The Centurion 36 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 28.8′, the Centurion 36 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.8′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
22.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
33.6%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
300
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
28.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.96
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
28.4
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
1.96
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 Centurion 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Mumm 36
45s/nm
J/109
78s/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° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.2 |
7.0 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.4 |
6.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (22.7), 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 Centurion 36 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Centurion 36.
|
Centurion 36 |
First 36S7 Beneteau |
J/109 |
Mumm 36 |
Sun Dance 36 Jeanneau |
Sun Odyssey 36 Jeanneau |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.7 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
35.8 |
| LWL |
28.8 |
31.1 |
30.3 |
31.8 |
30.8 |
30.8 |
| Beam |
12.3 |
12.4 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
12.1 |
12.1 |
| Displacement |
16 |
11 |
11 |
8 |
12 |
12 |
| Ballast |
5 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
902 |
660 |
626 |
644 |
570 |
602 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
78 |
45 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
22.7 |
20.6 |
18.6 |
25.5 |
16.8 |
17.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
33.6 |
31.2 |
43.5 |
42.9 |
36.9 |
35.1 |
| Comfort |
28.4 |
19.4 |
28.1 |
14.2 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.96 |
2.19 |
1.63 |
2.36 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.5 |
8.6 |
7.6 |
— |
— |