The Dufour 36 Performance is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, 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 33.5′, the Dufour 36 Performance tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.5′ LWL = 7.8 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
29.7%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
168
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
23.5
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
1,585lbs
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
23.5
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 Dufour 36 Performance 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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 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 Dufour 36 Performance — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–18 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 Dufour 36 Performance.
|
Dufour 36 Performance |
Beneteau First 36.7 |
Dehler 34 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.0 |
36.0 |
33.1 |
| LWL |
33.5 |
30.3 |
27.2 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
11.3 |
11.2 |
| Displacement |
14,110 |
— |
8 |
| Ballast |
4,190 |
— |
3 |
| Sail Area |
647 |
— |
492 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
132 |
| SA/Disp |
17.7 |
— |
18.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
29.7 |
— |
45.0 |
| Comfort |
23.5 |
— |
18.9 |
| Capsize |
1.96 |
— |
2.16 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.4 |
7.0 |