The Falcon 35 Westerly 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 27.0′, the Falcon 35 Westerly tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.0′ LWL = 7.0 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
14.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
46.3%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
319
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
26.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.03
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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
26.4
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
2.03
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 Falcon 35 Westerly sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Moody 346
156s/nm
Contest 35S
165s/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 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (14.9), 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 Falcon 35 Westerly — 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 Falcon 35 Westerly.
|
Falcon 35 Westerly |
Contest 35S |
Jeanneau 342 |
Kestrel 35 Westerly |
Moody 346 |
Riviera 35 Westerly |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.6 |
34.6 |
34.5 |
34.6 |
34.5 |
34.6 |
| LWL |
27.0 |
28.6 |
29.5 |
27.0 |
27.9 |
27.5 |
| Beam |
12.3 |
11.2 |
11.8 |
12.3 |
11.6 |
12.3 |
| Displacement |
14 |
13 |
12 |
14 |
11 |
15 |
| Ballast |
6 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
540 |
657 |
570 |
560 |
— |
580 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
165 |
— |
— |
156 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
14.9 |
19.0 |
16.8 |
15.4 |
— |
15.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
46.3 |
42.3 |
35.1 |
40.5 |
40.2 |
34.8 |
| Comfort |
26.4 |
26.7 |
23.2 |
26.5 |
— |
28.2 |
| Capsize |
2.03 |
1.90 |
2.04 |
2.03 |
— |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
7.2 |
7.3 |
7.0 |
— |
7.0 |