The Dickerson 35 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, 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 26.8′, the Dickerson 35 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.8′ LWL = 6.9 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
204s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
18.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
33.3%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
277
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
27.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
14.0
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
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
27.9
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
1.82
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 Dickerson 35 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Knutson 35
195s/nm
Ct 35
198s/nm
Dickerson 35
204s/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° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (18.1), 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 Dickerson 35 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Dickerson 35.
|
Dickerson 35 |
Alc 35 Le Comte |
Cooper 353 |
Ct 35 |
Knutson 35 |
Spencer 35 Mk I |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
| LWL |
26.8 |
26.2 |
28.5 |
26.8 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
10.4 |
10.0 |
12.0 |
11.2 |
9.8 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
12 |
12 |
13 |
16 |
17 |
12 |
| Ballast |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
590 |
569 |
560 |
483 |
571 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
204 |
— |
— |
198 |
195 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
18.1 |
17.4 |
16.3 |
11.8 |
13.9 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
33.3 |
48.3 |
36.2 |
31.4 |
— |
35.0 |
| Comfort |
27.9 |
30.0 |
24.1 |
35.9 |
44.7 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.82 |
1.75 |
2.05 |
1.74 |
1.53 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
6.9 |
6.7 |
— |