	—	17.6
Bal/Disp	46.1	27.1	—	37.2	33.3	—
Comfort	31.6	36.6	—	33.5	—	34.0
Capsize	1.67	1.69	—	1.76	—	1.72
Hull Speed	7.0	6.7	—	7.3	—	6.8