The Cape Dory 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 27.0′, the Cape Dory 36 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.0′ 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
165s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
37.6%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
365
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
35.7
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.69
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
35.7
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
1.69
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 Cape Dory 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Sabre 362
114s/nm
Lancer 36
131s/nm
Islander 36
144s/nm
Cape Dory 36
165s/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° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (15.7), 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 Cape Dory 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 Cape Dory 36.
|
Cape Dory 36 |
Islander 36 |
Lancer 36 |
Peterson 36 |
Sabre 362 |
Tiburon 36 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.1 |
36.1 |
36.2 |
36.1 |
36.2 |
36.2 |
| LWL |
27.0 |
28.3 |
29.0 |
31.5 |
30.4 |
29.3 |
| Beam |
10.7 |
11.2 |
11.8 |
10.5 |
12.0 |
11.4 |
| Displacement |
16 |
13 |
10 |
16 |
13 |
21 |
| Ballast |
6 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
622 |
576 |
558 |
— |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
165 |
144 |
131 |
— |
114 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.7 |
16.4 |
18.7 |
— |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
37.6 |
— |
38.1 |
37.5 |
40.0 |
33.3 |
| Comfort |
35.7 |
27.3 |
19.6 |
— |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
1.88 |
2.15 |
— |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
— |
— |
— |