The Contest 37 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 31.1′, the Contest 37 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.1′ LWL = 7.5 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
17.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
30.4%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
311
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
36.0
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.74
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
36.0
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
1.74
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 Contest 37 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
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° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (17.7), 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 Contest 37 — 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 Contest 37.
|
Contest 37 |
Centurion 38 |
Cr 380 Ds |
Dufour Classic 38 |
Najad 371 |
Opium 39 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.7 |
37.7 |
37.7 |
37.6 |
37.7 |
37.6 |
| LWL |
31.1 |
31.2 |
32.0 |
32.5 |
31.8 |
36.2 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
12.5 |
11.9 |
12.3 |
11.5 |
13.7 |
| Displacement |
21 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
19 |
12 |
| Ballast |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
8 |
— |
| Sail Area |
840 |
682 |
839 |
847 |
600 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
108 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.7 |
14.8 |
20.4 |
24.0 |
13.2 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
30.4 |
31.2 |
40.3 |
34.2 |
41.1 |
— |
| Comfort |
36.0 |
32.5 |
28.7 |
21.7 |
35.4 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.74 |
1.84 |
1.86 |
2.07 |
1.70 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.6 |
7.6 |
— |