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Chinook 37
Designer: S. C. Huntingford  ·  Builder: Philbrooks Shipyard Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Chinook 37

Designed by S.C. Huntingford and built by Canada's Philbrooks Shipyard starting in 1974, this masthead sloop represents solid 1970s cruising boat philosophy with an emphasis on seaworthiness and comfort. The generous beam of 11.67 feet provides excellent interior volume and initial stability, while the substantial displacement of 18,600 pounds with 8,000 pounds of ballast creates a reassuring motion in seaway conditions. The fin keel with rudder-on-skeg configuration offers a good balance between performance and directional stability, making this boat well-suited for coastal cruising and extended passages. With a comfort ratio of 33.05, the Chinook 37 prioritizes motion comfort over pure speed, though the sail area to displacement ratio of 14.66 provides adequate performance in light to moderate conditions. The hull speed of 7.49 knots and capsize screening value of 1.77 indicate this is a boat designed for serious cruising rather than racing, with ocean-crossing capability when properly equipped. The fiberglass construction and Canadian build quality have contributed to the model's reputation for durability. Powered by a 65-horsepower engine, the boat offers reliable auxiliary propulsion for maneuvering in tight quarters or when winds fail.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
Beam 11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 18,600.00 lb / 8,437 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 641.00 ft² / 59.55 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer S. C. Huntingford
Builder Philbrooks Shipyard Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1974
Related Sailboats ["Irwin 37 3" · "Endeavour 37" · "Gulfstar 37" · "Esprit 37" · "Valiant 37"]
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Performance Ratios
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
 14.66
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 43.01
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
 272.09
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
 33.05
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
 1.77
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. 7.49 kn
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. 1,303.07 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Ford
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 65
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
How It Compares

vs. Endeavour 37, Esprit 37, Gulfstar 37

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Chinook 37 ★
37.0 ft
Endeavour 37
37.0 ft
Esprit 37
37.0 ft
Gulfstar 37
37.0 ft
LWL
Chinook 37 ★
31.3 ft
Endeavour 37
30.0 ft
Esprit 37
31.6 ft
Gulfstar 37
32.0 ft
Beam
Chinook 37 ★
11.7 ft
Endeavour 37
11.6 ft
Esprit 37
11.5 ft
Gulfstar 37
11.8 ft
Displacement
Chinook 37 ★
18 lbs
Endeavour 37
20 lbs
Esprit 37
17 lbs
Gulfstar 37
19 lbs
Ballast
Chinook 37 ★
8 lbs
Endeavour 37
8 lbs
Esprit 37
6 lbs
Gulfstar 37
8 lbs
Sail Area
Chinook 37 ★
641 sq ft
Endeavour 37
—
Esprit 37
667 sq ft
Gulfstar 37
614 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Chinook 37 ★
—
Endeavour 37
174 s/nm
Esprit 37
150 s/nm
Gulfstar 37
153 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Chinook 37 ★
14.7
Endeavour 37
—
Esprit 37
16.2
Gulfstar 37
13.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Chinook 37 ★
43.0 %
Endeavour 37
40.0 %
Esprit 37
—
Gulfstar 37
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Chinook 37 ★
33.1
Endeavour 37
—
Esprit 37
30.6
Gulfstar 37
33.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Chinook 37 ★
1.77
Endeavour 37
—
Esprit 37
1.79
Gulfstar 37
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Chinook 37 ★
272
Endeavour 37
330
Esprit 37
—
Gulfstar 37
—
Hull Speed
Chinook 37 ★
7.5 kts
Endeavour 37
—
Esprit 37
7.5 kts
Gulfstar 37
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Chinook 37 ★
—
Endeavour 37
—
Esprit 37
2.2
Gulfstar 37
1.8
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