The Defender 35 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 29.1′, the Defender 35 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.1′ 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
18.4
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
46.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
163
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.07
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
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
19.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.07
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Defender 35 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Dufour 35
120s/nm
Maxi 108
147s/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° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.3 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 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 Defender 35 — 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 Defender 35.
|
Defender 35 |
Dufour 35 |
First 35 Beneteau |
Maxi 108 |
Nicholson 35 1 |
Rustler 36 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.3 |
35.3 |
35.2 |
35.3 |
35.3 |
35.3 |
| LWL |
29.1 |
27.8 |
28.8 |
29.9 |
26.8 |
26.9 |
| Beam |
10.8 |
11.3 |
12.2 |
11.2 |
10.4 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
8 |
13 |
10 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
| Ballast |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
495 |
551 |
555 |
609 |
698 |
693 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
120 |
— |
147 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
18.4 |
15.3 |
18.6 |
16.6 |
17.9 |
17.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
46.7 |
41.6 |
46.3 |
— |
46.9 |
45.3 |
| Comfort |
19.0 |
28.2 |
18.9 |
28.3 |
36.4 |
36.2 |
| Capsize |
2.07 |
1.89 |
2.23 |
1.84 |
1.67 |
1.72 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
7.3 |
6.9 |
7.0 |