The Farr 36 1990 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 28.9′, the Farr 36 1990 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.9′ LWL = 7.2 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
23.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
49.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
154
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
16.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.24
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
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
16.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.24
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 Farr 36 1990 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Farr 36 Od 2002
9s/nm
Bh 36
54s/nm
Sydney 36
57s/nm
Dehler 36 Db
84s/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° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
7.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (23.7), 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 Farr 36 1990 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Farr 36 1990.
|
Farr 36 1990 |
Bh 36 |
Dehler 36 Db |
Farr 36 Od 2002 |
Sweden Yachts 36 |
Sydney 36 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.1 |
36.1 |
36.1 |
36.1 |
36.1 |
36.1 |
| LWL |
28.9 |
32.0 |
29.5 |
32.8 |
29.5 |
32.0 |
| Beam |
11.3 |
11.3 |
11.5 |
11.7 |
12.0 |
11.3 |
| Displacement |
8 |
10 |
13 |
6 |
14 |
10 |
| Ballast |
4 |
— |
— |
3 |
5 |
— |
| Sail Area |
605 |
678 |
687 |
552 |
— |
678 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
54 |
84 |
9 |
— |
57 |
| SA/Disp |
23.7 |
22.7 |
19.8 |
24.8 |
— |
22.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.7 |
— |
— |
45.6 |
41.6 |
— |
| Comfort |
16.3 |
19.4 |
25.0 |
11.6 |
— |
19.4 |
| Capsize |
2.24 |
2.06 |
1.95 |
2.49 |
— |
2.06 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.6 |
7.3 |
7.7 |
— |
7.6 |