The Excalibur 36 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 26.3′, the Excalibur 36 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.3′ 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.
SA / Displacement
17.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
333
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
33.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.67
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
929lbs
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
33.8
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
1.67
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 Excalibur 36 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Soverel 36 1965
114s/nm
Creekmore 36
183s/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° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (17.3), 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 Excalibur 36 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Excalibur 36.
|
Excalibur 36 |
Bowman 36 |
Contessa 36 Allied |
Creekmore 36 |
Sigma 36 Ss |
Soverel 36 1965 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
| LWL |
26.3 |
26.7 |
27.5 |
30.0 |
29.0 |
27.5 |
| Beam |
9.9 |
11.3 |
11.0 |
9.7 |
10.3 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
13 |
19 |
14 |
14 |
15 |
12 |
| Ballast |
5 |
— |
5 |
5 |
7 |
— |
| Sail Area |
610 |
552 |
604 |
— |
545 |
718 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
183 |
— |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
17.3 |
12.2 |
16.4 |
— |
14.4 |
22.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.7 |
— |
34.7 |
35.7 |
52.0 |
— |
| Comfort |
33.8 |
40.3 |
30.4 |
33.1 |
33.6 |
25.3 |
| Capsize |
1.67 |
1.69 |
1.81 |
1.61 |
1.67 |
1.93 |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
6.9 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
7.2 |
7.0 |