The Ericson 36C is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club 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 30.0′, the Ericson 36C tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.0′ LWL = 7.3 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
135s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
13.5
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
33.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
284
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
30.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.86
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
30.5
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
1.86
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 Ericson 36C sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Cs 36 Merlin
126s/nm
C&C 36
132s/nm
Ericson 36C
135s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Catalina 36 Mkii
144s/nm
Sabre 36
144s/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° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.1 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.3 kts),
SA/D (13.5), 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 Ericson 36C — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 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 Ericson 36C.
|
Ericson 36C |
C&C 36 |
Catalina 36 Mkii |
Cs 36 Merlin |
S2 110 C |
Sabre 36 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.3 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
| LWL |
30.0 |
— |
31.0 |
29.2 |
28.3 |
29.3 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
— |
12.0 |
11.5 |
11.9 |
11.3 |
| Displacement |
17 |
— |
14 |
13 |
16 |
13 |
| Ballast |
5 |
— |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
558 |
— |
625 |
608 |
625 |
610 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
135 |
132 |
144 |
126 |
— |
144 |
| SA/Disp |
13.5 |
— |
16.5 |
17.7 |
15.8 |
17.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
33.7 |
— |
40.3 |
43.0 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
30.5 |
— |
25.6 |
24.9 |
29.8 |
25.9 |
| Capsize |
1.86 |
— |
1.95 |
1.96 |
1.90 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
7.3 |
— |
7.5 |
7.2 |
7.1 |
7.3 |